People occasionally ask, “Will I get seasick?” on a three-hour cruise along the York River. The answer is No, for several reasons.
1. We sail in a river, which almost never gets enough chop to make the boat pitch forward and backward. High seas with seven-foot waves (measured from top to bottom) are found 20 miles out in the Chesapeake Bay, and then only rarely.
2. High winds churn up the water, but trees on land tend to block that churn in a river. Northeast winds can be blowing 15 mph on one side of the Coleman Bridge and 10 mph on the other because of the tree line.
3. A mid-size sailboat will roll slightly from side to side when the boat tacks in another direction. But such rolling should not occur while routinely under sail in one direction.
4. Nor will the boat pitch up and down while in the river, unless there are extreme winds. Pitch is what tends to make people queasy, while a smooth run at a 10-15 degree lean becomes comfortable. Rookie sailors find themselves eager to get to 15 degrees after they’ve sailed for just an hour or so because they quickly realize it connotes speed.
5. Good rest the night before and limited alcohol content ensure safe passage. The typical person who gets seasick has a hangover.
6. Those who are apprehensive about getting seasick should take Dramamine the night before sailing. It works if you take it within an hour of departure, but it works better if it’s already in your system. We also have wristbands on board that work with acupuncture to minimize the queasy effect. They work magically.
With all of that said, you can still get seasick in a storm. Check out the video below and see if you could keep it down.
Take Vacations!
A clever poster encourages families to take vacations because “You can always make money; You can’t always make memories.” That includes sailing on vacation, which families find a unique and fun adventure. With all the lockdowns from Covid-19, the poster takes on new meaning as restrictions lift.
I enjoy shooting spontaneous photos of families on the sailboat as we cruise the York River, since parents and children are fascinated by the scenery, the boat and the experience in general. It’s a great bonding opportunity, and occasionally the team photo taken at the end of the cruise is chosen for the family Christmas card. Don’t forget to take your sunglasses off for the photo.
Let’s Ask, Will I Get Seasick?
Scroll down Rates and pick a day for a sailboat charter. Scroll down Reviews on Trip Advisor. Go back to the Home Page of Williamsburg Charter Sails.
will i get seasick will i get seasick
