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Senior on a Cat
#134129
07/01/2017 09:04 AM
07/01/2017 09:04 AM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 35 MARYLAND
Crown31
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 35
MARYLAND
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I'm finally able to take my Dad on his dream trip, 1 week on a catamaran in the islands. Problem is he's 74 and has some back/hip/knee issues. He says he's going to be fine but I'm a little concerned with him getting on/off from water & dingy. Didn't know if anyone on here has any experience with this or has any ideas for rigging something. He's about 225 lbs.
Brian
Brian
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Re: Senior on a Cat
[Re: Crown31]
#134133
07/01/2017 10:45 AM
07/01/2017 10:45 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545 Here and There
rita_irvine
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545
Here and There
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About 7 or 8 years ago there was a cat full of men, possibly college alumni, mid 30ish. One of the men was in a wheelchair. They rigged a bosun chair to drop and retrieve him from the dinghy. His wheelchair had big fat tires and he went everywhere. We saw them several times and marveled at how they made his trip safe and easy for him. Just take it slow and easy. A gait belt might you just enough control getting in and out of the dinghy for both of you to feel safe. https://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Medical-621-wht-Cotton-Buckle/dp/B000V4SV5G?th=1
Rita It is better to be happy than it is to be right
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Re: Senior on a Cat
[Re: rita_irvine]
#134134
07/01/2017 10:57 AM
07/01/2017 10:57 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493 VIRGINIA
BEERMAN
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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rita_irvine said:About 7 or 8 years ago there was a cat full of men, possibly college alumni, mid 30ish. One of the men was in a wheelchair. They rigged a bosun chair to drop and retrieve him from the dinghy. His wheelchair had big fat tires and he went everywhere. We saw them several times and marveled at how they made his trip safe and easy for him. Just take it slow and easy. A gait belt might you just enough control getting in and out of the dinghy for both of you to feel safe. https://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Medical-621-wht-Cotton-Buckle/dp/B000V4SV5G?th=1 Gait belt is an awesome recommendation!!
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Re: Senior on a Cat
[Re: Crown31]
#134136
07/01/2017 12:04 PM
07/01/2017 12:04 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251 Okla
ScurvyD
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251
Okla
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Just returned from taking my wifes parents. Both around 70. She did quite well, but having not been on a boat much he had some troubles. The dinghy was a little dicey at times, and sometimes the dock is quite a way up for some. We learned to beach the dinghy, let them out and then go tie up on the dock He had a great time but did return with quite a few bumps and bruises. It was kind of a bucket list thing so i doubt they would go again. I would make sure to take it slow, transfer on your but as much as possible, and make sure someone in there to help all the time. We were on a lagoon 400. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
I'd like to be a jelly fish, cause jelly fish don't pay rent.
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Re: Senior on a Cat
[Re: Deepcut]
#134139
07/02/2017 08:28 PM
07/02/2017 08:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,423 New Jersey, USA
DanS
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,423
New Jersey, USA
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Deepcut said: Can assess dingy transfers when there, but can have a ball without ever leaving boat, or going ashore only at marinas. We've only ever chartered monohulls, and I've wondered whether we could try a cat and bring along some folks with limited mobility. Even in marinas, I've observed that the hulls on a typical cat are pretty high, and charter boats don't seem to be equipped with stairs that can be placed on the dock finger. And hopping from the sugar scoops onto the finger looks like a tricky maneuver. Are there good ways to make this easier? Dan <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Senior on a Cat
[Re: Deepcut]
#134141
07/03/2017 12:04 PM
07/03/2017 12:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 229 West Chester, PA
ligot
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 229
West Chester, PA
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3 years ago my wife and I took my parents, in laws and uncle with his partner on a 44' cat for a week. Dad was severely overweight with a fused ankle and limited mobility. MIL had been hospitalized earlier in the year for 8 weeks leaving her very weak and uncle's partner has Parkinsons. Four of the 6 had bareboat experience so at least we started with some experience. First advice is have patience. Lots of it. Nothing happens fast on a sailboat and with elderly it's even slower. Took two days of my uncle seemingly attempting to ram the bow of the dinghy up the stern steps so people could climb over the bow of the dinghy onto the steps before I convinced him that the parallel to the hull thing was better. With help at the dinghy bow and stern to hold it steady to the yacht, all the folks were able to easily sidestep onto the stern steps. Someone mentioned docks. Cooper was tough for them to climb up but they made it. Slowly. Very slowly and with help from those more mobile. Dropping on shore then moving the dinghy is also an option but sometimes water movement isn't good for the already unsteady. Baths only from a cab or car. We didn't know of the change. Got everyone in pretty easy but there was no way in h*** my 350lb father or the parkinson patient was pulling himself back up into a dinghy. Seeing the situation, one officer told us it was ok to pull the dinghy in to get them while the other one screamed at us over and over not to bring the dinghy in. Bring games(at least cards) for the boat. When it's raining, regular crew will throw on a garbage bag and head to a bar to get off the boat. Putting elderly in an overly slippery dinghy wasn't an option so we had a couple days of staring at each other in the galley. This one is odd but ... make sure the heads have a plunger or something to break up stool. Many elderly are on prescriptions that cause constipation. Boat heads can't always handle it. Plan a day or two or three in a slip. The extra cost is offset by their peace of mind and ease of getting around. One more time, patience. They move slowly so as you're scrambling to moor the boat or hang a fender or tighten a jib sheet, they're likely to be in the way and not moving quickly enough for you. Just accept it. The pace on the boat is generally just slower than normal vacation mode and that's ok. There are never enough experiences with out folks so just relax and experience it at their pace. Sadly it took my about 3 days on the boat to get there but at least I did.
S/V Tortuga Lagoon 46
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Re: Senior on a Cat
[Re: DanS]
#134142
07/03/2017 04:29 PM
07/03/2017 04:29 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304 Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
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DanS said:
We've only ever chartered monohulls, ... That's where our crew of six now 69-year-old "seniors" was until about age 55, when we chartered our first cat and discovered the bliss of generators and A/C. We have never looked back. Next voyage is in late October out of St Thomas to the Spanish Virgins. Without the stability of the cat and electric winches, we probably would have given up cruising 10 years ago. Now, even as we are replacing our original parts with titanium, vanadium and an assortment of other iums, we no longer say "this is our last charter." Do I miss burying a rail? Sure, but time catches all of us sooner or later, and the modern cat, used by us seniors with the tips and techniques described in previous posts, will hopefully allow us to cruise for at least another 10 years. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Senior on a Cat
[Re: aarpskier]
#134143
07/04/2017 11:27 AM
07/04/2017 11:27 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,216 JAX
jphart
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,216
JAX
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aarpskier said:DanS said:
We've only ever chartered monohulls, ... That's where our crew of six now 69-year-old "seniors" was until about age 55, when we chartered our first cat and discovered the bliss of generators and A/C. We have never looked back. Next voyage is in late October out of St Thomas to the Spanish Virgins. Without the stability of the cat and electric winches, we probably would have given up cruising 10 years ago. Now, even as we are replacing our original parts with titanium, vanadium and an assortment of other iums, we no longer say "this is our last charter." Do I miss burying a rail? Sure, but time catches all of us sooner or later, and the modern cat, used by us seniors with the tips and techniques described in previous posts, will hopefully allow us to cruise for at least another 10 years. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> ^^^^^^^ <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> We are just behind you and couldn't agree more!
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Re: Senior on a Cat
[Re: aarpskier]
#134147
07/06/2017 09:01 PM
07/06/2017 09:01 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,216 JAX
jphart
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,216
JAX
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aarpskier said: I think the Moorings 58 has an hydraulic dinghy platform, but the rate is pretty steep and the captain's requirements are higher than for the smaller boats. Yes, I've viewed, but not sailed. Lift on stern transom. Talked to crew, it is a three story condo!
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Re: Senior on a Cat
[Re: jphart]
#134148
07/07/2017 11:15 AM
07/07/2017 11:15 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 236
Appleton
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 236
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