Hobbies Sailing: I was a keen sailor... - British Heart Fou...

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Hobbies Sailing

Alicant profile image
12 Replies

I was a keen sailor until diagnosis…anyone go sailing ..cruising not dinghy..with HF diagnosis..I think my skipper/owner friends are concerned!

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Alicant profile image
Alicant
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12 Replies

Do they fear you may have a heart attack while you are out at sea? If you feel well enough perhaps you could offer to crew in light wind conditions so they are not worried you will over exert yourself or make sure there are 2 or 3 crew ing so if you were to tire there are others who can deal with the sails while you rest in the cabin etc. Perhaps a honest discussion is needed. I am sure other will share their experiences.

Nodoubt2 profile image
Nodoubt2

hi there

Yes I sail. I was diagnosed with afib 18 months ago ( not heart failure) and was dramatically admitted to A&E in Pollensa ( to be cardioverted) when we were cruising there last year . I wasn’t allowed to skipper the boat back to Alicante by my consultant! So had the bear the cost of paying for a skipper to take it back for me and we flew back. It’s been a bit of a roller coaster but we are now about to do a trip to Ibiza and back. When I’m off shore I now always have another person on board just in case I become unable to sail. When I’m coastal sailing I just cross fingers and hope for the best. My hubby sadly has Alzheimer’s and has completely forgotten how to sail the boat so I am sailing single handed really.

I’m just getting on with life, I know I’m taking small risks but I’m keeping fit and healthy and just being sensible. If I don’t feel 100% I don’t go out sailing

Try not to let it affect your life, do try explaining to others that you sail with that’s it’s not as bad as it sounds . Good luck

Alicant profile image
Alicant in reply toNodoubt2

Good day thanks for responding..So you are based in Alicante?We were on B pontoon LadyHawk of Madog..used to belong to Alan and Pauline who now have motorboat Don Maximo! So may have seen you..yes always preferred crewing myself ..no responsibility but lots of chances to input.Did lots of sailing last year in Eastern Med ..Greece Italy Sicily Malta ..very nice.My friends with boats are doctors and like long distance cruising ..like me but are a little reluctant to be off shore for few days with me..(so am I really) hence my question.Miss Alicante so much ..what’s your boat?

Nodoubt2 profile image
Nodoubt2 in reply toAlicant

HI there, our boat is No Doubt 2 on L pontoon. Pretty sure i recognise the name of your boat. Our daughter is actually on our boat this week, she has sailed it over to ibiza and we fly out directly there on saturday (we live in the UK, but spend a lot of time in alicante, 90 day rule allowing) we will be back in alicante around the 15th june ish. are you based out in alicante? or liek us drift between the two? do let me have a mobile number and i will contact you when we are back in alicante later in june kindest

Alicant profile image
Alicant in reply toNodoubt2

Good day..many thanks for your help and comments..we sold our boat last year..but do spend a lot of time in Alicante..I think you must be near Annie on that pontoon..she did quite a lot of work on our boat over the years..as you say the 90 day rule ..changed everything….another thing air travel changed dramatically…I will send mobile number direct if I can…Would like to have chat ..about boats conditions etc.So hopefully Nodoubt will 😉

Nodoubt2 profile image
Nodoubt2 in reply toAlicant

Ha only just seen this comment, yes Annie actually looks after our boat, so we know her very well, shes lovely. anything you want to ask etc fire away , either here or privately

Alicant profile image
Alicant in reply toNodoubt2

Yes you’re right ..she still looks after some Good friends boat Alan and Pauline on Don Maximo …..sure we’ll have a chat in Alicante ..lovely City

readyabout profile image
readyabout

Hi, I am a sailor with Pacemaker, after the initial 6 weeks, and the first two trips on 'light duties', I now crew or skipper as usual, I tell all what my situation is, and it is not a problem. I do not cruise in such exotic places as you, but Solent and South coast on a Sweden 390

Alicant profile image
Alicant in reply toreadyabout

Sweden 390 sounds rather nice 😉..yes I agree that as long as people are aware .. and of course being on South Coast access easy to emergency response ( hopefully) ..I am doing a trip on Friends Bavaria 47 next week..he is changing berths from Plymouth to Gosport.Hopefully leave Plymouth next Saturday 8th..towards Brixham for night ..catching slack at Portland Bill Sunday evening then departing for Gosport Premier Marina for new berth Monday…are any of those on your track? Our boats name Diatonic ..on Ais…Regards

readyabout profile image
readyabout in reply toAlicant

Sounds like a good trip, yacht is Ayers & Graces, based in Lymington, at the moment sailing Wednesdays, usually turn AIS off in Solent, so, who knows our wakes may cross

andybarn profile image
andybarn

i have sailed my 23 footer since my ha. Have just moved to a motor boat as my muscles were not up to clambering over the boat and putting away sails etc. but never any chest pain etc.

Alicant profile image
Alicant in reply toandybarn

Thanks Andy ..where do you keep your boat? Yes that’s most encouraging that people still get out on water..It’s a bit worrying at first ..but what I’m hearing is that time is helpful in reducing anxiety and helping to make thinks more in perspective.

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