Heinz Albers is 81 years old. But that doesn't stop the former architect from Wilhelmshaven from living on his boat for several months every summer. The English Channel, the German coast, Denmark, Sweden - he and his wife have already seen a lot. Stop? That's not an option - at least not yet. For Thomas Wöltjen, 73, however, the decision has been made. "There's a tear in my eye," he says, but the decision remains. His Beneteau First 42 is to be sold. Instead of on the water, he will continue on the road in future - with a motorhome.
Two men, both of whom have been on the water for decades. Both are faced with the same decision. Nevertheless, they draw different conclusions to a perhaps unpleasant but unavoidable question: when will sailing come to an end?
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It is an uncomfortable topic for many, one that is rarely talked about - but the sailing scene is getting older and older. Figures from the German Maritime Industry Association (VMWD) paint a clear picture in this respect: the average age of sailors is 62. The boomers born between 1955 and 1969 drive this figure upwards. But 62 years - is that even old? The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines it: The transition to old age begins between the ages of 60 and 65. People up to the age of 75 are considered "young old", beyond that as elderly, and from the age of 89 as very old.
But what do such categories really say? The decisive factor is: This moment will come at some point. Thomas Wöltjen and Heinz Albers are currently experiencing it - and dealing with it in completely different ways. Their stories show how personal this decision is.
Saying goodbye to sailing - a taboo subject?
Thomas Wöltjen has been sailing since the age of twelve. As a teenager, he competed in dinghy regattas, switching to a tall ship at the age of thirty. He sailed in major races, crossed the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. "I've experienced everything," says Wöltjen. In the end, he left his boat in the water all year round - you never know if you might not want to sail on New Year's Eve. In the summers, he sailed with his wife for several months at a time. But too many rainy summers wear down even a decades-long passion. "You become more sensitive in old age, for example when it comes to heat," says Wöltjen. "You become more comfortable. It's just the way it is." The family swapped the boat for a motorhome - and acquired a taste for it. They now have their own. "When others are stuck in the harbour in bad weather, we can just keep going."
Why is there so little talk about age and saying goodbye to sailing? Wöltjen explains it like this: "Many owners know exactly what they have invested in their boats. They want to preserve this value - both materially and emotionally - for as long as possible." Many don't want to admit that their bodies then go on strike. Several septuagenarians in his circle of acquaintances are also toying with the idea of quitting.
The figures from the industry association VMWD confirm this: on average, people stop sailing at the age of 75. That is around five years later than in 2019, when around half of owners parted with their boat at the age of 70. The average age of sailors has also risen - from the mid-fifties to 62 today.
How can people stay active?
Age is a sore point for many, says Jens Kroker, Managing Director of the Turning Point Foundation. The organisation is committed to inclusion in sailing - and physical impairments often play a central role in this. Kroker knows the problem from conversations: Restrictions come with age and people are less and less confident about getting on a boat. Many don't want to talk about it. "They would rather sell their boats and give up sailing than switch to accessible alternatives."
Kroker would like to see more openness. Only when there is a discourse on the topic can the various barriers in this area be broken down. But this is a social problem, not one that only affects sailing. "I believe the topic will increasingly concern us as a society: How can people stay active in sport? Which sports are suitable?" says Kroker.
The Turning Point Foundation is already working on initial approaches. Their solution: a sponsorship model. It brings older and younger sailors together. The youngsters take on tasks where older people reach their limits. In return, they use a boat that they would otherwise not be able to afford and the older people receive support on board. "It's a win-win situation," says Jens Kroker. The first examples already exist. More are to follow.
"The time will come at some point"
Thomas Wöltjen stands by his decision. "At some point, the zenith is passed. Then many factors come together," he says. Sailing is one thing, health is another. Wöltjen has recently been dealing with balance problems. Climbing a ladder is difficult for him. "At some point you get to that point," he says, when you can no longer handle everything yourself or move safely on board. "Then you have to be sensible." And so the Wöltjens sell their boat.
Stanley Paris also realised this. Instead of shifting down a gear, he wanted to aim high again: as the oldest person, he wanted to sail non-stop around the world at the age of 80. He made several attempts, starting again and again in Florida with his "Kiwi Spirit II". But the attempts in 2014, 2015 and 2018 failed. The final end followed in spring 2022. On his last attempt, the autopilot went on strike to such an extent that Paris had to stop over in Cape Town. This was compounded by health problems. A swollen prostate finally forced him to return home. He later wrote on his blog: "As a younger man, I never thought about health risks - only physical dangers. Now, as an octogenarian, I have to put them at the top of the list." It was his last blog post. Since then, the dedicated sailor has gone quiet.
Upgrading instead of hiring
Heinz Albers also wanted to be sensible. He wanted to be able to sail his boat even in old age. That was clear when he bought his Contest 43 a few years ago - his "pensioner's boat", as he says, and his seventh boat. He had the foresight to upgrade. Everything had to be age-appropriate: 100 hp engine, electric winches, 10 hp bow thruster and furling sails. He put up with the ridicule from friends and club mates. "They said I was an awning or button sailor." He laughs. But now, in his old age, it's paying off. He can sail the yacht comfortably - alone if necessary.
Albers ran an architecture firm until he was 73 years old. He retired eight years ago and now only does what he enjoys. Every summer, he and his wife go sailing for several months. Most recently in the Baltic Sea, and before that in the English Channel along the French coast. Guernsey, Visby - they know many harbours. He also knows some people who have switched to a "paddle steamer" - in other words, a motorhome. In winter, they use them to travel south. "I don't fancy that. I'd rather be on my boat. As long as I can do that, I don't need a paddle steamer."
His secret recipe? "You have to take it easy," says Albers. Instead of 100 or more nautical miles at a stretch, today it's more like 35, and in good weather they stay in harbour a day longer. "We used to sail day and night. Now we sail to harbours we know and enjoy it."
Senior sailing courses get beginners on the water
Taking it easy: this doesn't just work for experienced cruising sailors. Even those who want to try something new in old age will find happiness this way. Torsten Chudzik is convinced of this. He runs the Rerik sailing school and offers basic courses for senior citizens five times a year - a rarity in Germany. Only a few schools have such courses in their programme. The weekly courses are fully booked every time, he says. They sail on a Saturn 27, which is ideal for people with physical disabilities - as is the sailing area. The shallow salt lagoon south of Rerik offers protection and creates ideal conditions for beginners. And the concept works, the feedback is consistently positive, says Chudzik. Senior citizens from all over Germany travel to the small town in the north-west of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to learn to sail - or to fulfil a long-cherished childhood dream.
Unlike regular basic courses, the week does not necessarily end with the basic licence. Instead, the participants of the senior basic course choose for themselves - either they take the exam and go home with a licence, or they leave it at the practical experience they have gained during the course. For some, the stress of the exam is simply too much, says Chudzik. "The seniors still have sailing on their agenda, but no longer want to agonise over exams." They then take it easy and enjoy their time on the water.
No right or wrong
Heinz Albers also wants to take it easy. He and his wife will be setting off again next summer - this time in the direction of Öresund. "I'm happy with the way things are. Everything is going well. I have time and can enjoy it." When will he call it a day? He doesn't know yet. But he shares Thomas Wöltjen's opinion: when you can no longer move safely on board, then it's over.
It is examples like these that show: There is no right or wrong when deciding to stop sailing. Instead, there are many different paths. Thomas Wöltjen chose to say goodbye with melancholy, but without regret. Heinz Albers, on the other hand, continues to live his passion and instead favours technical aids and serenity. And in the end, that's what counts: It's your own path that you take, not your age.
Figures on sailing in old age
- 64.7 years - is the average age people in Germany are when they retire. This is shown by data from Deutsche Rentenversicherung. This means that many employees stop working even before they have reached the standard retirement age. The standard retirement age is now 67 for those born from 1964 onwards, but only around 40 per cent of pensioners actually reach this age. The most common reasons for this are deductions for early retirement (up to 14.4 per cent with up to 3 years' notice), reduced earning capacity pensions or partial pensions. This figure has risen steadily since 2017.
- 89 years was Harry Heckel when he completed his second circumnavigation (with stops) on the 32-foot yawl "Idle Queen" in 2005 as the oldest person to date. The American's ten-year voyage immediately followed his previous trip - he had only just returned. In terms of a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation, however, the Australian Bill Hatfield is the record holder: with 81 years he completed his solo circumnavigation of the globe in 2020. The oldest woman is the Brit Jeanne Socrates. She circumnavigated the globe in 2019 with 77 years solo the world, non-stop and without help.
Fabian Boerger
Editor News & Panorama
