Sorry Jeff, for breaking in on your thread ones more. You closed it off, but for me an interesting point revealed itself here, namely the aging catsailor who catches troubles with his tendons and joints.

In fact I should open a new topic about this subject but let me first throw a feeler about this here.

You and Mn3 were so honest to confess that body-problems influence your catsailing. Let me asure you are not alone !
Knowing this forum a bit by now, I guess that there a lot of catsailors here who are round or above fifty's.
So, unless blessed with wonderfull genes, most of us will encounter this invisible zone (which finally will finish atleast your catsailing period ).

Problem is that a lot of us don't recognise the omen of this phenomenon. Especially for the guys between 40 and 50 years (peak years of a trained man !) this is a non-subject which they loudly avoid (ofcourse with the usual macchismo).

But it is really worthwile to discuss about the implications on the catsailing itself and the necessary adaptations on your boat. Righting after capsizing, climbing abord, sailing with the sheets cleated, etc, etc are all parts of the sport which become more difficult with age.

I, speaking for myself , had to go already years ago on this road. Most unwillingly, but forced by bad genes and some bad use of my body in wild circumstances. So I have to pay the price now and each year I seriously wonder how long it will still go on the Northsea.

It keeps me wondering to other catsailors who are also (just) arriving in this "grey-zone".

ronald
born 1946