We asked sailors to send us their on-the-water "relationship" questions for our new online column, and the questions started rolling in. Here's the first installment:
Dear Stefina:
My new boyfriend is a big sailor, but I get very sea sick. What should I do? I want to try new things, but I am afraid I'll get sick and ruin our time on the boat. ~Green at Sea
Dear Greenie:
Well, first of all your new boyfriend is a lucky guy… not only are you looking for cures for seasickness, but you are also reading SpinSheet, which tells me you really want to learn about sailing. He must be really special or else he has a really nice boat!
The most important thing to remember is never “toss your cookies” into the wind. Use your imagination, and you will realize why this is important. That said, brush up on what “into the wind” means on a sailboat. For sure, this will be valuable information when he raises the mainsail and keeps telling you to keep the boat “into the wind.”
Back to your question, there a lots of ways to treat seasickness: wrist bands, ginger, over the counter medication, scopolamine patches (which by the way can be discreetly worn places other than behind the ear). I would refer you to this website which includes a list of 50 remedies for seasickness.
All mariners get seasick at some point in time, and it is nothing to feel embarrassed about. Fixate on a point in the horizon, stay on deck rather than below (inside the cabin), avoid alcoholic beverages, and if he allows you to steer, take him up on it. Many people outgrow seasickness with experience, and sailors are definitely less prone to it than powerboaters. With your positive attitude, armed with a few tried and true remedies, you and your new BF will be sailing into the sunset in no time.
~Stefina
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We know how romantic relationships–and even friendships–can get a little weird on the water...
Stefina is a licensed social worker who would like to answer your questions, in the same style as a sort of Sailing Dear Abby or in the same vein as the New York Times Social Q’s.
Send us a few onboard challenges you are facing with your first mate (or bestie), and we’ll let our columnist dish out some advice… Send questions to [email protected]
