Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

[sailorchic34]

My latest shoestring adventure revolved around finding something to put between the water tank at the pointy end of the v-berth and the mattress. Not an issue in summer. But condensation in winter caused the top of the tank to always be wet.

I looked at Armaflex insulation and Dri-Dek® 1'x1' Interlocking tiles, but both were over $144 to do the area over the tank. As that exceeds my current savings, it was just not going to fly. Not at all.

But then I remembered about something I saw in the 99 cent store. I found a set of 10 1x1 foot interlocking tiles for $2 per set. They are closed cell foam and come in an assortment of Bright primary colors (see photo below).

As they will be below the mattress and appear to be made of similar material to the dri-dek pads, it should work pretty good. Added bonus is it doubles as toys for toddlers or very very bored sailors.

They would also work as foam inside a sunbrella cockpit cushions. The price is right anyway. So while the Folks with big bucks might buy Dry Dek or something similar, Poor sailors need to think a bit more out of the box.

So for a grand total of $4, a $140 savings over marine Dry Dek pads, I'm feeling pretty pleased. I now have a foam rubber mat that will keep the mattress away from the tank. The rubber mat should also keep condensate down a bit.

I still wear flip flops, even in winter. Though my monthly budget is now about $750 what with inflation and all. Though $120 of that is costs for software (Autocad) and internet so I can earn $$ from the boat.

[sailorcherry]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

My latest shoestring adventure revolved around finding something to put between the water tank at the pointy end of the v-berth and the mattress. Not an issue in summer. But condensation in winter caused the top of the tank to always be wet.

I looked at Armaflex insulation and Dri-Dek® 1'x1' Interlocking tiles, but both were over $144 to do the area over the tank. As that exceeds my current savings, it was just not going to fly. Not at all.

But then I remembered about something I saw in the 99 cent store. I found a set of 10 1x1 foot interlocking tiles for $2 per set. They are closed cell foam and come in an assortment of Bright primary colors (see photo below).

As they will be below the mattress and appear to be made of similar material to the dri-dek pads, it should work pretty good. Added bonus is it doubles as toys for toddlers or very very bored sailors.

They would also work as foam inside a sunbrella cockpit cushions. The price is right anyway. So while the Folks with big bucks might buy Dry Dek or something similar, Poor sailors need to think a bit more out of the box.

So for a grand total of $4, a $140 savings over marine Dry Dek pads, I'm feeling pretty pleased. I now have a foam rubber mat that will keep the mattress away from the tank. The rubber mat should also keep condensate down a bit.

I still wear flip flops, even in winter. Though my monthly budget is now about $750 what with inflation and all. Though $120 of that is costs for software (Autocad) and internet so I can earn $$ from the boat.

Great job! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to try this. Mind if I asked what dollar store location has it?
In the delta right now.

[sparrowhawk1]

Great idea Sailorchic. And at that price you could add several layers to make a berth more comfortable.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

......................
...................
But then I remembered about something I saw in the 99 cent store. I found a set of 10 1x1 foot interlocking tiles for $2 per set. They are closed cell foam and come in an assortment of Bright primary colors (see photo below).

...............................

What a great idea! I've seen these on the floor in children's rooms and at child day care facilities, but never thought of their potential as a condensation barrier on the boat. Nancie has put this on our shopping list!

[Sea Dreaming]

This is a great idea. But be cautious and monitor the effects. The po of our boat used closed cell foam as locker liners (camp pads). Anywhere the foam was used was / is (because we haven't been at the boat to take care of it) full of black mold! I won't say "don't do it" because we don't know if they were using the foam to hide the mold or if the foam caused the mold.

[Tayana42]

SailorChick, good find! I used tiles like yours to cover the air floor in my last dinghy. Inexpensive, colorful and easy to cut to shape. They lasted well. They did absorb dirt easily but that was out in the sun and under dirty shoes. They don't breathe so I'm not sure what effect they will have under your mattress. Perhaps some diy perforations would be worth considering?

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

My latest shoestring adventure revolved around finding something to put between the water tank at the pointy end of the v-berth and the mattress. Not an issue in summer. But condensation in winter caused the top of the tank to always be wet.

I looked at Armaflex insulation and Dri-Dek® 1'x1' Interlocking tiles, but both were over $144 to do the area over the tank. As that exceeds my current savings, it was just not going to fly. Not at all.

But then I remembered about something I saw in the 99 cent store. I found a set of 10 1x1 foot interlocking tiles for $2 per set. They are closed cell foam and come in an assortment of Bright primary colors (see photo below).

As they will be below the mattress and appear to be made of similar material to the dri-dek pads, it should work pretty good. Added bonus is it doubles as toys for toddlers or very very bored sailors.

They would also work as foam inside a sunbrella cockpit cushions. The price is right anyway. So while the Folks with big bucks might buy Dry Dek or something similar, Poor sailors need to think a bit more out of the box.

So for a grand total of $4, a $140 savings over marine Dry Dek pads, I'm feeling pretty pleased. I now have a foam rubber mat that will keep the mattress away from the tank. The rubber mat should also keep condensate down a bit.

I still wear flip flops, even in winter. Though my monthly budget is now about $750 what with inflation and all. Though $120 of that is costs for software (Autocad) and internet so I can earn $$ from the boat.

Hmmm...Can you say cockpit cushions? Do they have any more?

[Blue Crab]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Grey-Anti-F...-21-in/3111467

These come in colors, as well.

[Celestialsailor]

Or how cool would these be for cockpit cushions...

[Mike OReilly]

Great idea SC. Our fancy Bottomsider cockpit cushions are coming to the end of their lives. No way can I afford to replace them (came with the boat). But maybe I can make some new ones using these pads when the time comes.

Thanks .

[sailorcherry]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Grey-Anti-F...-21-in/3111467

These come in colors, as well.

Thanks. I wonder if using the door mat here would be better? More of a grate. For ventilation?
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-Bla...-36-in/3377248

[Blue Crab]

I think you're correct.

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by sailorcherry

Great job! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to try this. Mind if I asked what dollar store location has it?
In the delta right now.

I found it in a 99 cent store up in the north bay. But Antioch has a 99 cent store so they should have it too. I generally do some of my grocery shopping at the 99 cent stores as they have good prices on some things and have a fair selection of groceries. Lettuce, bell peppers, canned meats, bread, pasta, etc. It's not good for everything but I can save 25 to 50 percent on many food items they do carry, compared to a "bargain" grocery store.

BTW Winco in pittsburg has GREAT prices on grocery's, if one shops carefully. It is by far my favorite one stop shop for grocery in the SF Bay area.

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by sailorcherry

Thanks. I wonder if using the door mat here would be better? More of a grate. For ventilation?
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-Bla...-36-in/3377248

My thought was to have a vapor barrier, using the pads that also add a bit of insulation which might help keep condensate from forming on the top of the tank. I'm more concerned with keeping any moisture away from the 8" foam mattress that has a delightful way of wicking up moisture in winter. Not to mention that oh so not delightful odur de jour.

[Travelnik]

If you don't want the multi-colored ones, or if you can't find those locally, Harbor Freight has a 4 pack of 2'x2' interlocking industrial type floor mats for $6.99, but they go on sale a lot for $4.99. They're closed cell foam, and quite durable.