An 80-year-old sailor who was rescued after 10 days in the Gulf of Mexico is staying at a Houston homeless shelter while acquaintances try to retrieve his sailboat.

Yacht dealer Jim Hedges says Kenneth Ketchum sold his home _ a recreational vehicle _ to buy the boat, which remains stranded at sea Thursday. Ketchum had been sailing solo to Mexico.

Hedges says Ketchum went to the shelter after his release from the hospital Wednesday. He says he is organizing efforts to get the boat to port.

A Coast Guard helicopter found Ketchum about 115 miles from Sabine on Tuesday after he sent a distress signal.

___

Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com