I’m 70. Just passed ASA 101. Want to buy myself a present.

Posted by jbschwartz55@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 37 comments

Got a late start, training on 30’ Catalinas in San Francisco Bay out of Modern Sailing in Sausalito. The boats are fully outfitted with safety equipment but I want to start accumulating key items for personal use.

Here’s are my initial ideas. Any suggestions?

SpinLock Deck Vest
Knee pads/elbow pads (pants with built in pads?)
sailing jacket (HH?)
sailing knife
gloves
backup hand held radio?
PLB?
rigging bag?
backup boat hook (don’t ask!)

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throwleboomerang@reddit

For a pfd- deckvests are great, I’d just make sure they fit you well- if you’re gonna drop the $$$ you want to make sure it’s just right for you. I’d also recommend the Hammar inflators- they’re more expensive up front but IMO it’s a way less janky mechanism and they last 5 years instead of 1.

Knee pads- definitely yes

Jacket- depends on what type of sailing you’re planning on doing but a HH inshore jacket is probably a good move.

Definitely gloves- everyone I know uses gill pro gloves. Won’t say that’s the only option but when a lot of great sailors use them I’d say it’s a safe bet.

Knife- buy 3 cheap knives with marlin spikes off Amazon.

Handheld- maybe? If you’re on other people’s boats a lot they should have radios, and I’d say there’s a good chance you leave it on someone else’s boat within the first three months.

PLB- you planning on doing serious offshore stuff or single handing? If not, I wouldn’t bother at this stage.

Rigging bag and boathook- I wouldn’t?

One thing I don’t see on your list- nice pair of spray pants/salopettes. In fact I might go with these before a jacket.

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isogoniccloverleaf@reddit

At 70, kneepads for sure... Banging into stuff... It don't heal like it use to.

Also a wide brim sun hat

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ayedeesea@reddit

This is great advice

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Rowdyflyer1903@reddit

I would recommend a decent trailer sailboat. A Compact is a great one. Well keeled and well built. Easy to trailer, easy to rig and easy to sail. When it's easy and you can do it by yourself, magic happens and you do more of it. No slip fees. No haul out fees. The grandkids will find you more popular. Go ahead splurge.

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cuisinart-hatrack@reddit

I think you should buy yourself a 2001 Pacific Seacraft 34.

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jbschwartz55@reddit (OP)

Yours, I’m guessing?

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cuisinart-hatrack@reddit

Yeah, I’m selling her this summerz

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SVLibertine@reddit

Congrats on the course! I know them well, and they’re great…although I’m biased against C30s, for all the wrong reasons. I’m not too much younger (m60), so feel free to message me. I’m on Alameda, and have been sailing for 50 years.

Presents: Mustang inflatable offshore vest, and a Myerchin Gen. 2 Crew Folding Knife. Thank me later…

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jbschwartz55@reddit (OP)

Thanks. Will review.

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SVLibertine@reddit

Marlin Spike Knife would be my first “gift” to myself. And was…

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joesquatchnow@reddit

Water is cold so big fan of pants for emergency swims

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Oberon_17@reddit

Not familiar with these. Can you post a link?

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joesquatchnow@reddit

You want with knee pads or without ?

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Oberon_17@reddit

No, just the regular…

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Guygan@reddit

DeckVest should be #1. Great product, and your safety should be top priority.

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jbschwartz55@reddit (OP)

Agreed. Have first hand experience why I’m opting for automatic inflation. Almost took one for the team during an accidental jibe. Good lesson.

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sailingmusician@reddit

Pfd first and then a knife at the same time. Very important for safety to carry a knife on your person when sailing. Doesn’t have to be a fancy one. I’ve lost enough nice knives overboard over the years that I now just run with a cheap Spyderco folding serrated knife on my person and my nice ones stay in the bag or the nav table. https://a.co/d/c3MhtFH This one is under $40 and is great for the price.

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jbschwartz55@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the advice. I notice that this knife doesn’t have a way to attach a tether, which I’m thinking is a good idea for sailing. Is that not important?

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sailingmusician@reddit

For me with my cheap knives it’s not something I prioritize. I find them a bit cumbersome and if I really need it in an emergency I don’t want to have something in the way. But that’s my personal preference based on my experiences and use case so you might find something else works best for you.

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jbschwartz55@reddit (OP)

That’s fair. Experience wins out over speculation.

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sailingmusician@reddit

Only that I’ve found what works for me. You very well might prefer a tether and that’s great too. I just really advocate making sure you have a knife on you. That’s the only thing I consider mandatory

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AnotherOpinionHaver@reddit

Seconded. A good seabag would be my second choice.

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frankenpoopies@reddit

Do the PFD with a crotch strap.

A multitool is a good knife. Spyderco makes nice stuff. Myerchin has quality pieces with a marlin spike.

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jbschwartz55@reddit (OP)

There are SO many HH jackets. Which is most versatile for light duty. Crew 2?

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