With me it's my shoulders, especially the right shoulder, rotator cuff area which I'm sure I will blow out some day as I age physically but not mentally! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

A few years ago when I had my back operation, my Doctor said I had to give up cat sailing, "You aren't 19 anymore and there's nothing I can do to make you 19 again..."

Well, I bought a ligher boat but haven't given it up, yet.

But there is always working out. Proper strength training can do a lot.

Yes, and that's why I still lift weights, just not as heavy as when I was 19, but more repeitions in each set.

I do know why most fat old men race monohulls though and there have been times I thought they were the smarter ones! I'm on my way out the door to sail some more this afternoon, good wind and the boat is rigged and ready.

Yesterday I tried a new (to me) rig for pulling the boards up, I finally got around to tieing a line between them and it worked great! I can set the spin, pull both boards half way up and be gone downwind very quickly now. And, as a bonus, if I did flip and one of the boards flew out of the slot (like happened once) it is tied to the other and the line goes under the footstraps so it can't float away.

http://www.weathercenter.com/images/afternoon.htm

Ok, I'm not an experienced sailor, but hopefully will be one day, this thread has got me thinking, as I am a small person and I will probably struggle with the main on bigger cats.
Wrapping around the hand can affect your mobility in the long run, so why not try something new ?

This is what I'm thinking :
cleat the main loosely so you can add a new line pulling the loose main with it between the cleat and block, this new line can attach to the cleated mainsheet (between the specified points) with a ring or block so you can uncleat whenever you want and release mainsheet through the ring, the purpose of the new line is to have a (really) large diameter so you can handle it better, some sort of a cat mainsheet "leash", I will try this setup but I have to wait a few months...

So guys, as you are much more experienced , what do you think about this ?

Timbo, drop the weights and go bodyweight training. A set of rings is all you need <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Many repetitions builds endurance, while 3-5 reps max builds more strength. What is most relevant for sailing? Guess there is no definition on that, but max strength certainly drops fast while growing older. I think keeping your strength up is harder than endurance, and strength is what keeps you "young".
I am certain you know this already so sorry for repeating it. I am just 37 years but have found some great inspiration to get going again in this page: http://www.beastskills.com/ I have trained loads of strength with weights earlier, and bodyweight training suits me much better than lifting weights or using a regular gym.

On a general note, standing firmly on my soapboax:
Re-entry after a capsize and righting procedure was discussed earlier and it sounds like a lot of people are unable to pull themselves up on the boat from the water. I think that should be a skill everybody should try to get. With some strength training, that certainly is possible, if they really want to.

Check out what these old men are capable of, especially John himself.
http://www128.pair.com/r3d4k7/SeniorAthletes.html

If they can do what they do, how long can we keep sailing, if we really want to?

Anyone using or know of anyone using IFL (oxen) blocks on the main? Are there any issues with using these?

Cheshirecatman

there are two 70+ year olds still skippering and still highly competative on I14s!!

I'm going out for another "workout" today, pulling the main and spinnaker sheet! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Most of my racing is on yachts these days - I usually do kite trim on a J/80 but in the last 10 days I've done main trim on a Corby 29 and on a Delphia 24 on windy days while we wait for J Boats to supply the rudder bracket we broke. The loads on the Stealth's sheets are barely noticeable in comparison!