Wayne.B wrote:
On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:50:32 -0400, Harlan Lachman
wrote:

Does anyone have sail boat recommendations for a couple in their 80s?
Frankly, my dad has a lot of trouble moving quickly and so much less
strength that he makes me appear to be Atlas. He has tried powerboats
twice but frankly he loves to go out and sail on Long Island Sound.

A small keel boat like a Rhodes 19 or a Pearson Ensign might be just
the ticket. Rigged with a roller furling jib, and lazy jacks on the
main, it would be stable and very easy to handle.

For a cabin boat, something like a Nonsuch 22 or 26 might make a good
choice.

I was just going to say a smaller Nonsuch. You can add a single large
winch to handle both the halyard and mainsheet, and once rigged up,
you can sail it all day with "fingertip control." The main comes down
into lazyjacks, the only problem being gathering up all the sail.
However, if that's an issuer, there might be a way to add a Dutchman
system.

I lived with a Nonsuch 30 for 8 years, and when the time comes to
downsize, a 22 or 26 will be on my short list.