Can You Sleep While Sailing?
Can you sleep while sailing is one of the questions we get asked the most about our lives onboard.
Watching the sunset over the ocean, lying in the cockpit as you look into a sky full of stars, seeing dolphins lit by bioluminescence and the thrill of knowing you’re out there alone can make night sailing a truly magical experience, but can you actually sleep while sailing?
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I had never really considered the implications of sleeping on a sailboat before we set off on this adventure, so there was a steep learning curve when we moved onboard!
Sleeping on a sailboat in a marina or at anchor is one thing. When the boat isn’t moving (forward), you don’t have as many things to take into consideration. While the boat is stationary, Adam and I both tend to get a full night’s sleep.
There are various things that can happen at anchor or in a marina that prevent you from sleeping or sleeping well, but on the whole sleeping on a sailboat that isn’t sailing is pretty similar to sleeping in a house!
Can you sleep while actually sailing though? Now that is a different question altogether. The simple answer is yes, you can absolutely sleep while sailing. The longer and more truthful answer is that it’s a little more complex.
We’ve attempted to answer all your questions about this topic below, but if you’re still feeling curious about an aspect of sleeping aboard then feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll be sure to get back to you!
Can You Sleep While Sailing? Quick Menu
How do you sleep when sailing?
How do single-handed sailors sleep while sailing?
Where do you sleep while underway?
Is sleeping on a sailboat comfortable?
Important equipment to have while sleeping on a sailboat
Sleeping in the middle of the ocean
Is it safe to sleep while sailing?
How Do You Sleep When Sailing?
Everyone is different when it comes to their preferred methods of sleeping at sea, and it will also depend a lot on your boat, the conditions, your crew, and your experience.
When you first do an overnight passage we would suggest you stick with just the one night, so you can start to work out patterns that are best for you and your crew, and get the feel of sailing in the dark.
It’s a wonderful experience (most of the time!), but it’s also a very different one that you’ll want to build up confidence in slowly.
Take Shifts
If you have crew on board, this is the safest and most practical option for sleeping while sailing. Taking shifts ensures everyone gets a decent amount of sleep, and that the boat is always being taken care of.
There are differing opinions about the best about of time to sleep while on shift patterns. Most couples we know favour 4 hours on and 4 hours off.
Say you start when the sun sets, at 9 pm. The first person on watch will take their shift from 9 pm till 1 am, the second from 1 am till 5 am, and you can repeat this as many times as you need until you reach your destination or have had enough rest for the day.
Adam and I find 4 hours just that little bit too long and tend to take 3-hour shifts starting a little earlier. Some people sleep for only two hours. We have found with only two of us on board we can be a little flexible with our shifts, and if I’m feeling spritely I’ll take an extra hour before waking Adam, or if I’m lagging I’ll wake him earlier.
Obviously the more crew you have on board, the more sleep and rest you can get! But the less flexible you can be with shift patterns. If you have crew onboard who you don’t usually sail with, it’s a good idea to draw up a shift timetable to make sure everyone knows exactly when they’re on watch.
There is a lot of science on the best chunk of time to sleep for to enable maximum performance, and if you’re super serious about night sailing then you might want to read up on it. As we only do night sails a few times each season we prefer to be a bit more flexible and go by what feels right for us at the time.
Heave To
Stopping the boat using heave to isn’t just for storms. Some sailors will use heave to, to bring the boat to a stop while they get a few hours kip.
Heaving to is when you tack the mainsail but don’t tack the foresail. It brings the boat into a relatively stationary position and is more comfortable in big seas. Not all boats can heave to, so you’ll need to practice a little and see what works best for your style of boat.
If this is a maneuver you can do, it is a great way to calm the boat down in rougher seas and might be the perfect way to get some much-needed sleep while sailing if you’re struggling to go down below on a rough passage.
It isn’t a totally fool-proof solution, as you’ll still need to keep an eye on other traffic and the weather, but it should buy you some rest time if you’re struggling to sleep while underway.
How Do Single-Handed Sailors Sleep?
Can you sleep while sailing on your own? The short answer is yes, but obviously, it’s a little more complicated than that!
If you’re a single-handed sailor sailing close to shore then we thoroughly recommend you drop anchor while you get some kip. We have a friend who ran aground sailing solo along the coastline when his autopilot failed while he was napping.
Things like catabatic winds off mountainous shorelines, fishing nets, and other traffic can quickly turn your little cat nap into a disaster. It’s better to plot a route further offshore or find somewhere to anchor for a few hours of sleep if you’re sailing solo along a coastline.
Short Naps
If you’re in the middle of the ocean then there are fewer hazards and it’s possible to take lots of quick naps to ensure you get some rest while sailing. Waking up every hour to scan the horizon before heading back to sleep is the best way to sleep as a single-handed sailor.
If you’re careful not to look at bright screens and you can get into a routine of scanning the horizon quickly and effectively before putting your head down for another hour, you’ll find that your sleep isn’t as broken as you might think.
You’ll still want to break up your sleep into shorter sections, even with that scan of the horizon. Single-handed sailors will get up properly every few hours, to check the weather and the heading, and perform basic checks on the boat and sails.
Use Of Equipment
Nowadays there is also a lot of awesome technology that will make your life easier when sleeping at sea, especially as a single-handed sailor. Although you should never completely rely on technology, it’s a very reassuring thing to have at your disposal.
We’ve got a section on the best equipment to have when sailing at night below.
Buddy Boat
A great way to stay safer while sailing solo overnight is to leave with a friend. There’s safety in numbers! If you can find a boat that sails at a similar pace to you, you can help each other out a little on passage.
Leave radio or phone communications open and you’ve got double the eyes. It’s not completely water tight, and you’ll still want to do your own checks, but there’s some security in knowing you’re not completely alone out there!
Where Do You Sleep While Underway?
Bluewater sailboats are usually well set up for sleeping on board, and the gentle rocking and sea breeze should help you fall asleep in no time!
Most sailboats have a v-berth cabin at the bow of the boat. This is a triangular-shaped bed that fits into the nose of the sailboat. It takes a little getting used to, but it’s perfectly comfortable on calm seas.
If you’re trying to sleep in rougher seas though, a bed at the bow of the boat isn’t always the best. Most boats have a settee amidships that can become a berth, and this is usually a better choice for sleeping when sailing.
The main berth on Hot Chocolate is towards the stern of the boat, and this is where Adam and I sleep on passage. There is a little hatch right next to the bed that leads to the cockpit, so it’s super easy to wake the person sleeping quickly if needed.
Another good option, if your boat has enough room, is to sleep in the cockpit. This is especially handy for solo sailors, as you have a view of all the ‘action’ as soon as you wake up.
Is Sleeping On A Sailboat Comfortable?
It can be hard to sleep while sailing for a number of reasons, but not usually because the beds aren’t comfortable!
The main reason I struggle to sleep at sea is psychological. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m responsible for the boat, and I find it hard to switch off knowing Adam is out there on his own. We put a few safety steps in place (listed below) for when we’re sailing ‘solo’ when there’s only one of us in the cockpit.
Knowing that we’ve covered areas of potential danger has helped me sleep much more soundly at sea.
Another obvious reason that sleeping while sailing can be uncomfortable is down to the sea state. It’s not easy to nod off when the boat is rolling around all over the place, creaking, slamming, or groaning.
Lee clothes can really help you feel more secure when sleeping underway, and a bit of boat preparation before bedtime can make a big difference. Make sure everything is stowed correctly and sort out any strange clangs or bangs before it gets dark.
You should also make sure all crew are prepped on keeping the noise at an absolute minimum while others are sleeping. There’s nothing worse than waking to a loud shout from someone in an environment you’re already on edge in, even if it is a laugh!
Important Equipment To Have When Sleeping On A Sailboat
If you’re planning on doing longer passages on your sailboat where you’ll need to sleep overnight (or over many nights) then it’s wise to have certain equipment on board that you may or may not have for day sails.
I haven’t included essential gear for day sailing here, as I’m assuming you already have that before heading off on a night passage. Things like lifejackets and tethers should be worn at all times, and aren’t included in this ‘extras’ list!
AIS – The automatic identification system transmits your ship’s position so that other ships can see you, and you can see them. This only works for boats with AIS though, so don’t rely on it fully! All our gear onboard is Raymarine, and we can’t recommend them more.
Radar – Again, a useful tool for spotting other ships in the ocean. It will also give you an idea of storms or bad weather coming your way.
Radio – This is a standard essential for any sailing, but consider a handheld radio for night watches. These enable the person on watch to stay in the cockpit at all times, and we clip ours onto our lifejackets in case of an overboard situation.
Lee Cloth – Make sure at least one of your berths has a lee cloth so you can sleep while the boat is heeling.
Headtorch with red light – A decent headtorch with a red night light is essential for seeing lines etc. while night sailing.
Decent sailing jacket – Even if you’re sailing in tropical climates, the nights outside on watch can get cold. Make sure you have decent layers and a hot water bottle!
Sleeping In The Middle Of The Ocean
If you’re wondering what it’s like to sleep in the middle of the ocean, with no internet signal and no other boats for miles around, then give this a watch! We hope it inspires you to do the same!
Once you lose signal on your phone you suddenly become aware of just how alone you are out there. It’s both thrilling, and a little un-nerving! You quickly get used to the rhythms of life at sea, and we honestly found we didn’t want to see land as quickly as we did.
Night sailing has become one of our favourite times to sail, and although you’re always a little apprehensive before the passage, it’s always a night (or three!) to remember!
Is It Safe To Sleep On A Sailboat?
Obviously sailing at night is a little riskier, as you don’t have the same visibility you do during the day. Tiredness and being short-crewed can also make night sailing more difficult.
That being said, with the right gear and the right systems in place, there’s no reason at all why it isn’t perfectly safe to sleep on a sailboat!
Wear safety gear
The best ways to stay safe while sleeping on a sailboat are to have and wear appropriate safety gear. Adam and I make sure we’re always clipped in when alone in the cockpit, we use PLBs and we always wake each other if we need to go up on deck for any reason.
Adam has also promised never to use the stern toilet (one of the most common reasons for MOB situations!) Take note of this and make sure it’s never you!
Avoid sleep deprivation
Another huge safety consideration is getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can cause all sorts of serious side effects that can impact your sailing ability and your efforts to keep others sleeping onboard safe!
Sleeping on a sailboat is something you need to get used to. Go slowly, start off in a marina, then try sleeping on anchor, and then make sure you’re heading off on a short night sail. Building up to sleeping onboard will help you get used to it, and ensure you get a decent night’s sleep when you’re at sea!
If you’re worried about the amount of sleep you’ve had you should always communicate this to your fellow crewmates. Don’t put the boat and everyone on board in danger due to your own pride!
Set Alarms
This might seem obvious, but if you’re solo-sailing then make sure you set an alarm (loud!) to wake you up at certain times. You should also set alarms on your radar and AIS, and even your wind and depth sounders, to ensure you’ve got all bases covered!
Top Tips To Get The Best Sleep While Sailing
- Lay out your night clothes and any other things you’ll need before it gets dark, so you’re not clambering around the boat looking for things while others are sleeping.
- Only use red lights at night so your eyes stay adjusted to the dark.
- Try to plan passages on clear nights with a full moon if you can. You’ll have much better visibility.
- Keep lots of snacks on board. They’re amazing boredom busters for those on watch!
- Keep an eye mask on board in case you’ve got the early evening or early morning sleep time.
- We sleep in our lifejackets and outdoor clothes so we’re always ready to jump up and help on deck.
- Make sure you always wake up the person for their shift with a hot drink!
- Prepare the boat for nighttime before it gets dark. Have all the plates stowed from dinner, tie down any slapping lines etc.
- Have a good audiobook or kindle read at the ready!
So, Can You Sleep While Sailing?
Can you sleep while sailing? Absolutely! Sleeping on a sailboat is an incredible experience, and if you enjoy sailing then it’s definitely something to add to the bucket list.
Some of our favourite sails have been overnight, and the feeling of being woken up with a hot drink for your shift under the stars is quite a feeling! The sunsets and sunrises at sea are also always incredible, so Adam and I always time our shifts so we’re both awake at these times!
If you’re sleeping on a sailboat for the first time soon then we’d love to hear from you. Leave us a message below or reach out on social media!
What is an ‘MOB’ situation? I didn’t catch why one should not use the stern toilet.
Can you elaborate pls?
Thanks!