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sailorboy1 · 15-03-2016, 13:41

what's a vee-berth

**JPA Cate** · 15-03-2016, 13:41

SURV69,

Sorry to learn about your back. I, too, lack some flexibility (2 spinal fusions, one spinal decompression surgery), and fwiw, I am older than you, no stranger to back pain. Jim and I sleep forward at anchor, and we manage, feet forward. This has nothing to do with you.

I think Boatman61's advice is spot on. It is your boat, and you *should* sleep however works best for you. Period. What others may or may not do is irrelevant. See to placing fans for adequate ventilation if needed.

My ex used to say: "illegitimae non carborundum". Don't let the bastards wear you down.

Ann

troppo · 15-03-2016, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by scareygary

Foreberth or not, when underway I ask all crew to sleep with feet towards the bow, (very few exceptions). At night, there is always a risk of collision with something unexpected out there, and I'd much rather deal with broken ankles than broken necks from being slammed headfirst into a bulkhead......

At anchor or moored, I don't enforce this at all. I know what you mean about the gymnastics involved in getting in the V berth, twisting around and such. Boat size, type and design has a lot to do with it! With company, it's a mix of gymnastics and dance...and maybe some wrestling....

I am not sure if the 4 or 5 knots I travel at is enough to break necks.

Certainly there is a danger of collision at night. In my area with my small boat, collision with the massive coal carriers or gas tankers is a risk as there are so many of them. If I collided with one of those tankers, I guess it would not matter if I was sleeping in the bow or cabin. However, being solo and coastal cruising, I only sleep when anchored. And I try to avoid anchoring in shipping channels. They are too deep and it wears me out hauling in all that anchor rode.

Lizzy Belle · 15-03-2016, 15:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by troppo

And I try to avoid anchoring in shipping channels.

I hope I am misunderstanding 'shipping channel' in this case ..

troppo · 15-03-2016, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

I hope I am misunderstanding 'shipping channel' in this case ..

Thank you Lizzy, I was hoping somebody would read my post and wonder . . .

It's just my warped sense of humour, I don't anchor in shipping channels.

You have an awesome day!

Louis

RNW · 15-03-2016, 16:16

In all tight berths, leather 'bus hanger' straps attached to the 'ceiling' make quick and safe transition aids, especially if you are injured or old. Velcro tabs hold them against the ceiling when not in use.

Lizzy Belle · 15-03-2016, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by troppo

Thank you Lizzy, I was hoping somebody would read my post and wonder

Haha! If it had been posted in Dutch and I was sure about it being what we call a "vaargeul", I'd have suggested just grabbing a buoy, so much more convenient

But all the nautical terms ... Not always sure in English and after some misunderstandings here, I am a little more careful and just post about not being sure. Thinking someone is joking and something getting lost in translation ... doesn't always end well *blush*

unclemack · 15-03-2016, 16:29

Never slept in a hammock myself but have been thinking about trying one. Vee-berth could take too long to climb out of with a sea running and saloon seat berths weirdly run athwartships and high up on my boat.

I could rig a hammock near midships low down on the centreline where it's least bouncy. Should make a decent sea berth shouldn't it?

Thinking it could be comfortable, breathe better than foam, be less prone to damp or mould - just not sure whether being gimballed is a plus or a minus.

Probably good to avoid the clapper-in-a-bell effect but wouldn't want it to be so comfortable that I sleep through a change of wind or sea.

Anyone used a hammock on a boat and know what to expect?

Lizzy Belle · 15-03-2016, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclemack

Vee-berth could take too long to climb out of with a sea running and saloon seat berths weirdly run athwartships and high up on my boat.

V-berth

I'm sorry - in the saloon, your bunks / settees run from port to star and not from bow to aft, following the lines of the boat?

Hammocks are great on a boat -- hanging from the boom or between stay and mast. Never had the urge to hang one inside tho.

IdoraKeeper · 15-03-2016, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

what's a vee-berth

Don, it's "V Birth".

It' imperative to go in head first. Anything else will result in confusion and hasty retreat.

robert sailor · 15-03-2016, 16:52

Who would have thought a thread like this would get legs, no pun intended

jkindredpdx · 15-03-2016, 17:09

Can't believe I read this whole thread...

gotta say the only times that I slept head to bow in my v-berth was when so drunk I simply crawled in a collapsed.

Normally I sleep feet forward... to escape I lift my feet and do a back roll. It's part of a complete boat yoga routine.

jmschmidt · 15-03-2016, 17:40

While sleeping under way I think feet forward has something to do with using your feet to reinforce the collision bulkhead rather that your head. Sounds good to me. While at anchor it doesn't make any difference.

mawtty · 15-03-2016, 17:42

In my 27 foot sloop I always have my head to the bow, especially when sailing, because as the boat heels my feet are below my head. I roll to the lee side of course. I can't imagine sleeping otherwise.