This is a subject that has piqued my interest recently, as my wife and I are looking at getting a sailboat sometime in the next year. I am a little overweight for my height (20kg or so), but my wife is recovering from a 10 year bout of DVT which has left her sitting at about 150kg.
She is very active, and is steadily losing weight but is obviously concerned that this extra weight will get in the way of sailing.
I'd love to hear from anybody here who has started sailing while overweight. What sort of difficulties did you experience? Was it as much of a problem as it seems at first?
This is going to be dependent on the size of the boat.
An 18ft sports boat no way but something over 32ft shouldn't be to bad.
This is the most slippery subject in a long while and don't expect honest opinions as the subject is socially almost unpalatable perhaps unacceptable.
Even more so this days, when obesity is rapidly taking over our once sporty nation.
The basic fitness level of a single handed sailor must be high. Very high.
One might say, common sense should prevail assessing one's own fitness, unfortunately, common sense is far from common.
Let's think of a MOB situation on a crewed boat.
-If one is not able to swim a mile or spend at least twenty minutes in the water unaided, one might be dead. (yes, pfd must be worn, but it is NOT! See VOR Scallywag! )
-If one is unable to pull an injured MOB aboard, he might die.
-If one is not able to climb aboard one's yacht while stationary with the aid of a single rope, he might end up drowning.
Or
-If one is unable to go to the fore deck confidently to handle sails or rigging, all might end up dead.
-If one is not able to climb one's mast with the help of an other person, one might as well stay in the Marina.
So, how fit one has to be? Really? 
How will you handle a dinghy/tender? Yhe djnghy would have to be large, solid and very stable. How will you both get in and out of the dinghy onto the boat or jetty. How will you manoeuvre such a dinghy?
I had a fellow who wanted to come to Lord Howe with me. He capsized our dinghy in calm water in Pittwater and then couldn't get onto the jetty. There was no chance of getting back onboard. He was about 18-20 stone. He missed out on the trip.
I think it would be almost impossible to sail safely until you are a fair bit lighter.
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
This is the most slippery subject in a long while and don't expect honest opinions as the subject is socially almost unpalatable perhaps unacceptable.
Even more so this days, when obesity is rapidly taking over our once sporty nation.
The basic fitness level of a single handed sailor must be high. Very high.
One might say, common sense should prevail assessing one's own fitness, unfortunately, common sense is far from common.
Let's think of a MOB situation on a crewed boat.
-If one is not able to swim a mile or spend at least twenty minutes in the water unaided, one might be dead. (yes, pfd must be worn, but it is NOT! See VOR Scallywag! )
-If one is unable to pull an injured MOB aboard, he might die.
-If one is not able to climb aboard one's yacht with the aid of a single rope, he might end up drowning.
Or
-If one is unable to go to the fore deck confidently to handle sails or rigging, all might end up dead.
-If one is not able to climb one's mast with the help of an other person, one might as well stay in the Marina.
So, how fit one has to be? Really?
Thank you for the honest answer. Neither of us are precious about the subject as we are both well aware of our own mortality and are honest about our capabilities.
I understand that many will see this as a "40 foot pole" subject but we don't. We are interested in getting to the good sailing, and if that means undertaking a training regime first then so be it.
Select to expand quoteMorningBird said..
How will you handle a dinghy/tender? Yhe djnghy would have to be large, solid and very stable. How will you both get in and out of the dinghy onto the boat or jetty. How will you manoeuvre such a dinghy?
I had a fellow who wanted to come to Lord Howe with me. He capsized our dinghy in calm water in Pittwater and then couldn't get onto the jetty. There was no chance of getting back onboard. He was about 18-20 stone. He missed out on the trip.
I think it would be almost impossible to sail safely until you are a fair bit lighter.
Thank you for the honesty. The reason I broached the subject so matter-of-factly (some may say bluntly) is to show that we are interested in honest answers such as this. The last thing we want is to get out on the water and have it turn in to a horrible experience.
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
This is the most slippery subject in a long while and don't expect honest opinions as the subject is socially almost unpalatable perhaps unacceptable.
Even more so this days, when obesity is rapidly taking over our once sporty nation.
The basic fitness level of a single handed sailor must be high. Very high.
One might say, common sense should prevail assessing one's own fitness, unfortunately, common sense is far from common.
Let's think of a MOB situation on a crewed boat.
-If one is not able to swim a mile or spend at least twenty minutes in the water unaided, one might be dead. (yes, pfd must be worn, but it is NOT! See VOR Scallywag! )
-If one is unable to pull an injured MOB aboard, he might die.
-If one is not able to climb aboard one's yacht with the aid of a single rope, he might end up drowning.
Or
-If one is unable to go to the fore deck confidently to handle sails or rigging, all might end up dead.
-If one is not able to climb one's mast with the help of an other person, one might as well stay in the Marina.
So, how fit one has to be? Really?
Using some of these reason for exclusion not many would be sailing.
My wife could not pull me on board un aided does that mean neither if us should sail? Actually with the height of my hull i would dought i could reach her to pull her onboard. We do however have a system in place to use a halyard to winch onboard.
While you are very fit I think you would find it hard to climb on board using a single rope whole your boat is doing 7 knts.
What about elderly people cruising?
I was reading the story in afloat about John Sauners he is in his 8th I think circumnavigation in his late 70's. He can't do a lot of the things you state.
I have seen plenty of over weight people sailing safely it is all about personal responsibility and doing what you are capable of.
Select to expand quotetwodogs1969 said..sirgallivant said..
This is the most slippery subject in a long while and don't expect honest opinions as the subject is socially almost unpalatable perhaps unacceptable.
Even more so this days, when obesity is rapidly taking over our once sporty nation.
The basic fitness level of a single handed sailor must be high. Very high.
One might say, common sense should prevail assessing one's own fitness, unfortunately, common sense is far from common.
Let's think of a MOB situation on a crewed boat.
-If one is not able to swim a mile or spend at least twenty minutes in the water unaided, one might be dead. (yes, pfd must be worn, but it is NOT! See VOR Scallywag! )
-If one is unable to pull an injured MOB aboard, he might die.
-If one is not able to climb aboard one's yacht with the aid of a single rope, he might end up drowning.
Or
-If one is unable to go to the fore deck confidently to handle sails or rigging, all might end up dead.
-If one is not able to climb one's mast with the help of an other person, one might as well stay in the Marina.
So, how fit one has to be? Really?
Using some of these reason for exclusion not many would be sailing.
My wife could not pull me on board un aided does that mean neither if us should sail? Actually with the height of my hull i would dought i could reach her to pull her onboard. We do however have a system in place to use a halyard to winch onboard.
While you are very fit I think you would find it hard to climb on board using a single rope whole your boat is doing 7 knts.
What about elderly people cruising?
I was reading the story in afloat about John Sauners he is in his 8th I think circumnavigation in his late 70's. He can't do a lot of the things you state.
I have seen plenty of over weight people sailing safely it is all about personal responsibility and doing what you are capable of.
Thanks twodogs.
I'm interested in hearing all opinions on this.
Common Scott, stop splitting hair, you know what l mean.
Fitter one is, safer one will be.
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
Common Scott, stop splitting hair, you know what l mean.
Fitter one is, safer one will be.
I agree with that no argument.
Just I would not say he can't sail and do it safely. It's all about perspective and the size and stability of the boat.he is not going to send his wife doing foredeck work however she could helm while he does the work. Like MB said getting in and out if a dinghy could be an issue for her so you need to pick her up from the jetty. I have a guy I sailed with when I was a kid ex Austrailian champion in a few classes now in his 80's he comes out with me occasionally there is no way he could get from a dinghy onto my boat but I pick.him up at the jetty and he has no problems with going for a sail. Although it is impossible to get him off the helm lol.
This is a subject I am very close to. 9 months ago I was 136kg and 60 years old and I race single handed and could do everything with no problems. Yes I had to be careful getting into a small hard dingy but a hard floor inflatable was no problem. It would not matter what weight I was, my wife would not be able to get me back on board so we have a recovery module which she can hoist me back on board. The big thing I have over a novice is i have a wealth of experience having sailed since I was 5 years old.
What I did find I would come home from a tough race and I would feel like i'd been hit by a truck and what's more I would like to sail for a lot more years yet which my doctor said if I didn't do something I would not be sailing competitively for much longer.
After much pondering I decided to have Gastric Surgery (Gastric Sleeve) . I was operated at the end of May, 4 weeks before I headed north on the boat for 4 months. I have now dropped 47kg And my current weight is now 89kg which I have not been since I was 20 years old. The first 4 months was tough and I certainly questioned if I had done the right thing, but now everything is normal. I just eat a lot less.
i now get round the boat with a lot more ease and certainly have a lot less aches and pains, my balance is also better. The best thing of all is the dingy goes a lot better.
Weight loss surgery is not for everyone but it is what I did so I could keep doing this wonderful sport for many years to come.
If balance and mobility is a problem you should maybe consider a catamaran as you are sailing on the level most of the time.
If you want to talk to someone about the surgery feel free to pm me your phone number.
If you live on a yacht 24/7 and regularly go sailing, you will lose weight and become fit.
It is a world of motion to which you respond muscularly by keeping yourself upright. It is also a world of step ups and downs.
If you can survive the first three months it will just get better after that.
Along with the excellent issues already raised is that of the possible need for a medical evacuation at some stage. As well as the identified issue of your wife's previous D.V.T.'s - there would possibly be other co-morbidities increasing the chances of a medical emergency. A medical evacuation of an incapacitated patient is difficult at the best of times from a normal residence, but from the confined cabin of a yacht surrounded by rigging would dramatically increase the complexity of any rescue. Also to be considered would be the small size of most marine toilets, ( a surprising number of people require rescue after becoming stuck on a full size toilet at home) and if overnighting, the comfort of the bunks available. While all of the above sounds daunting - I have to agree with Cisco that the more you sail, the better it should become. Cruising is a vital part of our lives and gives us great joy and contentment. If you are able to consider the issues and address them to some degree - Why deny yourselves the happiness that sailing delivers in spades? The best of luck to you both!
Select to expand quoteJode5 said..
This is a subject I am very close to. 9 months ago I was 136kg and 60 years old and I race single handed and could do everything with no problems. Yes I had to be careful getting into a small hard dingy but a hard floor inflatable was no problem. It would not matter what weight I was, my wife would not be able to get me back on board so we have a recovery module which she can hoist me back on board. The big thing I have over a novice is i have a wealth of experience having sailed since I was 5 years old.
What I did find I would come home from a tough race and I would feel like i'd been hit by a truck and what's more I would like to sail for a lot more years yet which my doctor said if I didn't do something I would not be sailing competitively for much longer.
After much pondering I decided to have Gastric Surgery (Gastric Sleeve) . I was operated at the end of May, 4 weeks before I headed north on the boat for 4 months. I have now dropped 47kg And my current weight is now 89kg which I have not been since I was 20 years old. The first 4 months was tough and I certainly questioned if I had done the right thing, but now everything is normal. I just eat a lot less.
i now get round the boat with a lot more ease and certainly have a lot less aches and pains, my balance is also better. The best thing of all is the dingy goes a lot better.
Weight loss surgery is not for everyone but it is what I did so I could keep doing this wonderful sport for many years to come.
If balance and mobility is a problem you should maybe consider a catamaran as you are sailing on the level most of the time.
If you want to talk to someone about the surgery feel free to pm me your phone number.
Thanks Jode
The gastric sleeve surgery is an option that we have considered, and we are fairly certain that we will eventually get a catamaran.
Select to expand quotecisco said..
If you live on a yacht 24/7 and regularly go sailing, you will lose weight and become fit.
It is a world of motion to which you respond muscularly by keeping yourself upright. It is also a world of step ups and downs.
If you can survive the first three months it will just get better after that.
This was why I was the one pushing to get her on a boat straight away, but after reading some of these post I feel as though I may have been more than a little naive.
Select to expand quoteNajadcruiser said..
Along with the excellent issues already raised is that of the possible need for a medical evacuation at some stage. As well as the identified issue of your wife's previous D.V.T.'s - there would possibly be other co-morbidities increasing the chances of a medical emergency. A medical evacuation of an incapacitated patient is difficult at the best of times from a normal residence, but from the confined cabin of a yacht surrounded by rigging would dramatically increase the complexity of any rescue. Also to be considered would be the small size of most marine toilets, ( a surprising number of people require rescue after becoming stuck on a full size toilet at home) and if overnighting, the comfort of the bunks available. While all of the above sounds daunting - I have to agree with Cisco that the more you sail, the better it should become. Cruising is a vital part of our lives and gives us great joy and contentment. If you are able to consider the issues and address them to some degree - Why deny yourselves the happiness that sailing delivers in spades? The best of luck to you both!
Thanks Najad.
Thankfully her general health is now excellent, which makes the extra weight even more frustrating for her. All of the things you mentioned were definite issues while she was sick but are becoming less and less problematic.
We humans are risk takers. We take calculated risks every day of our lives and survive. Most of us, anyway.
The most common risk taking, three times a day, is at breakfasts lunches and especially dinners when a lot of us deliberately take huge risks digging our graves with our teeth.
Could we? Yes, we could.
But should we?
It is all understandable that large persons got the same right to enjoy life as us skinny ones in all sorts of activities, however, if l could or would climb a tree weighing 11 stones at 6'2" does not mean that my son weighing 16 stones at 6'11" could or should.
Could he? Yes, he could.
But should he?
Using the above logic the person who is not able to use a dinghy, has acute medical problems, could not go to the bow in an emergency - just mention a few reasons - could not be there?
Yes, he could.
But should he?
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
We humans are risk takers. We take calculated risks every day of our lives and survive. Most of us, anyway.
The most common risk taking, three times a day, is at breakfasts lunches and especially dinners when a lot of us deliberately take huge risks digging our graves with our teeth.
Could we? Yes, we could.
But should we?
It is all understandable that large persons got the same right to enjoy life as us skinny ones in all sorts of activities, however, if l could or would climb a tree weighing 11 stones at 6'2" does not mean that my son weighing 16 stones at 6'11" could or should.
Could he? Yes, he could.
But should he?
Using the above logic the person who is not able to use a dinghy, has acute medical problems, could not go to the bow in an emergency - just mention a few reasons - could not be there?
Yes, he could.
But should he?
Thanks sirgallivant,
I absolutely agree. I guess what I'm seeking here is the wisdom of people who've tried to climb that tree and fallen out, or who have made it to the top. That will hopefully help answer the "should I" questions that I have.
Hi codelayer. Good on you for being so straightfoward, I've heard it said that it's better to be fat and fit rather than skinny and
not. However sailing has special facets as has been illustrated, wharf to dinghy, dinghy to boat. cockpit to foredeck etc. If not being
able to lose weight is the problem then a gastric band may solve the situation. My niece who was severely overweight had the
full gastric bypass and it has certainly made a huge difference to her life, mind you she is only in her twenties but she was going
nowhere and now she can see a life before her. 150 kilos means a big body (depending on how tall you are) and I would think just moving around a boat in
ordinary fashion would not be easy...getting past the wheel or climbing down the companionway may be a problem. Sorry to be
blunt but I can see you want to face this situation full on. Find a solution and take it. All the very best luck to you both.
Here's a thought.
Why not investigate a learn to sail course, something that is a true beginners course from Eastsail or Pacific or one of the other companies who offer introductory courses on 30-40 foot modern yachts.
If you read the FAQ on Eastsail's website, fitness apparently is not an issue. Perhaps it's worth a call.
Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with any sailing schools, but I do believe that everyone should get the chance to experience it and find out if they want to pursue a lifestyle on the water.
Select to expand quotesamsturdy said..
Hi codelayer. Good on you for being so straightfoward, I've heard it said that it's better to be fat and fit rather than skinny and
not. However sailing has special facets as has been illustrated, wharf to dinghy, dinghy to boat. cockpit to foredeck etc. If not being
able to lose weight is the problem then a gastric band may solve the situation. My niece who was severely overweight had the
full gastric bypass and it has certainly made a huge difference to her life, mind you she is only in her twenties but she was going
nowhere and now she can see a life before her. 150 kilos means a big body (depending on how tall you are) and I would think just moving around a boat in
ordinary fashion would not be easy...getting past the wheel or climbing down the companionway may be a problem. Sorry to be
blunt but I can see you want to face this situation full on. Find a solution and take it. All the very best luck to you both.
Thanks samsturdy
I'm definitely getting the impression that mobility would be the biggest issue. I can see how simply fitting through small spaces would be troublesome.
At this point in time she is losing weight steadily (down from 170 a few months ago) and doesn't want to get gastric surgery as she sees it as cheating. I disagree with her there for various reasons, but I won't go into that here.
We are only in our 30s but we have been through some bad **** together so head-on is the only way we face life nowadays .
Select to expand quoteMichaelR said..
Here's a thought.
Why not investigate a learn to sail course, something that is a true beginners course from Eastsail or Pacific or one of the other companies who offer introductory courses on 30-40 foot modern yachts.
If you read the FAQ on Eastsail's website, fitness apparently is not an issue. Perhaps it's worth a call.
Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with any sailing schools, but I do believe that everyone should get the chance to experience it and find out if they want to pursue a lifestyle on the water.
Thanks MichaelR,
I'll definitely look into this.
Select to expand quoteJode5 said..
This is a subject I am very close to. 9 months ago I was 136kg and 60 years old and I race single handed and could do everything with no problems. Yes I had to be careful getting into a small hard dingy but a hard floor inflatable was no problem. It would not matter what weight I was, my wife would not be able to get me back on board so we have a recovery module which she can hoist me back on board. The big thing I have over a novice is i have a wealth of experience having sailed since I was 5 years old.
What I did find I would come home from a tough race and I would feel like i'd been hit by a truck and what's more I would like to sail for a lot more years yet which my doctor said if I didn't do something I would not be sailing competitively for much longer.
After much pondering I decided to have Gastric Surgery (Gastric Sleeve) . I was operated at the end of May, 4 weeks before I headed north on the boat for 4 months. I have now dropped 47kg And my current weight is now 89kg which I have not been since I was 20 years old. The first 4 months was tough and I certainly questioned if I had done the right thing, but now everything is normal. I just eat a lot less.
i now get round the boat with a lot more ease and certainly have a lot less aches and pains, my balance is also better. The best thing of all is the dingy goes a lot better.
Weight loss surgery is not for everyone but it is what I did so I could keep doing this wonderful sport for many years to come.
If balance and mobility is a problem you should maybe consider a catamaran as you are sailing on the level most of the time.
If you want to talk to someone about the surgery feel free to pm me your phone number.
good on you john tough call i took up yoga last year to improve flexibility on the boat and sailing dingys though it would be nice to shed 10 kg i would have to give up the rum a big call
Select to expand quotecisco said..
If you live on a yacht 24/7 and regularly go sailing, you will lose weight and become fit.
It is a world of motion to which you respond muscularly by keeping yourself upright. It is also a world of step ups and downs.
If you can survive the first three months it will just get better after that.
Yes and No.
I shredded the weight during six months onboard. Not only was I trying to stay upright with a swaying boat, grinding winches and man handling the tender etc, but when ashore was walking everywhere. I was more active then when ashore and my weight benefited from it.
My wife on the other hand who was much more active ashore then when aboard gained weight. She wasn't walking an hour every single day nor going to the gym several time a week.
Both of us very quickly went back to our old selves within a month of being back on land.
Select to expand quoteToph said..cisco said..
If you live on a yacht 24/7 and regularly go sailing, you will lose weight and become fit.
It is a world of motion to which you respond muscularly by keeping yourself upright. It is also a world of step ups and downs.
If you can survive the first three months it will just get better after that.
Yes and No.
I shredded the weight during six months onboard. Not only was I trying to stay upright with a swaying boat, grinding winches and man handling the tender etc, but when ashore was walking everywhere. I was more active then when ashore and my weight benefited from it.
My wife on the other hand who was much more active ashore then when aboard gained weight. She wasn't walking an hour every single day nor going to the gym several time a week.
Both of us very quickly went back to our old selves within a month of being back on land.
Well there you go. That's an interesting result!
I feel sorry for anyone who's attachment to grog or any other mind altering substance, food included, is such as it would deny his own body to live healthily and his mind to enjoy his hobby fully.
Did it occur to you, my fellow sailors, that if one's physical regime is altered one's calorie intake must be adjusted according to the alteration?
Our nation's ever increasing waist line is atrocious also utterly avoidable.
That pang in one's tummy, the feeling of hunger is normal, easily controlled also character building.
The healthiest dinner is no dinner at all.
Mate for what my opinion is worth... Just do it.
Not only is your wife weight heading in the right direction (and yes sailing could possibly help some more with that, especially if her overall activity level is increased), but you make your own mind up to what you are comfortable with with your risk management.
All the suggestions above are valid, some in my personal opinion a little over the top (for example a 150kg person would easily sit on my ****ter), and nobody has bothered to ask what type of sailing you intend to do. Maybe you have zero intention of ever climbing into a tender from the stern of the boat. Jetty to jetty is perfectly ok. Just plan it as such.
You will be more comfortable moving about the larger the boat is and more so on a catamaran. Downfall being the boat may be too big for a beginner. But even then it is doable.
And what was your wife build/frame to begin with. !50 may be big in anybodies view, but 150 on someone over 6 foot is not as extreme as 150 on someone that is 5 foot.
I think the best advice given by far is to join an Introductory course...
Select to expand quoteToph said..
Mate for what my opinion is worth... Just do it.
Not only is your wife weight heading in the right direction (and yes sailing could possibly help some more with that, especially if her overall activity level is increased), but you make your own mind up to what you are comfortable with with your risk management.
All the suggestions above are valid, some in my personal opinion a little over the top (for example a 150kg person would easily sit on my ****ter), and nobody has bothered to ask what type of sailing you intend to do. Maybe you have zero intention of ever climbing into a tender from the stern of the boat. Jetty to jetty is perfectly ok. Just plan it as such.
You will be more comfortable moving about the larger the boat is and more so on a catamaran. Downfall being the boat may be too big for a beginner. But even then it is doable.
And what was your wife build/frame to begin with. !50 may be big in anybodies view, but 150 on someone over 6 foot is not as extreme as 150 on someone that is 5 foot.
I think the best advice given by far is to join an Introductory course...
Thanks toph.
I didn't expect to open such a big can of worms with this thread lol. It seems the opinions are quite varied, which is no bad thing.
I like the look of the sailing and seamanship courses, that's something we'll absolutely be doing before hitting the high seas.
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
I feel sorry for anyone who's attachment to grog or any other mind altering substance, food included, is such as it would deny his own body to live healthily and his mind to enjoy his hobby fully.
Did it occur to you, my fellow sailors, that if one's physical regime is altered one's calorie intake must be adjusted according to the alteration?
Our nation's ever increasing waist line is atrocious also utterly avoidable.
That pang in one's tummy, the feeling of hunger is normal, easily controlled also character building.
The healthiest dinner is no dinner at all.
Hmmm no.... We are required to eat. It is what we eat that makes the difference. I use to be a firm believer in Calories in less then Calories out. But sometimes, just like in the OPs post, there is a medical reason as well for the weight increase (and that includes mental reasons for the overeating too).
But that is getting off topic.
I am a diabetic always been big 105 kg at 18 that was playing football training 5 days a week. When diagnosed the and put on medication i gained weight instently. Always battled with my sugar levels and was insulin resistance the more i injected the more weight I put on I got up to nearly 130kg I never felt really fat. Anyway new endocrinologist the first thing he did was took me off a heap of medication he said we want you to loose weight but all these medications make you hungry. Fast forward I am now down to 90 but it is a battle every day i just have to look at food and I put weight on. Its not always so easy as I have said earlier go for it just be sensible and you should have no problems with a cat.
