*JimH* wrote:
.........."How do you know when you are done with boating?"


When I'm cold & still, have been for at least 3 days, and all my friends
& relatives have sobered up enough to start shoveling dirt over me.


Yikes!

For us, it was in 2002 (exact explanations why have already posted here)
after coming to an agreement that we could not continue with the current
boat size (32 feet, 35 feet LOA) in docking and anchoring situations,
especially during high winds, with me as the only person on board to handle
those situations, even though my wife was on board.

Why can't your wife help you handle the boat? Shucks, my wife learned
racing tactics & handling a spinnaker!

http://www.contractsolutions.net/J18...18_photo6.html

If I had to handle the boat totally singlehanded, I would probably rig
some assists on the boat and be more cautious in where/when I docked &
pulled out; but I can and have sailed every boat I've ever owned single
handed.

It's largely a matter of having the right experience and being prepared
well in advance. When you're sidling up to the dock, trying to gage the
wind/current, it's not th etime to suddenly dash to a locker & rummage
for dock lines.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King