TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Motion Sickness - 62' Lagoon Catamaran

Hello,

I had a question for a friend.

Next week we will be sailing for 3-days and 3-nights thru the British Virgin Islands on a 62' Lagoon Catamaran.

She is prone to motion sickness, and although I know catamarans of this size are VERY steady, she wants to make sure she chooses the cabin that will be the most stable.

We will be anchored every evening in a cove, so I know it will be relatively calm at that time, but during the day we will be cruising with the engine running and most likely will encounter some movement.

Here is a link to the catamaran layout and the cabin options. Obviously, the front two cabins are out as they may see the most "movement" during our cruising times.

Which of the remaining two would be the most stable where the least amount of motion would be felt? The back cabin or the middle cabin?

Also I know the engine underneath the boat often causes a rumbling that can be a bit nauseous, so which cabin would feel that the most?

And just in case she wishes to take a power nap during the day while the boat is motoring to another location, which of the two cabins (back or middle) would have the least amount of motion during these times?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Here is a link to the cabin layout:
http://www.centralyachtagent.com/yachtadmin/websites/4160brochure88.jpg

P.S. And yes, I have been on a catamaran before and am also prone to motion sickness.....I know a lot of people say "Oh a catamaran is steady", but the last time I was on one I indeed felt some motion while in my cabin. Since I fully understand her "anxiety" of choosing the most stable cabin, I just wanted to reach out to get some opinions of others who are super-prone to motion sickness even when on a "steady" catamaran. Thanks again!

http://www.sea-band.com

this product works well for a lot of people. No drugs or side effects.

Our last trip on a 44' cat one of the ladies in our group really struggled the first couple of days till she figured out the medication she needed. This was mostly underway and at night sleeping she really didn't have any issue with it. Honestly, sea-sickness affects different people in different ways. She was in the aft cabin at night.

We have traveled on a Catamaran a few times with people prone to motion sickness. I suggest two things --- one pack Dramamine. It's best to take it when you are anticipating the motion sickness. The second thing is as soon as the boat starts moving come upstairs and do not stay in the cabin. The great thing about catamarans is they are more balanced than a monohull so that makes a big difference. Being in the open air can sometimes be the best medicine!

At night, your best bet is a well-protected anchorage. The middle cabin should move the least. No power naps in a cabin while underway without a bucket. Best bet underway is to stay in a spot on the tramp or flybridge where you can view the horizon. If motion sickness is still a big concern, get a room at Saba Rock. This is a bad match.

prevention is the best cure!
take Dramamine every morning and every evening before bed. (no more than 4oomg per day)

Thanks everyone for all the tips on the medications that may help.

But I also need advice on which cabin location to choose that will have the least amount of movement!

One person suggested the middle cabin. Anyone else have an opinion on that?

Thanks again!!!

it really doesn't matter much which cabin, as cabins are for sleeping.As Del says staying in the cabin while underway is a bad idea. Don't be lulled into thinking every anchorage will be still as well. If you are not thoroughly knowledgeable on winds, sea state, and north swells, nights can be somewhat uncomfortable.

Yeah, don't take the chance - get the scolpamine patch (or whatever it is called). With that, the cabin likely won't matter. We've had friends with us that look at a boat and get sick and we're completely fine the whole trip with the patch.

I haven't really found a big difference between the cabins as far as movement is concerned.

Great - 7 responses in the thread and not a single person has addressed the original question!

The best cabin will be the one closest to the centre of gravity of the catamaran. That CG will be pretty close to where the mast meets the cabin sole in the main cabin; but there's no cabin there. So the least motion will be in the starboard center cabin.
Note that on a catamaran the differences between the cabins are going to be negligible and most likely not even noticeable, so the best choice of cabin will be the one with the best (most) ventilation and that might be a forward one; again on the starboard side in order to be away from the crew cabin - those guys have to be up and about at all hours when on charter.

Agree with all the above. Ask her to take the center cabin because of less motion and noise, might psychologically take the edge off. My wife gets motion sickness sometimes (planes/trains/automobiles and yes boats), but with the patch and/or Bonine she has always felt fine on a cat. Have her ask the doc for advice/prescription and start it a day or two early. To repeat, going below when youre not feeling well will not help in most cases.

One of the biggest culprits of motion sickness is dehydration. Water, water & more water. Happens to the best of us.

I get motion sickness & def never ever go underneath...I have gotten soaked from rain & waves outside & was ok, the minute you step in or go under it is over...to tell you the truth I would not even try it...but looking at horizon really does help & stay more towards frontend...good luck

The answer to the question is.....It all depends on the state of the sea at the time. There is not going to be any one cabin or spot on the boat that is comfortable if the seas are high. On the other hand, if it is flat, every cabin will be fine. The difference between cabin locations when it comes to movement night be less than 10%? You did mention however you were on a 62' cat, which I assumed to be a sailing vessel. Then you stated you would be motoring from spot to spot? If it is indeed a sailing vessel, it has been our experience that most sailing craft, mono or cat, are more stable when sailing than when motoring, giving more comfort to those who are prone to motion sickness.

the OP also says they will be anchoring in coves, not exactly sure where he means

Thanks everyone.....I passed along the info and she is taking the middle cabin. Appreciate all the help!