sleeping on the move - any tips?

[rogerroger]

I'm sailing to Fasnet & back next week on one of the BT Challenge boats. Obviously very exctied about it and can't wait.

However, when I crewed across the Atlantic a few years ago I did not sleep a wink for 3 days (no exaggeration). I was totally relaxed, the skipper was hugely experienced and the weather was calm but I just couldn't nod off.

For this trip I'm going to take ear plugs, an eye mask and am thinking about maybe half a Nytol tablet when trying to kip.

Any other suggestions ? (please, no "hot milk" I'm only 32 !)



Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[steve_cronin]

I find that insomnia is one of the easiest conditions to contract!

However when trying to sleep on passage I find that I succumb to above condition unless I'm well wedged in. If it is possible to rock on the settee surface I cannot get off at all. See if wedging in helps you.

Steve Cronin

 

[jonic]

I normally wait until I'm so ill with seasickness, sunstroke or hang-over. (I did have all three at the same time once) then I pass out.

Sorry Rog .....this is no help at all is it?

Today is my last day at work!!!!!

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/yacht/serafina/

 

[tcm]

the wedging in is good.

face down, and breathe a little faster than u wd expect to breath when asleep. There's loads of tension, so u shd go thru each set of muscles and clench each one, (upper leg, lower leg, then other leg, not torso, each arm, then face, holding for ten seconds and release). I never get further than legs.

 

[rogerroger]

sea sick, hung over and sunburnt at the same time ? urgh, I'd be praying for a quick death!

Yup - your post up to the usual standard mate, sod all use but entertaining!

Last day at work and you're sober enough to type by lunchtime ? definitely a sign you've been there too long pal !

You sold the 311 yet ?



Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[rogerroger]

Sounds good. It should be quite easy as I think the berths are quite narrow with lee cloths - I'll pack myself in with fleeces - or maybe I should buy some bubble wrap !



Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[jeanette]

If I remember correctly, the bunks are like cradles with lee cloths and some useful straps for holding you down when the boats fall off the waves. Also, the cabins (the mid-ship cabins) are lightless, so you won't need to cover your eyes.

I didn't sleep a wink. The boat was moving so fast through the water it sounded like an express train, right next to my ear.

I recommend ear plugs.


Jeanette

 

[rogerroger]

Oh good, a week without sleep.

Did you do the race or one of the other trips?

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[david_e]

Sex, apparently, Roger is good for getting to sleep. With the male of the species a chemical is released into the body following the ****** which induces sleep, and whilst I suspect that it was not intended this way, also annoys the female of the species)

 

[jeanette]

I was on board for a week-end delivery - Plymouth to St Katherine's last year.

I will confess that the lack of sleep was not entirely due to the noise. We nearly ran down a 40ft yacht in thick fog cos' it didn't show up on the radar, just as my head touched the rolled up fleece I use as a pillow - there was too much adrenaline in the blood to let me sleep. Maybe it was the adrenaline that focused by mind on the noise of the water rushing by ...

I hope you sleep well.

J

Jeanette

 

[rogerroger]

the lads going with me might think I'm taking the "sailor" thing a bit too far...

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[rogerroger]

well my plan was to down a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon after watch - but it's a dry boat...



Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[jeanette]

Take a flask and pretend that it's coffee..

Jeanette

 

[rogerroger]

we want to try and smuggle a spinnaker on board as well - but I'm sure they'll notice when it goes up...

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[jeanette]

It must be Friday - I'm waiting for the flag to go up, then I make a bolt for the door and out to the train. From the train to the ferry, from the ferry to the boat - then out into the Sunny Solent (ha, ha, ha). What a dull forecast for this week-end. Just enough wind (maybe) and rain.

So what's your training plan for the Fastnet trip?

Jeanette

 

[rogerroger]

Our training for the Fastnet trip has been long and intense. Meeting in the pub religiously every Thursday, doing the quiz, drinking beer and generally talking b*ll*x.

You boat must on Gosport then ?





Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[jeanette]

Yarmouth actually.

It's back to Poole this week-end when I've sorted out the engine problem. Unfortunately, I am more likely to be drifting back to Poole than sailing, but it will at least prove (or not) whether the fix has worked before I reach the chain ferry. Whoopeedoo!


Jeanette

 

[rogerroger]

I belted down from London to Chichester yesterday evening to sort my engine out.

what's up with yours?

Didn't realise there were permanent moorings at Yarmouth ...

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[jeanette]

I don't think there are any permanent moorings in the main harbour, perhaps behind the bridge.

I have a mooring in Poole. The engine gave me a scare last week, just as the wind died and we were approaching the chain ferry.

I am not sure what the problem is exactly, whenever I get an engineer to look at it (twice in the last 2 weeks, it behaves perfectly. Symptoms are squealing noise from drive shaft/prop and prop slows or stops, sometimes both.

Tonight/tomorrow's job is to tackle the stern gland & ( test it on the pontoon (if there's a space) or leg it out of Yarmouth tomorrow ) & test it en route.

I don't want to practice anchoring under sail, but that will be the fall back option if I can't sort it out.

SeaStart will help me if I can get the b*****r to demonstrate some symptoms when its being watched.

I have bought a bottle of wine in anticipation of both success or failure - it will be appropriate for any outcome.


Jeanette

 

[peterk]

hi roger,
if you haven't read it yet:
Bring a copy of 'Magic Mountain' by Thomas Mann
and perhaps your own flashlight(torch in Britain???)

...peter www.juprowa.com/kittel