There are many that can easily sleep on a moving boat in the ocean. Still, others find it impossible to relax while cruising, mostly because of the stress. But, of course, your nightly worries won’t stop you from sailing. There are some easy tricks and tips you can apply to optimize your bedtime experience. Before preparing for your first night sleeping on the boat, consider Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It’s important to address our physiological and safety needs. Meaning that you have to feel safe on both a psychological and mental level. So, in this article, I will list some tips that will help you sleep comfortably while sailing. Follow me!

First Things First…

The first thing to think about is how you are planning to use your boat and focus on your needs. Meaning that you have to determine the design of your bed and your sleeping times. For instance, you can buy a simple and inexpensive foam mattress or a custom-made spring mattress. In case you’re only planning to spend a few nights aboard, then you should buy a simple foam mattress. But, if you plan to cruise on long passages, then it’s advisable to invest in a comfy and well-designed mattress. So, always think carefully according to your cruising plans.

Moreover, before deciding which mattress you are going to buy, you also have to consider your budget. I know that sleeping and eating, especially while sailing, is one of the most vital things that provide us with energy. But buying a good mattress might cost you an arm and a leg. So, it’s important to get the best option for the best value. There are, however, custom mattresses that can be less expensive and may work just as well for the budget-minded. Keep in mind that you should buy a similar mattress to the one you use at home.

Preparation is Key

What’s more than the mattress is preparation before sleeping. Meaning that all sail covers have to be off, the halyards attached, checking the engine as well as the weather forecast, once again. In other words, if you’re sailing in tidal waters, you ought to double-check the tides. It’s also crucial to prepare the cockpit by putting a torch, hand-bearing compass, water, binoculars, and a spare safety tether. In addition, lifelines should be attached even if you’re sleeping in the cockpit. And keep in mind that you shouldn’t leave the cockpit while on a single watch.

If you have a fast boat, then you probably cover good distances without using too much sail at night. Moreover, the sail area is reduced during the night by furling the jib. The preparation also includes putting the bimini down, the sprayhood up, as well as one or two reefs in the main, depending on the risk of squalls. Furthermore, foul-weather lifejackets have to be worn during night time. Last but not least, while on night watches, check the weather thoroughly and reef accordingly before it gets dark.

Micro-sleeping and Micro-waking

When you’re solo sailing, the fact is that you won’t get much sleep. You’ll have to learn to live with very little sleep. It may feel like hell for the first week or two, but trust me, it will get a lot easier with practice. Set a course, then get some sleep for 2 to 4 hours before waking up to inspect or change watch with your partner and return back to bed for another 2 hours or so.

Sailing while sleeping can be challenging and takes a boost of confidence, but once you get used to it, you’ll be able to make incredible progress. This half-awake condition can be weird, and there’s nothing wrong with dropping anchor and taking it slowly while having some rest. But keep in mind that anchors can be misused, so keep a close eye on where you’re going to drop anchor.

In case you’re sleeping in the cabin, it’s crucial for the cabin to be properly dehumidified. Mold and mildew can not only make it difficult to sleep, but they can also pose a significant health risk if they become high enough. So, I strongly advise you to keep a boat dehumidifier container near your bed.

It’s important to note that sleeping eight hours through the night is called monophasic sleep. So, when you break this time frame into multiple naps, this is called polyphasic sleep. I know that we sailors can fall asleep whenever and wherever we close our eyes. But, taking frequent naps while sailing is a rule of thumb you have to apply. On the other hand, the length of your sleep is a complicated matter and varies individually. There are sailors that sleep for only 20 minutes at a time. So this enables them to frequently check performance and sailing conditions while still getting the minimum sleep. Others require at least 2 hours of sleep and then change watch with another crew member. However, if you’re a solo sailor, then the first option is more advisable to apply.

Bear in mind that a 50-minute sleep will cause more sleep inertia than a 20-minute nap or an 80-minute nap. Inertia is that heavy feeling right after you wake up. You feel tired, maybe a little disoriented, and not quite fully able to perform your daily tasks. Sleep inertia usually doesn’t last that long. It typically lasts only a few minutes, but sometimes much longer, and causes profound confusion, disorientation, and impaired performance. So, at 50 minutes of sleep, you’re in the stage of deep sleep, which means that this is likely to cause sleep inertia. And, in case you wake up after 40 to 50 minutes, you’re likely to find yourself unable to understand what’s going on. So, it’s advisable to sleep for 20 minutes or 80 minutes. After 80 minutes, you should be on the backside of slow-wave sleep.

>>Also Read: Sleep Deprivation While Sailing and How to Combat it

Watch Patterns

There are many factors to take into account before setting up watch patterns. For example, how many people are on board, how mentally and physically exhausting the conditions are, and the personal preferences of each person. There are many that can’t sleep during the day, whereas others prefer a short night’s sleep and a longer day off-watch.

Keep in mind that there are 5 stages of REM (rapid eye movement). Usually, you repeat successively through each of the stages, then begin again. Many prefer to follow the four-hour sleep rule of REM. The average person sleeps for four hours, two hours, and one hour, with waking periods in between. With only three people on board, a three-hours-on, six-hours-off watch system ensures that you can get your four hours of sleep. Sleeping for two hours on and four hours off is not the same as sleeping for four hours. It would be great if you end up with just three hours after you’ve brushed your teeth, had a snack, go to the head, and maybe read for a few minutes.

The best would be a four-person shift pattern with two hours on and six off. Like this, the crew will feel better and will be more easygoing and happier. Bear in mind that there are different watch systems you can apply, but they depend on how many persons you have onboard. If it’s just you and your partner, then you can do three hours on and three off during the night and four on four off during the day to catch up. Also, if you’re alone on watch, then it’s advisable to steer for about 20 minutes, look around the horizon all the time, and then have a look at the AIS and radar.

If you have three people onboard, you can do three on, six off, and steer as much as you can to keep busy. This is because when concentration levels fall, then the autopilot goes on for a while and a snack or coffee is what will be able to awaken you.

Handover Between Watches

It’s important to establish a way in which you hand over between watches. I know that when you finish a shift in the middle of the night, all you want to do is lay down and enjoy the few hours of sleep you have. But, remember that the person coming on watch has only just woken up. Spend some time with him/her and chat, get him/her a cup of coffee and talk about anything that comes to your mind. Also, the person that is coming on watch should always read the log and check if any problem or damage occurred.

Winds and Weather

Regarding trade winds and westerlies, how are you going to keep yourself moving while napping? Well, bear in mind that ocean winds don’t shift in the same way that wind does on land. And this makes it easier to catch a wind stream and ride it basically as long as you wish. You can also work on setting up a few lines to hold your sails in place in order to avoid being blown off course. Returning to your original location can be incredibly difficult, depending on how long you’ve been off track.

In addition, the air tends to cool at night, even over the sea. This would be more apparent if it has been a sunny day close to the land. As a result, there are fewer gusts, and the overall wind speed is lower. Some lighthouses will be obscured by low-lying clouds or hill fog on a night. You should also take into account the height of the lantern from the chart and be prepared for any unexpected disappointment.

At night, haloes around the moon can be very visible. A large one is normally a forewarning of an impending front. Consider starting the engine and maintaining boat speed if the wind is light. When the air is humid, a few degrees of cooling after dark may be just enough to transform poor-to-moderate visibility into mist or even fog. Lastly, note that you can easily see distant lightning during the night, so don’t be too alarmed if you see suddenly see it around the horizon.

Hazards to Avoid

Fishing pots are a big danger while sailing at night. It’s mostly a matter of common sense to stay away from them. They can be either laid in deep water, but they’re mostly hidden in less than 50 meters. Even if you are sure of your position, thanks to radar and plotter, avoid shallows if possible, particularly near fishing harbors and inside passages around headlands. Even if you know where you are, you always run the risk of the engine grinding to a halt or being moored by the rudder in a high tide. When you enter an unknown harbor during the night, this might also be a danger. Always check the charts and your surroundings, and if possible, avoid entering at night. In addition, if you’re planning close-in night pilotage, be aware of light pollution.

Food

For night passages, there’s much to be said about food preparation before you let go of the dock lines. You can cook a simple and energetic meal like a stew, soup, or salad. Whatever you choose, cook enough so as to keep some more in case you need it. You can place the leftover in the pan so as to reduce washing up and giving the person on watch the luxury of warming it up for a bowl-full at midnight. In addition, make sure to stow the makings of a proper breakfast. If you’re sailing on rough passages, plan ahead and cook something highly nutritious, like an avocado toast, a smoothie, or a salad with nuts. Don’t forget that hot drinks are also important. So, boil a kettle and have a safe place for the mug while you pour tea or coffee.

Safety

Wear a lifejacket at all times. But don’t feel obligated to do so if the weather is clear, as long as you remain in the cockpit. The harness tether is also important, and if it’s included in the lifer, that’s even better. In that scenario, you’ve taken care of everything. Keep in mind that it isn’t always that easy to discipline yourself. But, in case you don’t feel well while being at watch, call your partner in order to give you a hand or replace you if needed.

>>Also Read: Can You Sleep While Sailing?

Auto-pilot

Switching on auto-pilot and getting some restful sleep while sailing isn’t always feasible. This is because it requires a ton of extra power. And, you should consider how often do you want to run the engine to recharge the battery. Maybe you have installed solar cells on board, but even with these, you can’t have that amount of power. So, it is advisable to learn to manage the convenience of autopilot and put yourself to the true test.

Staying Awake

Bear in mind that our daily lives aren’t set up for sleeping in short periods of time and then staying awake for half the night. However, many people adapt easily to this, even when sailing on long passages. In any case, you shouldn’t stress yourself too much and think that you are capable to go on without some sleep throughout the day. As aforementioned, few hours of sleep are enough.

Let’s assume that you have an autopilot or the boat can be persuaded to steer on its own for a while. In this case, if you keep a three-hour watch in decent weather is attainable. Just don’t sit in the cockpit thinking about an overdraft that might not even occur. Consider moving around and checking in the horizon. If there’s no danger, head down below and put on the kettle. Check constantly and at least every five minutes to make sure nothing has changed while you’re making your tea or coffee. Enjoy your tea on deck!

What Happens if you Lose too Much Sleep

Bear in mind that hallucinations are only one symptom of sleep deprivation, and singlehanded sailors aren’t the only ones who don’t get enough sleep. The majority of cruising boats make ocean passages with only two persons on board. Sickness, injury, or even the loss of a crewmember can put a strain on those who are still able-bodied. Note that heavy weather can overwhelm self-steering systems, thus requiring the boat to be hand-steered. So, when being day and night at the helm, it’s more than crucial to get the least out of sleep. There are also times when a watch has to be extended. For instance, when navigating through traffic or when making landfall. In order to think clearly and decide what steps or course to take, sleep, and food is what will help you make the right decision.

Tips for Sleeping Comfortably While Sailing – The Bottom Line

Whether you sail with your partner, crew, or solo, sleep is the most important factor in your life. We all know the benefits of sleep, so there’s no need to explain it further. It’s important not to sleep too much or too little as this will affect your mind and thus your sailing plans and voyage. Micro-napping and micro-waking should be followed strictly as well as establishing watches with your partner. In addition, safety is also important while sailing at night. Avoid unknown harbors and excessive light, and always check the weather forecast again and again. Lastly, food, hot drinks, and some music to accompany you will keep you awake and happy! I wish you all safe and happy voyages!