As regards health and age being reasons for having to give up boating. I am fairly ancient and until last year I could still do locks and enjoy all aspects of canal boating. I thought that would go on forever. Then I had eye problems and needed 5 operations, then it was a replacement hip but after a bit of recovery I was able to do all the boating activities until I was hit by heart problems which mean I can no longer do locks as I get out of puff easily. We changed lock duties and I now take the boat through locks, which I find much less enjoyable.
This just a salutary tale of how quickly things can go downhill 🙂