Rocking on land?

[Kim]

Hi! We're new to boat-ownership and we've recently acquired a used Catalina 22 that we're in LOVE with. Here's the question: after a day out on the water, I have "sea legs" when I'm on land. I feel the "rocking" sensation when I'm back at home!!! I've spoken to others about this and they experience it too.... Is there a name for this? Thanks!

 

[tomD]

it's common

We call it "landsickness". The longer the passage and the more motion in the ocean, the longer it stays with you. The cure for landsickness is to get back on a boat and stay there.

 

[Bob Seiden]

"Rocking" on land after sailing

When I first started sailing the feeling of "rocking" after getting off the boat used to be quite strong. It was more pronounced in an enclosed space like the marina shower or toilet.After eight years of Chesapeake Bay sailing the feeling seems to have gone away. We sailed two days on May 12-13 in 25-35 knot winds covering 30+ miles per day. When I left the boat I was surprised by the lack of that rocking sensation.

 

[Kim]

I LOVE your "cure"

"Get back on a boat and stay there." Classic response! And yes, it's absolutely more pronounced in small places. I mentioned it to my 9 year old as we were in separate stalls in the ladies room and she said she had it too! Then I spoke to a friend over the weekend who'd slept on her boat, and she was "lying down to stop the rocking." I was floored -- it wasn't just US!

 

[Ben]

I don't notice it. . .

until I lay down in bed to go to sleep. Likewise, after a day at the beach in the waves, I can still feel the motion when I lay down. I've never noticed it at any other time.And yes, the "cure" previously mentioned is the best idea!

 

[Jeff Barger]

I once spent 30+ days

I once spent 30+ days in the North Pacific on a small long-liner. We would routinely experience seas 15 ft+ and occasionally upwards to 25-30 ft. During my first shower on land (and the first on in about 27 days, another story) I closed my eyes to rinse my hair and fell completely onto the floor due to my "landsickness." It was an interesting experience and I am still get it after only a short time on the water.

 

[tomD]

similar experience, different seas

I spent November '78, the month before Ocean Ranger turtled, in the North Atlantic on a drilling ship and crewboats in 32 ft seas, hove-to 15 of the 28 days due to weather. Alot of the boys got a second and third look at their suppers. When we got to St.John's NFLD via crewboat, a real rodeo ride, We couldn't walk the dock without holding the handrail, and were bumping into each other. Severe! So the next time in port, when you see sailors tottering down the sidewalk, maybe it isn't the rum, it's landsickness!!