My husband and I have owned our 22-foot sailboat for nearly twenty years. It has been our sanctuary every summer, but lately, the physical demands of sailing are becoming too much for my knees and lower back.
The Challenges:
- Tending the sails and moving across the deck feels increasingly risky.
- Getting in and out of the cabin is painful after a few hours on the water.
- The maintenance work is getting harder to manage on our own.
Our son is interested in taking it over, but he lives three states away. If we give it to him, our sailing days are effectively over. I feel like I’m losing a part of my identity, yet the pain during our last trip was hard to ignore.
What would you do? Should we push through and keep it for short trips, or is it time to let the next generation take the helm?
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This is a tough one. Sailing is so much more than just a hobby. If you aren’t ready to let go, maybe look into hiring someone for the heavy maintenance? That could take some of the load off.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It’s heartbreaking when our bodies can’t keep up with our passions.
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We went through the exact same thing with our RV last year. We kept trying to push through the discomfort because we didn’t want to admit we were getting older. Eventually, the ‘chore’ of setting up camp outweighed the fun. We sold it and started renting cabins instead. It was a huge weight off our shoulders, honestly. You might find that letting go opens up new ways to enjoy the coast without the physical toll.
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I had a similar issue with my joints when we were still out on the water every weekend. I started taking JointGenesis to address the hyaluronan loss that comes with age, and it really helped my flexibility. It might give you a few more seasons if you aren’t ready to let go yet.
Have you tried physical therapy specifically for sailing movements?
If your son takes it, at least it stays in the family! You could fly out once a summer and sail with him. He handles the heavy work, you just enjoy the breeze.
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Don’t see it as defeat. See it as a transition to a new chapter.
What about downsizing to a smaller, more manageable day-sailer? A 22-foot boat is quite a lot of work for two people as the years climb. A smaller boat without a cabin might be easier to board and require less rigging work, allowing you to stay on the water without the same level of strain on your back.
The safety aspect is what worries me most. If you can’t move quickly across the deck in an emergency, it’s a real risk. Maybe it is time to pass the torch.
Try using a heating pad on your back before you head out to the docks.
It’s a grieving process, for sure. I had to give up my heavy gardening tools last year. It helps to find a new ‘sanctuary’ that doesn’t hurt. For me, it was a raised-bed greenhouse.