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I am 72 and bought my Aero new in January 2018 after sailing a Firefly and then a Europe when crewless at Restronguet SC in Cornwall. I trialled the Aero in November 2017 late in the season after my recovery from a Whipples procedure operation for pancreatic cancer in May 2016. That involved 29 staples to hold my abdomen together, which meant full hiking was not on the agenda in the first couple of seasons thereafter. Home gym circuit in the garden in 2020 helped restore full hiking fitness though, at least until I had a 100% blockage of a coronary main artery at the beginning of Falmouth Sailing Week in August 2022, requiring emergency treatment to fit a stent. That put paid to the rest of the 2022 season, but I lent my boat out to prospective Aero sailors at RSC to introduce them to the delights of the Aero grin. After proving myself swimming fit for the inevitable 'out-of-boat' experiences in March 2023, I began my return to club racing programme and am now fully back in the fray, as the growing fleet at RSC will attest. Go Aero Stentenarians!
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09/09/2024 07:40:00
pwc2463
Posts: 2
I fully agree as i'm "only" nearly 70
continue to sail in a grand masters team
locate in Italy nearby Rome
Have fun with your aero!
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continue to sail in a grand masters team
locate in Italy nearby Rome
Have fun with your aero!
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05/09/2024 12:14:00
Aerobasol
Posts: 28
At 74, I'm the oldest in our local fleet. I've sailed dinghies all my life and this boat is indeed fun and fast. Yes you will capsize, but getting back in is easier than many boats. I weigh 165 lbs and sail a 7 rig comfortably. I also have a 9 rig for lighter days. I enjoy sailing the Aero for a afternoon or evening sail by myself as well as participating in our club races and traveling to other venues. I'm not the best sailor the fleet as the boat requires quick reaction to conditions and I've slowed down abit. However, some of the best sailors are in their mid 60s, so age can't be the reason not to get the boat.
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04/09/2024 21:24:00
sfbaymike
Posts: 1
Zevon, where are you in CT? We have a large fleet of Aeros in Westport at Cedar Point YC, and would love to meet you and your daughter!
Marc Jacobi
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Marc Jacobi
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03/09/2024 00:21:00
heymatey
Posts: 34
Don't give up! I changed to an Aero 2 years ago after almot 50 years in Lasers. The windward capsize was quite a surprise to me too. I eventually got over it snd love the boat! Although last sail I flipped clearing weeds from the CB. Just part of the fun!
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02/09/2024 01:19:00
DPowell
Posts: 1
I am 62 and a reasonable dinghy sailor but have limited racing experience. I bought an Aero as a way to improve my skills and have great fun for the next several years. Alas, the CT, USA lake that I sail is mostly narrow and surrounded by hills making the wind a bit challenging. I found myself capsizing winward when the wind disappears a bit too often. I still have my Aero because my much lighter and collegiate sailor daughter LOVES it! I have recently purchased a Melges 14 which I find to be athletic and just a bit more forgiving in variable winds. With improved skills, I am looking forward to getting back on the Aero soon.
I love all the stories told above from "older" sailors. Thank you for all of the inspiration!
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I love all the stories told above from "older" sailors. Thank you for all of the inspiration!
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28/08/2024 20:57:00
Zevon
Posts: 5
Megan, reviewing the board and ran across your post from a long time ago. I am in Colorado and interested in an AERO. I am curious if you ever bought one. Now at the end of 2023 seems there are none in CO. If you did what was your impression of the boat. I too want to race the local venues and most likely will be the only AERO on the water vs. ILCA/Laser's but seems like a really fun boat. Thanks
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20/12/2023 04:52:00
jelaero
Posts: 3
In March I'll become 66. I started with the Aero 2 years ago. First with a 7 but this improved to be too demanding at the beginning. Before I was a windsurfer for 25 years and all the trained reflexes came out to be a hindrance for efficent Aero sailing. However the reprogramming went on and last year it was almost completely a season with the 7.
I am sailing on the Schweriner lake. Easy going with north west and pretty demanding with south west, the predominant condition. Propably I will order a 9 rigg for this year.
Although at the moment I am watching longingly videos with the RS 700 asking myself if I am too old for this.
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08/01/2017 12:04:50
Cogito
Posts: 4
I Have not been on the forums for a while and have just today seen this. I am the Bow Mar Aero owner. I am 67 years old and love sailing the Aero. I have the 9 rig and am comfortable sailing it in winds up to 20 mph. I plan on ordering a 7 rig this winter. In winds above 20 I think the 7 rig will be faster. The 9 will depower, but is so touchy when depowered it is difficult to keep moving to windward in shifty winds. The foils are very efficient. They allow the boat to lay a much more advantageous course to windward than a laser as long as you keep the speed up.
Since the boat is so light I think it is ideal for handling on the beach. If you have not already taken delivery I would be happy to let you try it out. If you have you are welcome to come sail at Bow Mar as my guest.
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12/12/2016 19:15:09
neilray
Posts: 19
04/11/2016 22:59:33
Megan_5280
Posts: 24
For me (age 60), the RS Aero is a training boat for racing my small keel boat (Open 7.50) and likely a 26' foiling cat that I'm looking at. Basically want to get better at trimming, and build overall sailing skills. And for that nothing beats a small dinghy. Great to see that with a bit of training and focus on fitness and mobility, I have another 20+ years with small boat sailing!
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04/11/2016 11:39:34
Thorkild
Posts: 3
Peter Conway is our senior sailor at Lymington. Video here of him out in 28kn gusts in the RS Aero 5 and January 2015 when 80 years old! He has had a couple more birthdays since then and last weekend was out in each of his two trapeze boats on Saturday and Sunday.
Pete is also a keen cyclist. He believes that provided you keep these pursuits up then you keep the relevant fitness and mobility and can keep going. Only when you stop do they then become a greater challenge. Wise words, hopefully we can all enjoy many more active years than we might think.
There have been a couple of less physically able sailors in their late 70s who have enjoyed the experience of the RS Aero for a season then sensibly decided to savour the memory and move on.
Megan-
58 y/o? That is nearly young!
There is an RS Aero at Bow Mar YC near you.
Lots of RS Aero owners are enjoying general sailing as well as, or instead of, racing. I suggest you familiarise by working up through the lower wind ranges and then choose to do a race if it suits you - that can provide a goal. But maybe avoid the 28kn gusts of the video!
There is an RS Aero at Bow Mar YC near you.
Lots of RS Aero owners are enjoying general sailing as well as, or instead of, racing. I suggest you familiarise by working up through the lower wind ranges and then choose to do a race if it suits you - that can provide a goal. But maybe avoid the 28kn gusts of the video!
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04/11/2016 10:34:58
Peter Barton
Posts: 4971
03/11/2016 20:49:27
Phill
Posts: 33
Phill - in respect of "reaching the mainsheet from the stern" - earlier this year I lengthened my mainsheet and whilst I still have a stopper knot at the ratchet block I tied the tail of the rope around the toestrap loop at the stern.
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03/11/2016 18:56:15
Posts: 0
Thanks everyone for the encouragement! I may have a tough job selling the idea to my husband who is not a dinghy sailor. Since we live in Colorado, I have all winter to obsess about this boat and look for a used one (fingers crossed!). Cathy, your comments from a woman's POV were especially helpful.
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03/11/2016 13:27:42
Megan_5280
Posts: 24
I'm a mere youngster of 62 but I can still keep up with the kids. Generally 9 unless its blowing over 15 kn. 7 in anything.
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03/11/2016 11:57:25
Gareth
Posts: 173
Sailing the aero has been a pleasure. It's just the lightness of it. I'm so looking forward to next year. On shore of course it's nice and easy on the beach. Capsize righting has worried me a bit but I am advised to put my weight on the stern self bailers to sink the stern fully, then slide in - no bending required! If I could find a way of reaching the main sheet it would be easier still.
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03/11/2016 11:51:29
Phill
Posts: 33
Megan, as as the other replies so far are from guys, I thought you might like to hear a female perspective. I'm 54 and only learnt to sail 4 years ago. I've had my Aero for 2 years, and although I only weigh 55kg I can keep the 5 rig upright when it's gusting over 30knots. When the wind is that strong I have to depower the boat so much that it loses most of its drive upwind, and those with 20kg more weight and 20years more experience can drive their Aeros forward in a way that I can't. But nevertheless, I can still go out in that wind when most of my non-Aero female friends will watch from the shore. Cathy
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03/11/2016 11:34:40
Cathy
Posts: 5
I started sailing again last year, after a 35 year layoff. I bought a laser to start with, but was tempted to buy a second hand Aero earlier this year, particularly in view of the lighter handling on shore. I've persevered with the Laser, but struggle in gusty conditions, (Radial rig), so I haven't yet launched the Aero for fear of damaging it. I have a 5 and a 7 rig so I will now go and give the Aero with the 5 a try, thanks to Phill's post. I am 72....with a hip problem, and still an optimist.
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Phill and Vic Simpson, I admire you guys, well done. At 52 I am going to stop wingeing and sail more.
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03/11/2016 10:46:09
Brian
Posts: 20
Brilliant post Phill and I couldn't agree more. As a young upstart at only 66, I love my Aero and actually manage to sail the 7 in wind and keep the 9 for the Wednesday evening race when the summer coastal wind is guaranteed to drop off! I just feel so much more comfortable in the Aero rather than the Laser and you can have so much fun with it, not to mention that it is so much easier to pull up our slipway! Vic
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03/11/2016 10:27:56
Vic Simpson
Posts: 5
I'm a 71 year old and thought I was taking a chance with buying an aero last summer. However I've taken it easily using the 5m sail when there was no safety boat and looking forward to using the 7m sail and planing fully when there is one. The boat seems to be gentler than a laser and gybing is much easier. Practice the capsize when the weather is warmer. As for racing, forget the mystique. Just start the race by following the pack and keeping away from them while you learn the rules. When you work out your starboard rule, windward boat rule, overlap at the buoy rule and starting signal you will be drinking at the bar with the rest.
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03/11/2016 09:37:24
Phill
Posts: 33
I want to race in local club races against lasers and similar boats. Is this boat too much for a 58 y/o who wants to grow into it? I know how to sail but have limited racing experience.
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02/11/2016 22:23:51
Megan_5280
Posts: 24
