Is that LAND I smell on the horizon? [Ep. 138]

Great video as usual! Had to replay those first minutes in the beginning to make sure it was still a sailing video I was watching 😂. Keep up the good works with the videos 😉. I hope its not too serious with the neck! Cheers!

Likewise! We are chartering a 45 Outremer in October and would love to know as much as possible about it!

Looking forward to the full debrief on the cat!

I think Elayna is quite the actress, in the spirit of The Blair Witch Project...

How come you guys didn't take on crew for the crossing? I would think the additional sleep would help.

Great episode guys, hope all goes well with the appointment Riley. I'm a registered nurse and have been working nights for the past 15 years and can empathize with your sleep deprivation Elayna, I will from time to time use a sleeping pill (Zoplicone )...it works like a charm and gives me a solid 8 hrs sleep and does not make you feel groggy when you wake up.

Just joined. Can’t wait to get my sticker.

Just joined and enjoying ... havhave owned sailed monohull my whole life and am enjoying. maybe we can catchup together some time soon I hope. Have followed Rick for 2 years. Started sailing Caribbean in 1967 on 210 foot Yankee Clipper with Capt Mike Burke and Windjammer Barefoot Cruises. Have sailed Americas Cup Spirit of America to my JBOAT 37. 2min

“It’s a squall!” So funny! Ackbar for the win! SLV at its finest! So damn good.

Coming to Dominica? If so we would love to give you guys a couple days off at a luxury stay with a few fantastic sailors etc. Let us know when and where.

Love the updates and look forward to every episode! Would love to see you guys in Florida!

love you guys!

I would think that your insomnia is caused by the added stress of not knowing the actual medical condision of riley. Adding the stress level at sea it can be hard to actually find inner peace. When I get into such a situation it helped me to empty out my brain by writing down everything I was thinking about. All my concerns and todos and random thoughts. Once its on the paper my brain usually is willing to let go for a while and sleep is allowed to creep in.

Love it - Sleeep is good says lots about your skills thats what matters confident and Conservative is all the way forward. If ever in doubt, make the call and play safety first no questions asked - always no when to call that one. Way to go Vagabond... remember they will be watching this 50 x years hence as good advice you gave yourselves listen to the rhythm of life. XX Pete The Sea will never be conquered even then and beyond Nature its bigger than that.

it looks like tough work guys enjoy some rest now.

Do you have any kind of sea berth rigging? Something where you're basically strapped in to the side of the bed? A lot of new mothers can't figure out why their kid is crying when the issue is that he/she isn't wrapped up like a burrito. Sometimes we need that kind of support to relax fully. I'm also a fan of foam earplugs to help isolate your brain from the world...

Admiral Ackbar!!

That was an amazing movie, your journey is full of ups and downs. We all know what it is like to not be able to sleep. You have the stress of not knowing what is happening with Riley and of course there is the constant slap of the water against the hull of the cat. I guess there is a down side to going fast. You and your boat seem so insignificant against the vast Atlantic Ocean. Well done to the both of you and good luck Riley with your tests.

Elayna, I use potato starch, which is a kind of resistant starch. I know it sounds too simple, but it is a pre-biotic, which feeds the bacteria in the gut. It has done amazing things to my sleep! I have incredible dreams, even a sensation of lucid dreaming, where I participate consciously in the dream. Many people experience improved REM sleep. I just dissolve a tablespoon of Bob's Red Mill Potato Starch in something fizzy and drink it down. Green bananas are also supposed to have resistant starch. Here is an article:<a href="http://drhyman.com/blog/2016/03/24/the-starch-that-makes-you-lean-and-healthy/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://drhyman.com/blog/2016/03/24/the-starch-that-makes-you-lean-and-healthy/</a>

Long time insomniac here. I lived for almost 6 years getting only 2-4 hours of sleep a night and it was literally killing me. One of the BEST ways you can advise yourself about sleeping is through Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. Such an important, fascinating and helpful books in existence. It explains all the wonderful ways sleep resets and heal our body, tips and tricks for better sleeping habits, and can advise you on whether or not melatonin is a good choice for you, when to use it effectively, how to read and work with circadian rhythms, etc. I would not recommend using melatonin long-term, although it does work for a lot of people, because it will screw up how your body naturally produces melatonin! Herbal remedies: I love Tulsi Sleep Tea by Organic India, and I put a few sprigs of dried kava in my tea, drink as I'm settling down for bed. I also love this tincture I've been using (link below). I've never had good luck with herbal remedies but this tincture is a perfect balance and I only use about 5-7 drops in my tea before bed. <a href="https://ravencrestbotanicals.com/products/good-sleep-herbal-remedy" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://ravencrestbotanicals.com/products/good-sleep-herbal-remedy</a>

Always great for the up-dates..."Is good to have friend that can connect and set-up Riley's check-up"!

Thanks for sharing.

Yes, laughter is the best medicine. Remedy Two; purchase a matchbox collection of small wheeled vehicles from the 1960's. Plenty of good flooring and countertops available. Three; tabletop paper football.

It's not pink! It's lightish red! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX-DrQStNTM" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX-DrQStNTM</a>

Really curious why you don't have a permanent sat phone antenna installation so you don't have to run the cable out the hatch all the time? Or maybe run it out the salon doors and attach on top of the dinghy davits to avoid the rain issues? Looks like you have plenty of length in the cable. Once you head north and start getting in to colder climates letting in freezing rain is going to be a much bigger problem! :)

Your Catamaran looks so comfortable, but it was interesting to hear/see those side swiping waves, reminder that it can get tough out there. I have had insomnia off and on in my many year life. I think it comes and goes with my stress levels. No tablets for me cooling off helps, swimming, cold shower, iced drink.

By now all is known & u have had a good night's sleep - I do hope! U made a fantastic crossing & thank u for having me (& many others who love u) with u along the way. Welcome to warm weather & sleep-filled & restful nights. Riles, take good care of urself. Luv ya!

Not sure I could do without sleep, you'r holding up well Elayna. Good to see Riley is managing to keep active and feel he is going to get good news

SLEEPINGHi Elayna, I would suggest you start taking some Melatonin. This is what we use in surgical training when we tend to have crazy schedules with overnight call shifts and irregular sleeping schedules, or for people flying a lot and dealing with jet lag (which would be very similar to your schedule when sailing). 10mg every night, it's a natural product and not a medication. The only herb tea shown to work for sleeping would be Valerian (Chamomille and Lavender have been shown to be ineffective, more of a common myth). Hope that helps! xx

PS the bikini was tasteful and conservative. We know that most times an average cruiser would be wearing much less. Don’t change who you are for anyone.

Great video guys. Don’t forget that sleep deprivation affects decision making just as much as alcohol. When we do nights we like to have 3 on board - a 2-on-4-off gives you time to get a REM sleep cycle which usually takes 3 to 3.5 hours on average. That way in a 10 hour period you get two cycles which is what you need whenyoung. Don’t forget that sleep requirements diminish with age so your need is greater than some (ok so I’m jealous!)

I love the video when you talk about life. Putting line on a reel. Making something to eat. Not sleeping. Yuk. Someone commented that worries make it hard to sleep. That is so true. Keep living the life guys. The bikini shots are fine. Goodness Riley walks around with no shirt on most of the time? Ha! Ha!

Hi guys, i think buy some sleeping tablets when you get to shore is a good idea, nothing worse then sleep deprivation :( Love your Hair Elayna and stop hurting yourself Riley for gods sake haha I Pray you draw my name out soon to come on your beautiful Cat, I'm so over work lol, Mark (Wol) Perth.

Sitting here unable to sleep in the middle of the night watching Elayna unable to sleep. I understand the feeling. I do hope you are enjoying a good rest in the Caribbean sun and a few Carib beers. I have faith all will be fine with Riley as the hero always bounces back right?

The bikini close ups were fine you guys just keep doing your thing ! Haters gonna hate !

Use it sparingly but girl get some ambien it will knock you out when you need it. The doctors in Antigua should be willing to hook you up with a prescription!

Bet you were so pleased when you saw land and ties up to the quay,sleep deprivation I count sheep and its so annoying ,I just get up go for a walk (Not easy for you ) or watch a film (easier ) and then sleep when Im mentally exhausted but again not easy for you as you have to do your watch and with Riley not 100% you have had more stress and more manual work .Possibly the moral in this if long passages take someone with you to make life easier so opportunity of more sleep .

Good stuff it feels like I'm really there which is not easy to convey.Right Elayna ,insomnia , I have found that worries or problems are the main culprit,something on the mind can go round and around in the head,so if you can fix them in the day that would help,or if you cant until you hit land then just forget them,You could try Camomile tea before bed and in the night if you wake up,peanut butter, small amounts of dark chocolate,bananas also help .avoid watching loud violent films,loud music any music before going to bed foam type ear plugs help a lot ,make sure you have enough exercise to get tired,not easy on boat I know....and meditation,I have been doing TM meditation for 40 years and this releases stress and makes you feel good its very easy to do and enjoyable,its more of a mental technique than a true meditation but its claimed you reach the Absolute Being your true nature within which is blissful,and it is too,so much so you don't want to come out of it....its only 20 mins twice a day,not a religion or cult.check it out.... I have found it so invaluable.... almost forgot, no more than 3 caffeinated drinks in the day, none after 4 PM..love .xx

was kind of surprised by the bikini close ups etc. You guys don't usually do that. You have lots of subscribers and don't need to do that stuff to get more surely. What folks love about you is that you are a nice wholesome couple.

Sorry to hear of the sleep issues, and compounded by worries of the neck situation.

Been a nervous week for me; waiting for you and La Vagabonde to get the 'neck man' to shore and be checked out. Hoping for a good outcome. Glenn from Morley. Perth.

For sleep I use this stuff called "Peaceful Sleep" from Organic India. It says take one but I take 2 or 3.

Did she say that she hasn't seen Star Wars?

Elayna i feel bad u havent slept much. Try 10 mg melatonin WITH lemon balm. It works wonders for me. I dont feel groggy n morning as it is only a supplement not narcotic. Praying for rileys results to b ok. Keep your head up you two. Peace

Be careful, sleep deprivation is rough!

Rad video! Stoked to see you guys in North America! Would love to meet up somewhere!

Hey elayna i have been working through ptsd ( afghanistan 2010), and can relate to the sleep issues, i have been taking nabilone and it really helps me calm down before bed and allows for an easier transition to sleep.

Looking forward to news of your arrival in Antigua, safe travels.

Prayers are with you both!

Great stuff guys! Keep them coming! :) You got a family of four here in Orlando watching every Sunday morning! Best reality tv EVER!

I can certainly empathize with the no sleep problem, my Dad and I used to long distance truck running double and with the truck moving it was virtually impossible to sleep, after a few days your brain feels like mush.... at least we had the option of shutting the truck down once in a while and get a good night, on the water that wouldn't be an option, I think this crossing was about a week shorter than the last time you did it wasn't it?..... how bout hanging a hammock somewhere and using earplugs to help sleep..... might cushion it a bit and drown out the banging

As long as there was more than one person that could navigate then sleep was easy for us, on short handed deliveries I've been awake for 3 days, never 13, thats crazy town stuff. You guys however have a major issue to deal with which makes sleep a rare commodity at the best of times. Hope Riles neck comes good.

Have you tried hooking up a hammock where you can hang and swing? That always worked for me. If I was in a swing and had headphones in I would get amazing sleep. Anywhere else with the slap and I couldn't hardly ever sleep.

Nice work you guys steady going, any safe passage is a good one! Try hypnotherapy Elayna, awesome results for self calming, a higher level of self actuated meditationI!

Good video, not sailed like that but have been sleep deprived many time, so i can empathise with you. Sleep will happen soon it seems. Be really interested to see the scans of your neck. ..... Oh yeah seems that coiled cable was the sat phone (asked about it from your öne day on the Atlantic vid) Seems you might get Outremer to install a fixed (and dry) antenna coupling !! or at least send you a mod to install. Obviously you know already, but all the best.

Sweet

Great vid... crossings are really stressful...geez.

I know you will get to dock and have a good nights sleep soon. Long haul!! Good job both of you!!

Thanks!

Another lovely and real vid. Thanks guys!

First!!!