odd sensation after trip in the dark

[Polwart]

This week Mrs P and myself were out in the boat after it got dark. The water was fairly flat (our wake was bigger than any waves). We were only out for about 1/2 an hour - this was out first trip out in darkness, so a bit of an experiment. After we returned to shore she complained of feeling "wobbly".

I think she was experiencing the same rocking sensation that I have had after being on a sailing boat for a few days (I'm not sure exactly what causes it - but I thought it was your brain/middle ear got so used to dealing with the rocking boat that it was still compensating when you got on dry land). Has anyone else experienced this after being out at night? i.e. does the darkness (difficulty in percieving waves/horizon) amplify the effect?

Before anyone asks - no alcohol had been consumed.

[PeterM]

I get this all the time after a day on the boat ( dark or not ) - I think it is due to the brain 'expecting' to still feel the motion - so even though your ears & eyes are saying one thing your bran ignores them for a while until it actually realises it/ you are not moving.

I often get in , shower & then 'sway' infront of the mirror without realising ! ( ok ready for any joke......)

Possibly worse after dark as your eyes aren't seeing a horizon to allow your brain to understand whats going on.

Its like flying a plane with no horizon - you will feel as if you are turning/ banking etc - but in reality you have way of telling as you rely so heavily on your eyes to give you the info- without a referance they are effectivly just trying to confuse you.

[JSP]

I get the same if I'm below deck for some time. I think it's when you can't get a bearing of where you are such as in the dark or inside a boat. I always know to keep looking out of a window if I can to see the horizon or I know I'm gonna be ill.

Editidn't read blackroady's post first....So same as the above.

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by JSP

I get the same if I'm below deck for some time.

Jeez You've got a below deck and windows in your SR?

How many berths?

[JSP]

V birth, starboard double berth with heads, galley with heads, saloon and flybridge.... Trouble is it's my dads. My SR has birth's...or it will have as I've told the wife the next baby has to be born on deck

[chewy]

I used to get it when I first started messing about on boats but don't "suffer" from it now. I know my Dad does when we take his boat out.
Wouldn't worry about it to be honest.

[PeterM]

I think some people are affected & others aren't - Its not like sea-sickness - just a feeling of still moving around.

I get very sea-sick on bigger boats & anything going slowly - ie yachts under motor. Sailing I'm fine.

Even get sea-sick on RIBS at trolling speed in bad weather !

[jyasaki]

Sea legs.

I get it almost every time after being on 3-day liveaboard dive trips; occasionally after day trips on my boat in rolling seas (not so much in what you'd call rough weather, as far as I can tell.)

After the dive trips, it may take a week or so to fully recover, with bouts lasting several seconds hitting at odd times, like in the shower.

jky

[Cypman]

I put it down to my visiting the pub!!!

[codprawn]

Never been sea sick in my life but I have come pretty close on dry land when I lie down in bed.

Get the same feeling when I have been travelling in lifts all day in tall buildings.