How to convince Crew they won't be Sea Sick - again

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

So, myself and OH are struggling to find another couple to Charter with this year.

My BestMan (ironic title to be pointed out when I show him later ) and I went a couple of years ago and he is firmly in the 'Yes' camp to going, and he knows his missus will love the actual holiday, the surroundings, eating, drinking, craic and alike if we were to return to the Gocek / Marmaris / Datca parts of Turkey.

Two hurdles (only one you lot can help with) has the fear of Sea-Sickness scuppering the whole idea.

His OH has gotten sea-sick many times before on Day trips abroad on the likes of Gulets, and Tripper boats. Ferries even.

Now I am of a positive mind (stubborn) that it can be overcome - either through drugs, wrist bands, positive mental attitude, keeping busy on board etc.

Looking at chartering an AWB of about 45ft so not exactly bobbing about in a bath tub, and in the benign waters of Gocek Bay to start with.

What would you do, how would you convince that the Sea Sickness will not ruin her holiday ?

Help me go sailing in the sun please.......

 

[Touchwood]

Have to be honest here, if I were you I wouldn't try.

In common with most, if not all, sports, pastimes or leisure activities, sailing has its drawbacks. Anything from mild discomfort to pain and suffering is experienced alongside the undoubted pleasures. The real question is whether the benefits outweight the drawbacks, and that can only be an individual choice. For most of us on here it's clear; it sounds as though for your friend's OH it's less so, and I think you would need to be a brave man to persuade her otherwise. She may well enjoy all of the peripheral pleasures of such a holiday, "the surroundings, eating, drinking, craic and alike" as you put it, but if for her the sailing element is a miserable nightmare it will make it so for you all.

Sorry to be so negative - what do I know anyway?

 

[fireball]

Perhaps organise a good weekend in the UK first?
Somewhere close by - that you can ditch if the forecast looks iffy.

Both SWMBO and I get seasick - I'm not sure it's totally a state of mind - but the mind does help overcome the downside - to the extent that I don't worry when I'm sick - just make sure I've got water on deck...

Anyway - if you can organise a nice weekend and promise to limit sailing to when the wind is ok then you may be in with a chance - Oh - I'd cut down the planned trips to a couple of hours a day if poss too ...
The motion on ferries and tour boats is totally different to a yacht - she might even enjoy it!

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

That's more like it


And the trial run is actually what we (me and the mate) are planing - possibly even Windermere.

If sick there - we are truly Tom Ducked !

No sure fire remedies / cures / prevention aids out there Forumites can report back on ?

 

[EdWingfield]

What works with some folk is to get below and lie horizontal asap. Some others need to remain on deck and keep viewing the horizon.

Sadly, these folk are unsuitable crew as they will divert the attention of the skipper from his/her duties- especially when conditions get lively, and when the skipper should be attentive to other more important matters.

Don't go there!

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Charter a smaller boat just for two, or find another couple to go with. If you want company do a flotilla.

 

[fireball]

Sadly, these folk are unsuitable crew as they will divert the attention of the skipper from his/her duties- especially when conditions get lively, and when the skipper should be attentive to other more important matters.

That is somewhat unfair - you're suggesting I'm an unsuitable crew because I get seasick? How did I manage 18 hours as skipper whilst being sick then? That included my fair stint helming and navigating ... !
I've been invited on long trips by a skipper who knows I'm seasick too ... so I can't be that bad!

Anyway - Some can't cope with being sick - that is a different kettle of fish ... but only the individual will know if they can live with being sick or not.

Don't go there!

Somewhat limiting I think.

Anyway - back to the OP - both SWMBO and I have spent holidays on flotilla boats in the med - various wind conditions from 0 to an 8 ... we weren't sick at all - didn't even think about it...
As for remedies - stugeron - never been sick having taken that - but it does make you sleepy - so I don't take it if I'm skipper.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Put 'Scopoderm' into the search...

this is one post I've made on the subject when someone thought they'd have to sell their boat due to seasickness............. from http://www.ybw.com/forums/search.php?searchid=4085931

"I could see my sailing being very restricted because my wife suffered greatly from seasickness. If I were you, I would try to solve the seasickness thoroughly first.

I've commented on this before so apologies to some if they find this a repeat.
My wife discussed the problem with her doctor after trying every possible remedy we could think of.

The doctor prescribed Scopoderm. It is attached in the form of a patch behind the ear. It has totally transformed my wifes time afloat. She has started planning out a U.K./Eire trip and now looks forward to sailing rather than trying to find a good reason to decline.
Scopoderm is not a cure for all but for some it can be a complete solution with minor side effects. My wife does seem to suffer a dry mouth but she told me this last weekend that to sip more water or juice regularly had solved that.

One thing seasickness can do is to induce depression quite quickly, 'full blown' clinical depression in some who have been sick over a great number of days or weeks.
Make sure this has not happened to you and yours and that momentary depression is not the actual reason why the sailing is not enjoyable.

Go chat to your doctor, you could be making a big mistake."

 

[Angele]

Part of me is with Touchwood on this: if you and OH are keen, but the problem lies with your mate's OH, then you are risking your own holiday happiness by trying to drag along someone who is currently unwilling and may, if you do go, hate every moment of it. That won't be good for morale.

You and SWMBO could sail a boat by yourselves and, if you want company, join a flotilla.

However, to try and be helpful .....

Many of us get sea sick, but to varying degrees. The important thing is to know your crew's limits.

Is there a sea state when everyone is fine? If so, agree you will restrict yourselves to that (and therefore a few days will be spent going nowhere).

There are certain things best avoided when it is a bit rough. I minimise my time spent below when it is rolly but, on deck on a yacht I am fine in most conditions. That is certainly very different to being down below on a ferry.

What remedies have been tried before and, more importantly, which haven't? a good (non fatty) breakfast is a good start. Ginger products help - at the beginning of the season I make a batch of crystallised ginger and hand it round when I know the sea will be lively. Sea bands are, I think, more psychological than proven medically, but some swear by them. My SWMBO has a watch-like device that constantly gives electrical impulses to distract the mind from deciding you are poorly. That seems to do the trick for her. she has been known to be sea sick in a marina, but not any more.

Finally, you can/should resort to sea sickness tablets. Most make you feel dry and lethargic, but they can stop the real nausea from setting in.

My suggestion: try a weekend charter somewhere nearby first and see how that goes before committing to a week in the Med.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

So, myself and OH are struggling to find another couple to Charter with this year.

My BestMan (ironic title to be pointed out when I show him later ) and I went a couple of years ago and he is firmly in the 'Yes' camp to going, and he knows his missus will love the actual holiday, the surroundings, eating, drinking, craic and alike if we were to return to the Gocek / Marmaris / Datca parts of Turkey.

Two hurdles (only one you lot can help with) has the fear of Sea-Sickness scuppering the whole idea.

His OH has gotten sea-sick many times before on Day trips abroad on the likes of Gulets, and Tripper boats. Ferries even.

Now I am of a positive mind (stubborn) that it can be overcome - either through drugs, wrist bands, positive mental attitude, keeping busy on board etc.

Looking at chartering an AWB of about 45ft so not exactly bobbing about in a bath tub, and in the benign waters of Gocek Bay to start with.

What would you do, how would you convince that the Sea Sickness will not ruin her holiday ?

Help me go sailing in the sun please.......

I hate to say it, but it looks as if you are in danger of trying to pressure her into not being seasick. A surefire way to cause the very problem you wish to avoid.
You need to take the pressure off and that may mean getting her to accept the fact that she may sometimes get sick but that she can enjoy everything else.

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

Fireball, Scotty etc thank you.

Again, sometimes the severity of this Forum astounds me.

Let me rephrase the scenario 'a little' - and perhaps my use of the phrase "Crew" was wrong.

We are all looking for a Holiday - not sitting on the rail for the Fastnet !
We get on just great and it would be a load of fun. "The Sick One" also wants to go and is just worried she may fall ill and the results there of.

The 'Sailing' aspect is not the problem and heavens forbid the use of a Bowthruster (other threads cover this) just my OH and I only going does make docking, stern-to anchoring with a line a shore tricky.

So..... trying again, I am looking for those with advise or experiences I can hopefully pass to a 'Holiday-er' who is worried about getting sea sick on board for the 4-5 hours a day we would look to log.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

if she is sick for 4-5 hours a day she will go through hell and so will you that's the problem, plus the fact she becomes a liability.
Best to sort before you commit to a holiday.
From your initial posting of her being sick on gulets etc she obviously has a problem similar to my wifes.
'Scopoderm' and then try it on a day trip somewhere.

best of luck
S.

 

[fireball]

danger of trying to pressure her into not being seasick. A surefire way to cause the very problem you wish to avoid.
You need to take the pressure off and that may mean getting her to accept the fact that she may sometimes get sick but that she can enjoy everything else.

Yup - making seasickness an issue will cause problems - it does sound like the the OP and OH do take a pragmatic approach to it ... as long as the sufferer appreciates this and knows that if she is sick it will not spoil the others enjoyment of the holiday .... that's half the battle!

 

[nimbusgb]

Fly to Turkey.

Install 2 * SWMBO's in hotel / resort / spa.

Take Best Man / Mate and go sailing.

Sorted!

 

[fireball]

So..... trying again, I am looking for those with advise or experiences I can hopefully pass to a 'Holiday-er' who is worried about getting sea sick on board for the 4-5 hours a day we would look to log.

Yer ... I would look to cut those down when conditions aren't right! And if you do have to do a long passage and she's significantly sick - then give her a day off afterwards ...

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Yup - making seasickness an issue will cause problems - it does sound like the the OP and OH do take a pragmatic approach to it ... as long as the sufferer appreciates this and knows that if she is sick it will not spoil the others enjoyment of the holiday .... that's half the battle!

apologies but in my experience .... balderdash!

And if you had seen swmbo enjoying the winds and conditions of the last few weeks in a rolling, pitching F6-7 when she had the biggest smile on her face, then you would possibly agree.

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

Fly to Turkey.

Install 2 * SWMBO's in hotel / resort / spa.

Take Best Man / Mate and go sailing.

Sorted!

Now there is a Plan and a half !

But all thanks - the general view is / would be to only approach the correct conditions etc to make life easy, I was looking for the experiences you are all giving to preventative measures so thanks !


My OH tolerates my ambitions to go sailing each year (I am a horse widow the remaining 51 weeks a year!) and the four of us solves so much if we can keep the the 'Sea-Sicker' chipper !

 

[Champagne Murphy]

My own cure is to take an over the counter antacid every AM. Cheap (ranitidine/Zantac) and helps prevents that horrible sick feeling, also if I do lose my lunch its over and done with quickly (worst was sick all way from Cowes to Brighton, still at least I got back on the boat, the other bloke didn't!) The so called anti seasick drugs made my feel worse as well as drowsy.
Of course it doesn't stop the fear and the only way around that is to take trips on the boat pond a few times.
We all have friends who have married on the basis of seaworthyness but it sounds a bit late for that now!

 

[Csail]

Someone mentioned scopoderm, not much good, crew might not be sick but will be sleeping non stop, also read the warnings. Ginger should help or just normal tablets or even a few beers.Oh and food before sailing.

 

[fireball]

apologies but in my experience .... balderdash!

And if you had seen swmbo enjoying the winds and conditions of the last few weeks in a rolling, pitching F6-7 when she had the biggest smile on her face, then you would possibly agree.

Eh?
In my experience 'crews' who think they're not performing as expected keep apologising for their actions (or lack of) - this includes some who are seasick.
TBH - I'm not "worried" if they are seasick - as long as they are in minimal discomfort. Obviously I'd do my best to make conditions better for them - but it doesn't stop my enjoyment of the sail. Probably because I'm just thankful it wasn't me that time! I don't need them to be sorry for being unwell - it's not their fault - so they don't have to worry about my feelings - which is (imho) 1/2 the battle....