Call of the Ancient Mariner - Hardcover

Palley, Reese

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0071388818 ISBN 13: 9780071388818

Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 2003

Synopsis

This is an inspiring, irreverent, and spirited manifesto for senior sailors and would-be sailors. Nearly, one million recreational sailors are now over 60, and their numbers will soon swell with baby boomers. Yet, no sailing literature has addressed the needs, concerns, and dreams of senior sailors - until now! In "Call of the Ancient Mariner", 82-year-old Reese Palley proclaims that sailing is the natural sport for the old, the best way to lengthen and improve your life, and the perfect antidote to a society that conspires to narrow senior horizons. Having circled the globe on a small boat in his 60s and 70s, Palley assures older sailors that with the right preparation and gear, they can and should keep sailing long into their golden years. In his eloquent, engaging, and witty style, he: helps older sailors prepare for long voyages; gives practical advice on making boats safer and easier to operate; and shows why, far from endangering health, sailing improves health, and profiles a delightful variety of septua- and octogenerian sailors to underline the point.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Do you think it's time to stow your boat shoes and leave sailing to younger, stronger, and more supple mariners? Don't! As 83-year-old Reese Palley defiantly proclaims in Call of the Ancient Mariner, sailing is the natural sport of the old, the best way to lengthen and improve your life, and the perfect antidote to a society that conspires to restrict the horizons of anyone with a gray hair or two.

Palley believes, passionately, that you can and should keep sailing through your golden years. This book is his soapbox, and his message is eloquent, urgent, funny, irreverent, unapologetic and life-affirming. Older sailors are better sailors, he insists, and supports the claim with a dozen inspiring portraits of modern-day ancient mariners interspersed throughout the book.

Reese Palley is an orator, haranguer, and cheerleader bent on enriching your life, but he is also a first-class coach. With the hard-won wisdom and practical knowledge of one who has been there (and still is there), he addresses your concerns about the physical demands of sailing, safety issues, sailing long distances with a medical condition, preparing for emergencies, and much more.

Call of the Ancient Mariner delivers the encouragement and know-how you need to keep your sea legs under you and enjoy smooth sailing for years to come.

A manifesto for all fellow ancient mariners

"People die these days as much from boredom and irrelevance as from disease. Antiquarian depression is pandemic in America. To help others avoid so depressing a fate, this handbook shares with the reader the experiences of this Ancient Mariner. There are obvious adjustments to be made as physical and mental facilities alter and falter. Herein are tips and tricks to keep you sailing decades after you might have thought you were through with the sea. For a sailor, being through with the sea is like being through with life itself. 'Choose life' and continue to choose the sea." from Call of the Ancient Mariner

About the Author:

Reese Palley is a gifted writer and an accomplished offshore sailor. An alumnus of the London School of Economics, Palley enjoyed a successful career as an art dealer. Then he decided to go sailing. In his 60s and 70s he made three transatlantic crossings and a circumnavigation of the world in his 46-foot sailboat, Unlikely VII. Along the way Palley, now age 82, has become the well-known boating writer of three books on cruising under sail as well as numerous articles in the boating press. He is also the author of The Porcelain Art of Edward Marshall Boehm and an upcoming book on Danish furniture. HOMETOWN: Key West, Florida

About this edition

• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0071388818
• ISBN 13: 9780071388818
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272