Mal de mer, seasickness, or just plain nausea seems to affect everyone now and then. And, as the ads state, it occurs at a time and place when you least expect it. Some people seem to suffer most when the seas are high and the boat is rolling violently from side to side. Yet a number of others feel ill in just the opposite conditions: the wind is calm and seas have a long, gentle roll to them. As we know, motion sickness results when the brain experiences conflicting input from two separate senses. What our eyes see, and our inner ears feel, differ. That's why this kind of disorientation if often reduced or eliminated by going on deck and focusing on the horizon. Time is also a great healer for as you get your "sea legs," what your brain and inner ear sense come into alignment. Yet the process can be pretty uncomfortable. Have you or your crew ever gotten sea sick? If so, what were the conditions at the time? What did you or they do to reduce the nausea? Have you ever tried motion sickness pills? And what about those pressure bands applied to the wrists? Do they work? What has been your experience with sea sickness and how to overcome it? Tell us how you've dealt with it then take the quick quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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One cause on a 26M
Don't normally have a problem, but was down below on my 26M once and realised why I suddenly felt unwell. The cause is the mirror in the galley - I was seeing the opposite motion to the one I was feeling. Solution - don't look at the mirror or cover it up.
Don't normally have a problem, but was down below on my 26M once and realised why I suddenly felt unwell. The cause is the mirror in the galley - I was seeing the opposite motion to the one I was feeling. Solution - don't look at the mirror or cover it up.
MotionEase
We encourage all our guests to take MotionEase the night before, and during the trip. We have spare bottles we loan out. Available at Boaters World and Model's. We take it ourselves, but usually not until we are about to get underway. For our family, our worst experience was on a day we were becalmed, and attempted to play a board game in the boat, made us sick in about 5 minutes. (this was before we were using motion ease) For myself, the worst experience was during a class on the pacific ocean, just after leaving Half Moon Bay, California. One of the other students cooked up a delicious, but really greasy breakfast. I had 2nd's and 3rd's. What a mistake. Nearly all of us had some level of motion sickness, I was the worst, after we got into 4-6 foot sea's. In retrospect, rather then trying several remedies that ultimatly let me keep my breakfast, but otherwise almost incapacitated for 3 hours, I should have upchucked into the sea. Then, I would have been able to better enjoy the morning.
We encourage all our guests to take MotionEase the night before, and during the trip. We have spare bottles we loan out. Available at Boaters World and Model's. We take it ourselves, but usually not until we are about to get underway. For our family, our worst experience was on a day we were becalmed, and attempted to play a board game in the boat, made us sick in about 5 minutes. (this was before we were using motion ease) For myself, the worst experience was during a class on the pacific ocean, just after leaving Half Moon Bay, California. One of the other students cooked up a delicious, but really greasy breakfast. I had 2nd's and 3rd's. What a mistake. Nearly all of us had some level of motion sickness, I was the worst, after we got into 4-6 foot sea's. In retrospect, rather then trying several remedies that ultimatly let me keep my breakfast, but otherwise almost incapacitated for 3 hours, I should have upchucked into the sea. Then, I would have been able to better enjoy the morning.
Rolling at anchor
Rolling at anchor, especially when breeze and current cause the boat to set at an angle to the rode, seem to affect the admiral the quickest. Just this Saturday, when my daughter and I were swimming at anchor, my better half started to feel queasy within a few minutes. As soon as we got under way again, she was fine. I am lucky and don't get green gills too often on a small boat, and food seems to help if I recognize the early warnings. Ginger is great for settling the stomach.
Rolling at anchor, especially when breeze and current cause the boat to set at an angle to the rode, seem to affect the admiral the quickest. Just this Saturday, when my daughter and I were swimming at anchor, my better half started to feel queasy within a few minutes. As soon as we got under way again, she was fine. I am lucky and don't get green gills too often on a small boat, and food seems to help if I recognize the early warnings. Ginger is great for settling the stomach.
Strange!
It's the strangest thing - but I've only been seasick once - during a race when we were fighting through 6-foot seas getting to the mark.The upwind leg was particularly brutal - and the downwind leg wasn't much better! I was always the kid with the queasy stomach. I used to get car-sick all the time and could never ride the roller-coasters and other "exciting" rides at the amusement parks. But I've never had a problem on STARGAZER! I think part of the reason is that I'm on the boat a lot - and I've gotten acclimated to the motion. Bill on STARGAZER
It's the strangest thing - but I've only been seasick once - during a race when we were fighting through 6-foot seas getting to the mark.The upwind leg was particularly brutal - and the downwind leg wasn't much better! I was always the kid with the queasy stomach. I used to get car-sick all the time and could never ride the roller-coasters and other "exciting" rides at the amusement parks. But I've never had a problem on STARGAZER! I think part of the reason is that I'm on the boat a lot - and I've gotten acclimated to the motion. Bill on STARGAZER
Wrist bands
I have never had the problem but the wife and kids do get sick occasionaly. We use the wrist bands and they seem to work about half the time. Getting up on deck or standing in the conpainionway and looking at the horizon has always helped. That is probably why I don't get sick as I am always "checking for traffic" in the Bay. It pays to be the navigator once and a while.
I have never had the problem but the wife and kids do get sick occasionaly. We use the wrist bands and they seem to work about half the time. Getting up on deck or standing in the conpainionway and looking at the horizon has always helped. That is probably why I don't get sick as I am always "checking for traffic" in the Bay. It pays to be the navigator once and a while.
The worst
I have found that Bonine or Dramamine II work almost all the time for me. I try to take a pill most of the time before I go out, and I can only remember one time where I got queasy. However, I have either forgotten or just passed numerous times and been fine too during some pretty rough conditions. There seems to be no one condition that I know will bring on seasickness for me. The worst case of seasickness I ever had was on the Catalina Island ferry. I took dramamine ("original recipe") about 20 minutes before we left, and I was doing the technicolor yawn within 10 minutes of hitting the 6 foot seas. They say there are two stages of seasickness: stage one is you are afraid you are going to die, and stage two is that you are afraid you won't. I hit stage two pretty fast. To be fair, I had plenty of company that day, but it was still an awful experience. When we hit the dock at Catalina, we walked right over to the helicopter office and booked a ride back. When we went to board the copter a few hours later, we noticed a long line of people trying to buy tickets, many of whom I recognized as fellow barfers.
I have found that Bonine or Dramamine II work almost all the time for me. I try to take a pill most of the time before I go out, and I can only remember one time where I got queasy. However, I have either forgotten or just passed numerous times and been fine too during some pretty rough conditions. There seems to be no one condition that I know will bring on seasickness for me. The worst case of seasickness I ever had was on the Catalina Island ferry. I took dramamine ("original recipe") about 20 minutes before we left, and I was doing the technicolor yawn within 10 minutes of hitting the 6 foot seas. They say there are two stages of seasickness: stage one is you are afraid you are going to die, and stage two is that you are afraid you won't. I hit stage two pretty fast. To be fair, I had plenty of company that day, but it was still an awful experience. When we hit the dock at Catalina, we walked right over to the helicopter office and booked a ride back. When we went to board the copter a few hours later, we noticed a long line of people trying to buy tickets, many of whom I recognized as fellow barfers.
In the genes....
A few years ago, I was part of a crew on a beautiful 42-ft Oyster that was making a blue water cruise. The other crew members were all part of the family of the owners. We sailed from Annapolis south to the mouth of the Chesapeake in good weather and with no incidents. But once we cleared the Bay and began our ocean leg things changed rapidly. While the weather was good, we have light winds and very long ocean swells. The boat moved easily as we rode up one swell and then down its back. I think that within two hours of getting into the ocean, all of the members of the crew -- all of the same family -- including the owner/captain, were puking. They all stayed nauseous for about the next 6 hrs then recovered and never got sick again.... My conclusion is that the reason for sea sickness may be found in your wiring diagram.
A few years ago, I was part of a crew on a beautiful 42-ft Oyster that was making a blue water cruise. The other crew members were all part of the family of the owners. We sailed from Annapolis south to the mouth of the Chesapeake in good weather and with no incidents. But once we cleared the Bay and began our ocean leg things changed rapidly. While the weather was good, we have light winds and very long ocean swells. The boat moved easily as we rode up one swell and then down its back. I think that within two hours of getting into the ocean, all of the members of the crew -- all of the same family -- including the owner/captain, were puking. They all stayed nauseous for about the next 6 hrs then recovered and never got sick again.... My conclusion is that the reason for sea sickness may be found in your wiring diagram.
On our way to the staging area....
...for a 200 mile race with 30 kts wind and 10ft seas, one of our 8 crew got the beginnings of the affliction. As the day wore on, he got worse to the point where he couldn't even keep a mouthful of water down. We kept him on deck but removed him from the crew rotation. One of the guys on-board was an EMT and kept checking him for dehydration , which was a serious concern. A day and a half later, the seas calmed down and he started to get his sea legs. Now able to take some water and spurred on with the thoughts that the finish line was now less than 100 miles away, his mental attitude started improving. After the race was over(we won), and the celebration party started he decided that he was not going to sign on to the Bermuda Race that was being planned. A wise choice!
...for a 200 mile race with 30 kts wind and 10ft seas, one of our 8 crew got the beginnings of the affliction. As the day wore on, he got worse to the point where he couldn't even keep a mouthful of water down. We kept him on deck but removed him from the crew rotation. One of the guys on-board was an EMT and kept checking him for dehydration , which was a serious concern. A day and a half later, the seas calmed down and he started to get his sea legs. Now able to take some water and spurred on with the thoughts that the finish line was now less than 100 miles away, his mental attitude started improving. After the race was over(we won), and the celebration party started he decided that he was not going to sign on to the Bermuda Race that was being planned. A wise choice!
North Atlantic in winter
The only time I came close was on a sub patrol in the North Atlantic in winter, we had to be near the surface (300ft)and were rocking and rolling. 25-30 deg port to stbd roll and the 30-35 deg pitch got me to the closest I've come to sea sickness. I eat some crackers and then was ok. Since than never had a problem. Spent about 6.5 years under the water during my 23 years in the Navy, I've been lucky (LKY). I was a Chief of the Watch and tried to keep the boat at desired depth, 300ft down than a second later be on the surface, what a roller coaster. Yeee haw. John USNret
The only time I came close was on a sub patrol in the North Atlantic in winter, we had to be near the surface (300ft)and were rocking and rolling. 25-30 deg port to stbd roll and the 30-35 deg pitch got me to the closest I've come to sea sickness. I eat some crackers and then was ok. Since than never had a problem. Spent about 6.5 years under the water during my 23 years in the Navy, I've been lucky (LKY). I was a Chief of the Watch and tried to keep the boat at desired depth, 300ft down than a second later be on the surface, what a roller coaster. Yeee haw. John USNret
Never got sick,but....
I'm told it is not "IF", but "WHEN". I've also heard from my sickly seamates that when seasick, you are first afraid that you are going to die, and then you fear that you may not.....
I'm told it is not "IF", but "WHEN". I've also heard from my sickly seamates that when seasick, you are first afraid that you are going to die, and then you fear that you may not.....
Rolling seas get me the most ...
Having learned by doing dictates that I am sensitive to rolling motion. Up and down motion (pitch) is okay. Whenever a storm approaches, I immediately toss out the anchor hardware or sea anchor whichever depth dictates before battening down the hatches. While inside the cabin, I occupy my mind playing solitaire or working out puzzles while the storm passes thru. Anchoring usually insures the boat will head up into the swells and not allow too much rolling. The same applies to working aboard ship. I was testing air-box pressure on a pair of 353 Detroit diesel engines (commercial shrimping boat). Seas were moderate with soft and evenly predictable intervals of roll. I was below, nearly standing on my head, setting up test fixture plates to the engine air box covers when it hit me! Like Mike from Branford states there are 2 stages of sea-sickness ... thereupon I will agree. I skipped stage 1 and went to stage 2. Whew ... never forgot that one! Tom
Having learned by doing dictates that I am sensitive to rolling motion. Up and down motion (pitch) is okay. Whenever a storm approaches, I immediately toss out the anchor hardware or sea anchor whichever depth dictates before battening down the hatches. While inside the cabin, I occupy my mind playing solitaire or working out puzzles while the storm passes thru. Anchoring usually insures the boat will head up into the swells and not allow too much rolling. The same applies to working aboard ship. I was testing air-box pressure on a pair of 353 Detroit diesel engines (commercial shrimping boat). Seas were moderate with soft and evenly predictable intervals of roll. I was below, nearly standing on my head, setting up test fixture plates to the engine air box covers when it hit me! Like Mike from Branford states there are 2 stages of sea-sickness ... thereupon I will agree. I skipped stage 1 and went to stage 2. Whew ... never forgot that one! Tom
Been there and done it a lot
I spent 8 years dealing with seasickness on a boat. Captain Bligh thought it was all in my head. He was so right. It was in my balance in my ears to be exact. I sailed for 4 months to the Bahamas and spent a lovely winter in the sun and thought I would ge over it. I tried all the gimmicks, gadgets and pills, patches and buttons and diets. The one thing that really cured me was to get rid of the boat and the captain and I have not been seasick since.
I spent 8 years dealing with seasickness on a boat. Captain Bligh thought it was all in my head. He was so right. It was in my balance in my ears to be exact. I sailed for 4 months to the Bahamas and spent a lovely winter in the sun and thought I would ge over it. I tried all the gimmicks, gadgets and pills, patches and buttons and diets. The one thing that really cured me was to get rid of the boat and the captain and I have not been seasick since.
Never got sick, knock on wood
I tend to agree that it has something to do with your internal wiring. No one in my immediate family (3 generations) has ever been afflicted with mal-de-mer. Other passengers and crew have, at times, relied on Dramamine and Scopolamine (sp?), which has worked OK, but made them sleepy. We have only had one guest on DreamBoat lose her lunch, but she had been drinking, and the bay was very rough. I had to remind her to move to the leeward rail.
I tend to agree that it has something to do with your internal wiring. No one in my immediate family (3 generations) has ever been afflicted with mal-de-mer. Other passengers and crew have, at times, relied on Dramamine and Scopolamine (sp?), which has worked OK, but made them sleepy. We have only had one guest on DreamBoat lose her lunch, but she had been drinking, and the bay was very rough. I had to remind her to move to the leeward rail.
Once, running downwind...
with slow rolling waves. That seems to get most people on my boat. So I avoid going downwind in slow rolling seas. Recently we have been taking ginger pills. It seems to work. Can't remember where we heard/read about ginger. Other than that, we don't use any commercial products for seasickness.
with slow rolling waves. That seems to get most people on my boat. So I avoid going downwind in slow rolling seas. Recently we have been taking ginger pills. It seems to work. Can't remember where we heard/read about ginger. Other than that, we don't use any commercial products for seasickness.
Poetic Justice....?
A few years ago, a friend of my wife kept bugging me to take her sailing. For a variety of reasons, I always found some excuse not to take this very gabby/gossipy person out on the boat. But one day she sort of backed us in a corner and we agree to take her. When we got to the boat, the weather was hot and almost windless. Out we went. The bay had long rollers that day and we bobbed about this way and that. I noticed my wife's friend getting glassy eyed and green. And then it got worse. We aimed her mouth overboard when the eruption hit. Funny thing is that she has never again asked us to take her sailing....
A few years ago, a friend of my wife kept bugging me to take her sailing. For a variety of reasons, I always found some excuse not to take this very gabby/gossipy person out on the boat. But one day she sort of backed us in a corner and we agree to take her. When we got to the boat, the weather was hot and almost windless. Out we went. The bay had long rollers that day and we bobbed about this way and that. I noticed my wife's friend getting glassy eyed and green. And then it got worse. We aimed her mouth overboard when the eruption hit. Funny thing is that she has never again asked us to take her sailing....
Size doen't seem to matter
I was on an Air Craft Carrier inmy Navy days and I recall guy's getting sick on that big thing. Time is really what cures the sickness, felt bad for some of those folks, some not right for days! Dana H-31
I was on an Air Craft Carrier inmy Navy days and I recall guy's getting sick on that big thing. Time is really what cures the sickness, felt bad for some of those folks, some not right for days! Dana H-31
Seasickness
I the Bahamas a few years ago and found out about a prescription drug named Steugeron that stops it cold in about ten minutes. You can not get in the US, but can in Mexico, England etc, I suppose this drug would wipe out all the ones on the market here or they have a deal with the FDA !! Sixty pills were about $30.00. The pharmacist sold them to me without a prescription.
I the Bahamas a few years ago and found out about a prescription drug named Steugeron that stops it cold in about ten minutes. You can not get in the US, but can in Mexico, England etc, I suppose this drug would wipe out all the ones on the market here or they have a deal with the FDA !! Sixty pills were about $30.00. The pharmacist sold them to me without a prescription.
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