Sea Legs on Land...

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Squidd

Squidd

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Sep 26, 2011
890
AMF Alcort Paceship PY26 Washburn Wi. Apostle Islands
OK kind of an odd question, but something I'm noticing again after a sailing weekend...

Spent last three days on the boat... Little lumpy the first day, somewhat smooth (other than boat wakes) the last two days....

And now that I'm home and sitting at the computer I'm kind of "rocking" back and forth, kind of a wave action in my chair...I noticed it last time I was back from a three day trip, and it went away in a day or so...

I haven't gotten sick on the boat and I'm not ill now...

So...just wondering if this is normal..? Or I should go see a doctor for an inner ear equilibrium problem...?
 
Slow Mo^cean

Slow Mo^cean

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Jul 1, 2012
155
Catalina C22 Georgetown
I get the same thing. It usually goes away after a few hours or a nice nap. Some people get it, others don't. The more you sail, the more you will get used to it. At least it does for me..
 
W

Winkfish

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Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
Normal, unless it's causing problems walking, standing, etc. I always look at it as a pleasant reminder of a good trip. If you are really concerned, go see a doc to be sure.
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,195
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Happens to me all the time after a day or longer out in the open ocean. My "sea legs" don't go away for a day or so.
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,152
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
normal.. also can cause you to bump into the shower walls when ya get home.. Seems like the longer I am out there, the longer the sea legs last but are usually gone in a day or so..
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Hence the term "drunk as a sailor" . Sleeping at home after a few days on the boat is just like being on the boat, I get the perception of the rocking of the boat. I just consider it a bonus.
 
Squidd

Squidd

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Sep 26, 2011
890
AMF Alcort Paceship PY26 Washburn Wi. Apostle Islands
Cool...

I mean it is somewhat an enjoyable feeling and like mentioned a "reminder" or bonus of the trip past...
 
zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
the proper nickname for it is landsickness




but who is proper....
 
R

Rob2435

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Jun 4, 2004
287
Beneteau Oceanis 352 NYC
Funny "sea legs" story. After fishing on a rough Lake Ontario for the day we head to the bar for a few after fishing beers. When nature calls we head to the men's room, I hold on to the urinal valve, my buddy doesn't...he falls straight back and ends up on the floor while still going. It was one of the funniest things I've seen!
 
zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
slomo--

and yer gills curl.....
 
Kermit

Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,717
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
First Mate and I sometimes feel the same swells at the same time. Makes for great conversation. We never considered it anything to worry about.
 
Scott

Scott

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Sep 24, 1997
242
Hunter 31_83-87 Middle River, Md
As everyone has said, absolutely normal. It's especially noticeable while taking your first, very refreshing shower on land. If I close my eyes in the shower after a few days at sea, I bump into the walls - have to be careful.:confused::)
 
Dan Hill

Dan Hill

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Dec 16, 2006
353
Hunter 25.5 Cayuga Lake, NY
I "suffer" the same symptoms after a few days afloat. The best cure is to get back on the boat :). During our recent delivery trip my daughter was worried about seasickness, after 2 days she found she felt better on the water than land. It's all normal, enjoy the extra ride.
 
njsail

njsail

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Feb 18, 2010
216
Bavaria Ocean 40 CC Forked River
I found a solution....just move aboard the boat and live happily ever after. Add drink with paper umbrella at 5 and be happy. If a neighbor bothers you...just pick up anchor and move with the wind. Don't forget to bring along a Jimmy Buffet or Eric Stone CD.
 
T

taime01

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Aug 5, 2011
1
MacGregor 26s Ottawa, ON
I used to work on a tour boat in Georgian Bay, after a good run in the chop we'd get to shore feeling pretty wobbly.

We called it "stillness illness".
 
Steve W

Steve W

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Jun 2, 2004
217
Hunter 376 Oyster Bay, LI, NY
You really have to understand how sea sickness works. The situation in your ears before you step on the boat is that the fluid in your inner ear is stable and "matches" what your eyes see, essentially a flat horizon. When you get onboard and start moving that inner ear fluid starts sloshing around. For the most part, with most people (and some are a LOT more prone to seasickness) you'd be okay as long as that "moving" horizon matches the sloshing fluid. If you go below, however, the inner ear fluid is still sloshing but what you see is rock stable (interior cabinetry, etc..). That "conflict" is what starts the seasickness process. Usually once you're back up on deck that queasy feeling starts to go away as the sloshing fluid is once again in alignment with what you're seeing.

If you're out on the boat for a while - like at least a full day - then that rolling motion becomes normal. But when you get back to land and start walking, the reverse happens (without the queasy feeling) and it takes a while for the ear canal fluid to settle down as you're walking on a solid non-moving surface. You WILL be rolling a bit - hence the drunken sailor analogy.

After my first offshore trip (on a Shannon 38 back from Bermuda to Stamford, CT) we pulled into the marina and made a mad dash for the marina's heads to take care of business on a "throne" which wasn't moving. As soon as I sat down, I had to reach out with both arms to steady myself on the stall walls! I was convinced I was about to fall off the dammed thing!
 
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