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Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
#33262
01/10/2015 10:03 AM
01/10/2015 10:03 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 66 New York, NY
c388791
OP
Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 66
New York, NY
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I'm looking at options for a warm weather family Christmas vacation in 2015 and am considering a bareboat vacation. I have bare boated several times in the past and sail my own boat in the northeast. However, I have never sailed, or even been on, a catamaran.
My question is: Would my 76 year old mother-in-law be able to handle it? She is in great shape, agile, and spry, has no medical issues, and she has enjoyed day-sailing on my boat in New York. She manages to get in and out of the dinghy (both from the dock and the boat) with only a little bit of help.
I wouldn't want to take her on an extended sail in a monohull because I'd worry that the rolling, heeling,and pitching motions would send her flying as she tried to move around the boat. Is a catamaran stable enough to bring elderly passengers aboard?
BTW--I know this is the BVI board, but I'm leaning towards Abacos for this one because I'm guessing the waters would be more sheltered. I wanted to post the question here because this forum is chock full of experienced catamaran sailors.
Thanks,
George
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: c388791]
#33263
01/10/2015 10:12 AM
01/10/2015 10:12 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,846 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
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She would love the trip! Don't even consider going without her! Even though I am considering going back to a monohull from a cat the cat is a perfect vehicle for what you have in mind! The only thing I would do is get a cat with walk around rather then bridge deck berths. You will have a incredible family trip. You might get a bit is sticker shock on the price of a large cat over Christmas but it will be worth every penny! I would also take the BVI over the Abacos. It can be very chilly there in Dec if you catch a cold front. The BVI is a overall very calm charter ground. With planning even if you get a Christmas wind you can do fine. You will also spend more time at anchor and less time underway in the BVI. George
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 01/10/2015 10:17 AM.
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#33264
01/10/2015 10:23 AM
01/10/2015 10:23 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 81,502 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 81,502
Central Florida!
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Wouldn't presume to give you advice on the rest of the question, but definitely agree with George on the NO for Christmas time for the Bahamas. It could be downright CHILLY in December in the Bahamas. I remember one time we were in the straw market in Nassau in December, and there was a COLD rain and the outside temp was about 65.. Just sayin'..
Carol Hill
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: OneEyedJack]
#33268
01/10/2015 10:52 AM
01/10/2015 10:52 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 81,502 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Central Florida!
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I wouldn't say the Bahamas are "Miami East", but they ARE on the same latitude, which equals to "not necessarily that warm in the winter"..
Carol Hill
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: sail2wind]
#33270
01/10/2015 11:38 AM
01/10/2015 11:38 AM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,392 Maryland
Kirk
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Posts: 1,392
Maryland
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Don't worry about the number, worry about the person's condition.
JMO but I would think a cat would be easier than a mono...both have steepness (is that a word?) inside, but it seems like the dinghy would be easier with a cat. At least the ones I've used have nice steps down to the water
Kirk in Maryland
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: sail2wind]
#33271
01/10/2015 11:38 AM
01/10/2015 11:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 Miramichi NB Canada
Sandsailsun
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Posts: 2,394
Miramichi NB Canada
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sail2wind said: Watch it there Rick, Nina and I are in our 60's <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Haha...I was waiting for someone to comment on that.....I too define elderly much differently now that I am 50.....elderly to me now is more like 85 plus...isn't it funny how everything is relative <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Kim
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: sail2wind]
#33272
01/10/2015 11:44 AM
01/10/2015 11:44 AM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 109 Bozeman / Minneapolis
snowdog
Traveler
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 109
Bozeman / Minneapolis
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We just took my wife's parents (76) on our Leopard 46 and they did great. His physical health is not that great - has great deal of difficulty walking and requires a cane and a lot of time to move about. On the boat there are plenty of things to hold on to and the lack of heeling made it easy for him. He even went snorkeling once. The greatest challenge is getting into/out of the dinghy. But with a couple of extra hands to help, he did fine.
s/v Snow Dog - Leopard 46
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: c388791]
#33273
01/10/2015 11:49 AM
01/10/2015 11:49 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 658 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
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Posts: 658
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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We just got back from a trip with my 83 year old mother with knee problems and my 78 year old father with back problems. A Cat is the way to go. My parents did fine, didn't get off the boat as much as everyone else but were comfortable on the boat. If my parents can do it, it certainly sounds like your mother in law can. I'd vote for BVI as well.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: Sandsailsun]
#33274
01/10/2015 11:49 AM
01/10/2015 11:49 AM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 885 Louisville, KY
NoelHall
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Louisville, KY
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I'm closing in on 69, and a frequent crew member is a decade older. It's all about physical condition and the need for adventure, not age. Yes, I notice I'm becoming a little more unsteady on my feet, but I accept the fact, and therefore I very much agree a catamaran would be the best option. I also agree that perhaps the greatest chance of injury would be dinghy related, be careful. And finally, I also agree with no winter in the Bahamas, sort of defeats the purpose.
Noel Hall "It is humbling indeed, to discover my own opinion is only correct less than 50% of the time." www.noelhall.com
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: sail2wind]
#33275
01/10/2015 11:50 AM
01/10/2015 11:50 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493 VIRGINIA
BEERMAN
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VIRGINIA
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sail2wind said: Watch it there Rick, Nina and I are in our 60's <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Bwahahaha! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Donna just said her mom is 71, so she was 70 when she went with us!! You guys look awesome for being so old!... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />....should I stop already? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: 706jim]
#33279
01/10/2015 12:08 PM
01/10/2015 12:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545 Here and There
rita_irvine
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Posts: 2,545
Here and There
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A few years ago I saw a cat with a man in a wheelchair aboard. The crew handled it quite well. They used the dinghy davit with a bosun chair for the dinghy in and out. At the dock they had a two man contraption to swing the young man out of the dingy and into his chair. Two of the guys were quite fit and the young man in the wheelchair was probably 25. His chair had big sand tires on it. They had the drill down pat. I thought what wonderful friends this guy must have to accommodate him in such a clever manner.
Rita It is better to be happy than it is to be right
![[Linked Image]](https://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10765;128/st/20170709/e/Rita+%26amp%3B+Tim+in+BVI/k/9d22/event.png)
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: Kirk]
#33287
01/12/2015 01:06 PM
01/12/2015 01:06 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL
Winterstale
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Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
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Kirk said: Don't worry about the number, worry about the person's condition.
JMO but I would think a cat would be easier than a mono...both have steepness (is that a word?) inside, but it seems like the dinghy would be easier with a cat. At least the ones I've used have nice steps down to the water Here is the truest statement in this thread -- well, this one and Kim's <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> There are people in their 70's who still run full marathons..."senior citizen" is directly related to what kind of shape you're in. I've seen people under 40 who I'm pretty sure couldn't get out of a dinghy without help. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> Go for it -- you might run into some Christmas winds at that time -- but I still think the BVI is a better choice.
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: Winterstale]
#33288
01/12/2015 01:34 PM
01/12/2015 01:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,198 Cape Coral Florida (Texas tran...
stoneyusaf
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Cape Coral Florida (Texas tran...
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Winterstale said:Kirk said: Don't worry about the number, worry about the person's condition.
JMO but I would think a cat would be easier than a mono...both have steepness (is that a word?) inside, but it seems like the dinghy would be easier with a cat. At least the ones I've used have nice steps down to the water Here is the truest statement in this thread -- well, this one and Kim's <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> There are people in their 70's who still run full marathons..."senior citizen" is directly related to what kind of shape you're in. I've seen people under 40 who I'm pretty sure couldn't get out of a dinghy without help. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> Go for it -- you might run into some Christmas winds at that time -- but I still think the BVI is a better choice. Although some of us are drifting off topic (as I am about to in a wordy fashion) - age truly isn't a number. I am 59 and my father was on his deathbed at this age because he allowed himself to get "OLD!" I personally have met SO MANY GREAT GREAT people on here that although the chassis may show the years (as mine does), the heart, physical stamina and attitude show a much different person than the one we see in the mirror. IMHO by pure fact that we are the type of people that share this love boating and visit the islands every chance we can says it all. I talk to people about sailing or boating in the islands that are in their 30s that say "there is no way I'd do that" and here most of us sit on this forum and if we aren't in the islands we are sick with DIF and planning our next trip! And then you have many people on here like Kim/Ward & Nina/Evan that think nothing of not only going and fitting as much in the schedule as possible but also work to maintain their boats! Between the islands and many of the GREAT people on here.....like many of you I have no intention of growing up or growing old. I think it was Henry Ford that said "If you think you can or you think you can't - you are correct!" If the the gal can handle being on a mono and cat will be a walk in the park! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
https://www.tickerfactory.com/ezt/d/4;10765;405/st/20220331/e/USVI+and+BVI/dt/0/k/05ce/event.png
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: Winterstale]
#33289
01/12/2015 01:45 PM
01/12/2015 01:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,336 Port St Lucie, FL
Richieg1g
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Posts: 1,336
Port St Lucie, FL
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Winterstale said:Kirk said: Don't worry about the number, worry about the person's condition.
JMO but I would think a cat would be easier than a mono...both have steepness (is that a word?) inside, but it seems like the dinghy would be easier with a cat. At least the ones I've used have nice steps down to the water Here is the truest statement in this thread -- well, this one and Kim's <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> There are people in their 70's who still run full marathons..."senior citizen" is directly related to what kind of shape you're in. I've seen people under 40 who I'm pretty sure couldn't get out of a dinghy without help. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> Go for it -- you might run into some Christmas winds at that time -- but I still think the BVI is a better choice. Yeah, what she said. Willingness to participate is half of the battle.
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: jbuch02]
#33290
01/12/2015 05:11 PM
01/12/2015 05:11 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 109 Bozeman / Minneapolis
snowdog
Traveler
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Bozeman / Minneapolis
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jbuch02 said: ..... The bottom line is that the elderly can sail safely if they know their limits and the captain knows them too as well as has some level of basic life support procedures That is good advice for having guests of any age. Someone on the boat should have basic first aid knowledge and the captain should be aware of any medical conditions that their guests might have.
s/v Snow Dog - Leopard 46
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Re: Question--Older passengers on a catamaran?
[Re: Frank]
#33292
01/14/2015 11:11 AM
01/14/2015 11:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 397 Colorado
stormster
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Colorado
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If you are worried about evacuation costs, PADI dive insurance is a good deal. You don't have to be a diver: http://www.padi.com/blog/2014/05/02/dan-scuba-diving-insurance/(Obviously, you should check that it covers whatever situations you are anticipating.) Anecdotally, I heard they keep a plane in Miami with a compression chamber that they use to evacuate anyone needing in it in the Caribbean.
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