What is the name of the feeling you get after you've been on a boat all day...?

Question

... and once you're back on solid ground it still feels like you're out on the water? I was on a boat for several hours the other day and once I got back on land, my equilibrium was a bit off. For several hours it felt like I was still out on the boat. Is there a proper term to describe this?

Answer 1

In my neck of the woods, we call it MARGARITA-ED. We usually get that feeling long before we get to land. Some also call it wavy legs. One must remember it is called different things depending on region of U.S. Much like soda, while others call it pop. Please keep this in mind when selecting best answer.

Answer 2

This is a great question. After serving in the US Navy and living on a ship for years, I am presently an avid saltwater fisherman. I used to feel the sensation for the first few days of a sea deployment and then it would go away. Now I usually notice the feeling early in the boating season after the winter, and then it stops completely. It’s most noticeable in the shower after the boat ride (closed space?) and I call it the Loco Motion (the song).

When you get over the feeling, you have your SeaLegs. Each trip out on a boat usually helps you get over the feeling faster, but some people’s equilibrium will not adjust quickly enough. This will cause a dizziness often followed by throwing up (If you have too much to drink and lie down, sometimes the same feeling occurs). Even though we lived on a ship, some of my shipmates would be sick when we went to sea every time. Usually most would get their SeaLegs in a few days. Some would be sick for weeks and have to have a doctor’s attention.

Some tips on avoiding sea sickness: Try to focus your eyes on the clouds, or the horizon. Search for things, sea turtles, flying fish, sea weed or whatever, but just keep your eyes busy. Eat crackers and drink water or Gatorade at the start of the trip and continue to stay hydrated. (Alcohol is bad stuff due to the heat, the rocking boat, the fish hooks, and the long distance to the nearest hospital.) Spend as much time in the fresh air (not in a hot cabin) and move around as much as possible. *Avoid the engines exhaust fumes at the stern of the boat.

Hope you continue to be a boating member and enjoy a long life.

Capt. Ed

Answer 3

That is sea legs. It has to do with how your body compensates for the rocking motion of the boat. It takes a while to return to normal.

The human body has amazing coping abilities. This is one of them. Another interesting experiment I was shown involved wearing a pair of those old 3D eyeglasses that they used to issue in theaters. The left eye had a blue lens the right eye had a red lens. After wearing them for a half hour, take them off. Now, cover your left eye you will find that your right eye, that had the blue lens over it now makes everything look red-ish. Your left eye that had the red lens now makes everything look blue-ish. Amazing stuff.

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Answer 4

It's a form of motion sickness.It has something to do with the equillibrium in the inner ear(cochlea) and the brain.The sensitive inner ear is still sending signals to the brain of motion,although there is none(anymore).
Some folks don't handle this too well which leads to "sea sickness" and losing your lunch over the side.
I think it's best described as a "rocking" feeling.Sounds like you did ok...

Answer 5

sealeggs This is caused from your vestibuler portion of the inner ear your equilibrium has been set off balance for a short period of time. Nothing to worry about The more you boat the less you will notice it Anchors Away

Answer 6

EXHAUSTION and sometimes Intoxication enhanced with alcoholic beverages.

Answer 7

I have no clue, but i felt the same way the other day. queezy? ...........

Answer 8

sea legs!