Georgs commented "The flip side of the question--and perhaps more pertinent here--is when is one too old to make ocean passages?" Probably when you think you're too old. Last year at 68 I crewed aboard a 32 foot boat from Port Hardy to Valdez, AK for a month, and then in August I crewed from Hawaii to SF. This year in August, beginning on my 69th birthday, went from Bellingham to SF aboard the 32 foot boat. The 32 foot boat, is owned and skippered by a friend who acts half my age at 79. With regard to these young sailors singlehanding around the world my hats off to them. I was aboard Mike Perham's boat, the British sailor, at the Southampton Boat Show before he left and met his mom and dad. In my experience (in the past as a signlehanded sailor) a night or two at sea alone usually weeds out those who aren't ready. Robby F/V Dolores E.