The worst sea sickness I ever experienced was twenty years ago during a
sail from SF Bay to Drakes Bay as part of coastal navigation class.
Foolishly, I had done pretty much everything one shouldn't do: I'd been
out drinking the night before, ate a greasy meal, didn't get enough
sleep and didn't bring warm clothes.

We had long Alaskan swells off the starboard bow on the way up. I
realized I was starting to not feel well but needed to use the head. I
went below and by the time I finished I was green. I began throwing up
everything I'd ever eaten in my life. When there was nothing left in my
stomach I then alternated between dry retching and vomiting bile.

Now at that time I did not know that bile was supposed to be bright
green, like antifreeze. Seeing that made me worry I was going to die,
because obviously nothing that color should come out of a person.

After an hour of this I greatly feared I was going to die. After the
second hour I greatly feared I wasn't going to die. In fact, I would
have welcomed it. The minute we arrived at Drakes Bay and anchored in
calm water I was fine.

I've cruised a lot since then, and find that without the aid of sea
sickness drugs I'm usually unhappy for the first day or two, sometimes
I'll get sick, feel "not great" for the next two days after that, and
then am fine for the rest of the cruise.

I have tried "Sturgeron Retard" (that's the name on the box) that I
bought in Mexico and found it useful for keeping me from getting sick
for the first few days. It did make me drowsy and cause dry mouth, but
nothing too serious.

Other than that I found just about all of the home remedies useless
except for the obvious: plenty of rest, warm clothes, light foods, no
recreational drugs or alcohol, and a good frame of mind.

Cheers,

Robb




Leanne wrote:
"Donal" wrote in message
...

I'll add my opinion to all the rest.

Seasickness is 50% physical and 50% in the mind. It is triggered by
confusion between the signals from the eyes and ears(balance).


The times I have been seasick, it was when I didn't get enough rest before
getting underway. The previous day were spent running hither and yon for the
last minute provisioning, rechecking the boat, and of course the bon voyage
party. I know this varies from the original post about the cruise ship, but
getting a lot of rest and a good night's sleep before going aboard will help
as they will be well rested. I had a friend who would leave the dock and go
to first anchorage close by, out of sight of the marina, drop the hook and
go to bed. He would get up at first light and then start his voyage.

Leanne
s/v Fundy