On a recent sail across Lake Michigan with 5-7 foot rollers, somewhere around mid passage, my lovely wife was led to give back her lunch to the sea as a sacrifice to calm the waves. Even though she was wearing her trusty scapalomine patch, she was leaning over the rail at about 6 knots. The trouble is, she was on the windward side and I had no escape from my duties at the helm. Here is my question, barfing to windward is not found in my latest edition of Chapman's or any other reference that I have. If she would have leaned to leeward, it would have been better for me but not so safe for her due to the angle of heel. What is the proper etiquette, to avoid the spray but lose the crew or to keep to windward and don the foul weather gear? By the way, we were both harnessed and tethered.
- Status
I believe...
I believe that's why the sugar-scoop stern and/or stern rail seats were created. Anything that gives one the ability to be down-wind and/or away from the hull is desirable. ;-) Dave
I believe that's why the sugar-scoop stern and/or stern rail seats were created. Anything that gives one the ability to be down-wind and/or away from the hull is desirable. ;-) Dave
Do what works best...
...but give advice. I have an interesting story very similar to yours. My sister-in-law wanted to place my departed brother-in-law's ashes at sea. My wife and I took her out in our sailboat. When we reached the designated spot, I was circling the buoy where he would be given up to the ocean. She didn't account for the wind as I was circling and as she poured the remains overboard, the wind shift sent him across the stern and into the water. A good amount of the ashes ended up in the dinghy. Upon return, I washed out the dinghy, but we like to say in tribute, that for the remainder of the season, he followed us to every destination that we made.
...but give advice. I have an interesting story very similar to yours. My sister-in-law wanted to place my departed brother-in-law's ashes at sea. My wife and I took her out in our sailboat. When we reached the designated spot, I was circling the buoy where he would be given up to the ocean. She didn't account for the wind as I was circling and as she poured the remains overboard, the wind shift sent him across the stern and into the water. A good amount of the ashes ended up in the dinghy. Upon return, I washed out the dinghy, but we like to say in tribute, that for the remainder of the season, he followed us to every destination that we made.
Never stand to Windward of the Captain!
While I admit it would be unfortunate to lose crew over the side, nothing should interfere with the captains enjoyment of the day. Of course my boat doesn't exactly follow Navy regs and traditions either. When my wife starts turning green and I can tell it's just a matter of time before she blows, I try to get her behind the wheel. It often takes her mind off the sickness. If that doesn't work well, just duck and cover.
While I admit it would be unfortunate to lose crew over the side, nothing should interfere with the captains enjoyment of the day. Of course my boat doesn't exactly follow Navy regs and traditions either. When my wife starts turning green and I can tell it's just a matter of time before she blows, I try to get her behind the wheel. It often takes her mind off the sickness. If that doesn't work well, just duck and cover.
Leeward
Four of us took a 68 hour trip (beating into the wind) up to Mackinaw two weeks ago. Two of my fellow sailors had similar gifts for the lake. Harnessd in, they both chose leeward side.
Four of us took a 68 hour trip (beating into the wind) up to Mackinaw two weeks ago. Two of my fellow sailors had similar gifts for the lake. Harnessd in, they both chose leeward side.
Remedy
The long treasured remedy for sea sickness on the windward rail is a small bucket. It is best attached to a lanyard which is in turn attached to the stricken sailor. The there is no need to move in order to barf - just haul in the bucket and let fly.
The long treasured remedy for sea sickness on the windward rail is a small bucket. It is best attached to a lanyard which is in turn attached to the stricken sailor. The there is no need to move in order to barf - just haul in the bucket and let fly.
downwind
If it's going to be a relatively quick operation, I'd be willing to turn downwind and level the boat for a few minutes while the fish are being fed. But if someone is queasy enough to stay on the rail for a while, I think the bucket idea is probably the best. Thankfully, I've not had to deal with this issue yet. *knock on wood* I'd better keep that bucket handy, though.
If it's going to be a relatively quick operation, I'd be willing to turn downwind and level the boat for a few minutes while the fish are being fed. But if someone is queasy enough to stay on the rail for a while, I think the bucket idea is probably the best. Thankfully, I've not had to deal with this issue yet. *knock on wood* I'd better keep that bucket handy, though.
funny what men learn early
and women are slower to learn. From an early age I knew that you never " " into the wind. It was a simple extension to barfing. My wife barfed into the sink and the head a couple of times. She was sweet and cleaned up before I went below. A friend's girlfriend barfed upwind as he held her belt and nothing came on deck!!! She was leaning pretty far over the rail. I think at the time she was hoping to drown quickly and falling overboard would have been a blessing. My son barfed off the stern a technique that was probably an extension of normal emissions. My question is how long do you allow quests family,whoever to barf before you head in for the day??? Fortunately they have "dry heaves" after an hour or so and stop making a mess,but should they be allowed to ruin a good day's sailing?? Part of me feels real bad letting them lay and groan for hours. Fortunately I've never had seasickness empathy will probably increase after my first bad case.
and women are slower to learn. From an early age I knew that you never " " into the wind. It was a simple extension to barfing. My wife barfed into the sink and the head a couple of times. She was sweet and cleaned up before I went below. A friend's girlfriend barfed upwind as he held her belt and nothing came on deck!!! She was leaning pretty far over the rail. I think at the time she was hoping to drown quickly and falling overboard would have been a blessing. My son barfed off the stern a technique that was probably an extension of normal emissions. My question is how long do you allow quests family,whoever to barf before you head in for the day??? Fortunately they have "dry heaves" after an hour or so and stop making a mess,but should they be allowed to ruin a good day's sailing?? Part of me feels real bad letting them lay and groan for hours. Fortunately I've never had seasickness empathy will probably increase after my first bad case.
Weather cloths
During the last Marion-Bermuda race, two of my crew members had to empty their stomachs in a hurry early the first night. Fortunately, they instinctively rushed to leeward but, unfortunately, the required numbered weather cloths collected the spray from my incapacitated sailors. Needless to say that it was hard to endure the site for the next 3 days in spite of copious buckets of water. As for the crew, one got well next day but the other continued spraying the weather cloth until the last day. After the fact, I realized that the swimming platform is the best barfing spot in my boat. You do need to harness the patient and keep him/her well tide to the boat unless he/she asks otherwise.
During the last Marion-Bermuda race, two of my crew members had to empty their stomachs in a hurry early the first night. Fortunately, they instinctively rushed to leeward but, unfortunately, the required numbered weather cloths collected the spray from my incapacitated sailors. Needless to say that it was hard to endure the site for the next 3 days in spite of copious buckets of water. As for the crew, one got well next day but the other continued spraying the weather cloth until the last day. After the fact, I realized that the swimming platform is the best barfing spot in my boat. You do need to harness the patient and keep him/her well tide to the boat unless he/she asks otherwise.
Sometime You have to Re-Learn
My technique for either was to lean on the backstay. My present boat does not have one still have figured out what the best wat would be. 10 months of the year we just wait untill all feel the need put the boat in irons and we all take a dip. When someone starts to feel poorly we head right back in. There are two stages first you are afraid you are going to die and then your afraid you are not. No sense in putting everyone through the misery.
My technique for either was to lean on the backstay. My present boat does not have one still have figured out what the best wat would be. 10 months of the year we just wait untill all feel the need put the boat in irons and we all take a dip. When someone starts to feel poorly we head right back in. There are two stages first you are afraid you are going to die and then your afraid you are not. No sense in putting everyone through the misery.
Serves You Right
Serves you right you big ugly brute. I'll bet she had been down below making you coffee and sandwiches. Many Women don't like boats they just tolerate them to be with their menfolk. Next time treat the poor lady right and she will feel less inclined to honk all over you. Just kidding - or am I?
Serves you right you big ugly brute. I'll bet she had been down below making you coffee and sandwiches. Many Women don't like boats they just tolerate them to be with their menfolk. Next time treat the poor lady right and she will feel less inclined to honk all over you. Just kidding - or am I?
Control your heel
Controlling your heel would go a long way to making the first mate feel better. Flattening sails and lower the traveler would make a great deal of sense, not to mention that the boat would be a lot more comfortable and controllable and your speed would actually increase.
Controlling your heel would go a long way to making the first mate feel better. Flattening sails and lower the traveler would make a great deal of sense, not to mention that the boat would be a lot more comfortable and controllable and your speed would actually increase.
Barfing aboard
I vote for the barf bucket. If it's large enough, she can get her head inside which will limit the spray and muffle the sound, too.
I vote for the barf bucket. If it's large enough, she can get her head inside which will limit the spray and muffle the sound, too.
Keep her from Barfing
You should try the new ReliefBand electronic motion sickness device. The device is worn on the underside of the wrist like a watch. The electronic device delivers a mild electrical shock that is supposed to disrupt the brains impulse to Barf. You need to apply a gel over your skin where the electrode makes contact with your skin. The device has five intensity levels, adjusted by the wearer. The electronic device is the twenty-first century equivalent of Chinese Acupuncture. The device is FDA approved for pregnant women's morning sickness and for use as a remedy for motion sickness. There is supposed to be almost no side effects as compared to motion sickness drugs. It's about $70 to $130, depending on where you get it. You can get the ReliefBand at West Marine, outdoor stores, aviation stores, or try your local retail pharmacies. I don't get sea sick, so I don't know how well the device works. Most of the news report has been positive and they seem to work on most people. Having the ReliefBand and being able to stay on the water and not have to return to port if a crew member is seasick is priceless if it works. Fair Winds, Clyde
You should try the new ReliefBand electronic motion sickness device. The device is worn on the underside of the wrist like a watch. The electronic device delivers a mild electrical shock that is supposed to disrupt the brains impulse to Barf. You need to apply a gel over your skin where the electrode makes contact with your skin. The device has five intensity levels, adjusted by the wearer. The electronic device is the twenty-first century equivalent of Chinese Acupuncture. The device is FDA approved for pregnant women's morning sickness and for use as a remedy for motion sickness. There is supposed to be almost no side effects as compared to motion sickness drugs. It's about $70 to $130, depending on where you get it. You can get the ReliefBand at West Marine, outdoor stores, aviation stores, or try your local retail pharmacies. I don't get sea sick, so I don't know how well the device works. Most of the news report has been positive and they seem to work on most people. Having the ReliefBand and being able to stay on the water and not have to return to port if a crew member is seasick is priceless if it works. Fair Winds, Clyde
Dr. Johnson
Dr. Johnson suggested that the cure for sea sickness was to find a large oak tree, wrap your arms around it and DON'T LET GO!
Dr. Johnson suggested that the cure for sea sickness was to find a large oak tree, wrap your arms around it and DON'T LET GO!
"Remedy" is the Remedy
Garry... Your "remedy" is absolutely the way we have always handled the situation in my family...Tradition being what it is,Great Grand-daddy taught Grand-daddy,who taught Dad, who taught me and I am passing it along, so to speak, to my son...Seems as though it's much easier to keep the "BARF" off, not only the boat and other parties, but the "BARFER" too, using this method...And we all know that the addition of barf to one's person often encourages more "chumming"
Doesn't matter at all, but seems that I remember the tree cure as such... "A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree." credited to actor Spike Milligan...he's also credited with saying "Money can't buy you friends, but you get a better class of enemy." If I recall, Dr. Johnson did make a comment about ships and the sea when he stated... "A ship is like a prison with the possibility of drowning" I think both are listed in the The Oxford Book of the Sea...anyway, doesn't matter.. Thanks for the Remedy..
Garry... Your "remedy" is absolutely the way we have always handled the situation in my family...Tradition being what it is,Great Grand-daddy taught Grand-daddy,who taught Dad, who taught me and I am passing it along, so to speak, to my son...Seems as though it's much easier to keep the "BARF" off, not only the boat and other parties, but the "BARFER" too, using this method...And we all know that the addition of barf to one's person often encourages more "chumming"
Doesn't matter at all, but seems that I remember the tree cure as such... "A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree." credited to actor Spike Milligan...he's also credited with saying "Money can't buy you friends, but you get a better class of enemy." If I recall, Dr. Johnson did make a comment about ships and the sea when he stated... "A ship is like a prison with the possibility of drowning" I think both are listed in the The Oxford Book of the Sea...anyway, doesn't matter.. Thanks for the Remedy..- Status