Cruiser Midnight

[sailorboy1]

I've read over the years that 9pm is cruiser's midnight. The question is: do cruisers go to bed early because they have nothing really to do, or is it that by then they are too drunk to stay awake?

[Double-Wide]

Early to bed, early to rise!

Most Bahamas cruisers get up very early to hear the Chris Parker weather report on the SSB then a long day in the sun diving, hiking, doing boat chores, playing volleyball, having a couple of cold ones, followed by early evening get togethers. By 9:00 you will be pretty worn out and ready for bed.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Hud3]

Generally 8:30 was bedtime for us, then up at dawn. Staying up late requires lights, which wastes amp-hours!

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Hud3

Generally 8:30 was bedtime for us, then up at dawn. Staying up late requires lights, which wastes amp-hours!

only real amateurs can not drink in the dark

[Adelie]

After awhile my circadian rhythm starts to follow the sun.

[rwidman]

At my age I go to bed at 9:00 PM regardless.

Seriously, going to bed early makes it easier to get up at first daylight to either get underway or just sit and enjoy the day. If you're at a marina and there's a party going on that's an exception but if you're anchored and just sitting and staring at each other, you might as well go to bed.

[Island Time O25]

You get so much more done when you're up with sunrise that you can even afford an early afternoon nap or two.

[pillum]

Originally Posted by rwidman

At my age I go to bed at 9:00 PM regardless.

Seriously, going to bed early makes it easier to get up at first daylight to either get underway or just sit and enjoy the day. If you're at a marina and there's a party going on that's an exception but if you're anchored and just sitting and staring at each other, you might as well go to bed.

Wholeheartedly agree Ron, and you can always take the party to bed too.

[Jim Krause]

Originally Posted by Adelie

After awhile my circadian rhythm starts to follow the sun.

Yes - when I go cruising and get on "boat time" I lose the influences of civilization and become more attuned to nature.

Everyone knows that sunsets on the water are beautiful- but sunrises are equally grand. That said- I usually miss these as I've been up till 2 looking for the northern lights.

I wouldn't say that 9PM is cruisers "midnight"- but it is quiet time when the sun sets. (I could comment on clueless yahoos playing music in an otherwise peaceful anchorage at 10PM but I'll resist. DOH! too late...)

[belizesailor]

I think for most its just a more natural rhythm: Sun comes up, wake up. Sun goes down, start winding down.

My home is open to the jungle canopy so I do the same ashore too. I'm usually up around dawn or a bit before either ashore or afloat. Feel like I've wasted a good part of my day if I snooze in. Really enjoy my early morning & coffee.

When in a City we often stay up later and when sleeping in a concrete box with heavy curtains (hotel room) its hard to tell when the sun is up so we sleep later too.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Adelie

After awhile my circadian rhythm starts to follow the sun.

I think once you get away from "modern" life, meaning brightly lit cities, and TV etc, that is exactly what happens, it's normal and probably more healthy.
It's interesting to read about what peoples sleep patterns were several hundred years ago, it's vastly different than now.
I think it's called segmented sleep?


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[zboss]

Not me... I'm a 2 AM to 8 AM sleeper or maybe 12 AM to 6 AM if I am working. It bugs me that Marathon has a 10 PM noise ordinance - I'm just getting going!

[44'cruisingcat]

The reason most people stay up late is because they're watching TV.


Most cruisers have better things to do. I'd rather get up early and go fishing.

[boatman61]

I think the 9pm is midnight is an American thing.. not a Cruiser thing..
Apart from the cities.. once in the 'Boonies' of Virginia, the Carolina's etc... everything fun is shut or shutting by 9pm..
The 'Wrinkly over 50's' disappear and if you want to play late the only places open are biker/redneck bars full of testosterone that can be problemtic if your not careful..
This side of the Pond is a whole different ball game.. if your spending they'll stay open all night.
I'm good on 3-4hrs a night.. at sea.. on land I've been known to last 36hrs if I'm having fun.. then bounce back after a power nap.
Its what your body gets used to.. your as old as you choose to make yourself..

[Mike OReilly]

We follow the sun, which for higher-latitutde sailing means staying up quite late and get up pretty early during the summer. On northern Lake Superior at equinox the Sun doesn't even set till around 10pm, and rises again around 6 am. So the drinking for me goes on way past 9pm

Of course now that I'm spending a season way down south here on Lake Ontario, I'll have to get used to the 9pm sunsets.