Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 26-05-2008, 16:06   #1
Registered User

Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3
Mattress

Hi,
I am about to get a boat from my cousin and was wondering what some people had done regarding the sleeping areas in their boats. It's a 23.5 foot sloop and the sleeping area below is (obviously) shaped like the front of the boat. My girlfriend had offered to do some sewing for some mattresses to fit the space once i measured it out. are there any recommendations for foams and the fabrics to cover them that are mildew resistant and water-proof/resistant (cheap would be nice too). I'm really new at this and would really appreciate any suggestions you may have for me. and if this has been addressed already, please consider me a newbie and help me get to the right thread please :P.
thanks,
mike
Khamles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-05-2008, 19:26   #2
Moderator Emeritus
 
Pblais's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hayes, VA
Boat: Gozzard 36
Posts: 8,700
Images: 15
Send a message via Skype™ to Pblais
The things to consider would be:

Fabric must be marine compatible. That means no natural fibers what so ever. They all mold or mildew in short order. You can do a lot with a mattress but it needs to breath. The best mattress I have found is a multiple layer of foam materials about 5 to 7 inches. The bottom layer being a firm foam and the top a memory foam. The other is to get in touch with marine mattress vendor that can make an inner spring mattress to fit.

For mattress covers the price can be significant but one material that can be cheaper is anything that is 100% Olefin. It won't absorb water in the fiber. Marine fabrics usually have a anti mildew treatment that makes a difference. Just be sure you avoid all fabrics that have wool or cotton as a component. If you think fuel prices are high foam prices have done even more increases. I have not tracked it recently but it had already shot up one and a half years ago when we redid ours.

You do not want a waterproof material. You will wake up feeling like you wet the bed. Bedding needs to breath to feel comfortable. To test it out lay a sheet of plastic under a bed sheet and go to bed. You'll be able to tell soon how it feels.
__________________
Paul Blais
s/v Bright Eyes Gozzard 36
37 15.7 N 76 28.9 W
Pblais is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-05-2008, 21:33   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
David M's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Boat: Research vessel for a university, retired now.
Posts: 10,406
Go buy some fabric from a canvas maker who makes cushions for boats. That's exactly what you need.
__________________
David

Life begins where land ends.
David M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-05-2008, 03:01   #4
Senior Cruiser
 
GordMay's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,143
Images: 241
See mattress ventilation products, such as:
DRY-Mat: Anti-Moisture Mattress Ventilation Layer anti moisture anti condensation mattress ventilation dry mat
DryMesh: Marine Bedding - DryMesh
etc ...
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"



GordMay is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 27-05-2008, 04:41   #5
Moderator Emeritus
 
Ex-Calif's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ohio
Boat: Now boatless :-(
Posts: 11,580
Images: 4
We looked at several materials for our small boat. We ended up with a nice blue fabric designed for garden furniture cushions. It is fabric, scotch-guarded but not quite sunbrella - we opted for this because we regularly have kids aboard and we are reularly wet below decks.

For the foam we opted for a higher density single layer foam of 2 inches - it is basically water proof stuff, black and looks to be made from a "rubberized" foam rather than the stuff you see sponges made from. Given the choice to do it again we would have opted for 3 inches as it's not as "giving" as we'd like for sleeping comfort.

The previous cushions were a nicer fabric type material and had zippers sewn in to remove the covers for cleaning. The reason we have new cushions is because we removed said covers for washing and they shrank - LOL

We opted for no zips on our new cushions. So far (6 months) they are wearing well and look like new. I have slept on them many times but not near as often as the kids who tend to sleep at some point during every sail. Throw down a sleeping bag and the thinner foam is not an issue.

We had them made by a cushion guy as there is the curve of the hull as well as the angle the hull makes on the vertical and we didn't want to have to mess with it.

The guy was a pro and made templates for the 3-piece v-berth cushions, one 6 foot 2-piece port berth, one 12 foot 3-piece starboard set that extends back through the quarter berth.

So all up 5-berths were done at a cost of around US$800
__________________
Relax Lah! is SOLD! <--- Click
Click--> Custom CF Google Search or CF Rules
You're gonna need a bigger boat... - Martin Brody
Ex-Calif is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-05-2008, 05:48   #6
Senior Cruiser
 
GordMay's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,143
Images: 241
A popular subject, this.
See also, some of the many previous discussions at:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ces-12533.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...erth-3291.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...rgh-12865.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ress-1317.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...rial-9495.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ress-3039.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ress-6922.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ions-1480.html
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"



GordMay is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 27-05-2008, 20:01   #7
Registered User

Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3
Thank you to all of you, I now have a lot of good information to think about. Thanks especially to GordMay for the links to the related topics.
mike
Khamles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-05-2008, 20:03   #8
Registered User
 
windsaloft's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SF Bay area at present
Boat: Mason 33 and a Nordic Folkboat (wooden)
Posts: 172
We've gone to the Froli Sleep system to make our mattresses in the V-Berth more comfy, as well as get good circulation. Pretty amazing, really:
Froli Sleep Systems by Nickle Atlantic, LLC
__________________
When is the last time you tried something for the first time?
windsaloft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-05-2008, 08:06   #9
Registered User
 
scotte's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, CA, USA
Boat: Privilege 39
Posts: 664
Quote:
Originally Posted by windsaloft View Post
We've gone to the Froli Sleep system to make our mattresses in the V-Berth more comfy, as well as get good circulation. Pretty amazing, really:
Froli Sleep Systems by Nickle Atlantic, LLC
We saw this at the boat show but were a bit dubious about it. So it works as advertised?
scotte is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-05-2008, 02:21   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Oz
Boat: Jarcat 5, 5m, Mandy
Posts: 419
What ever happened to hammocks for the ratings? For the tropics they are hard to beat.
I used to like sleeping on the trampoline under a mosquito net under the stars-
Robert
Robertcateran is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-05-2008, 14:15   #11
Registered User
 
windsaloft's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SF Bay area at present
Boat: Mason 33 and a Nordic Folkboat (wooden)
Posts: 172
The Froli actually *really* works as advertised! We have both been stunned at the increase in comfort (we have the standard 2" cloth covered foam v-berth cushions that just hurt to sleep on). With the Froli installed, we gained 1.5" in height in the mattress, all of which is free air flow. The damp musty world between the mattress and the wood that I'd feel in the morning is gone. The comfort is truly fantastic. I am a mattress snob --- in my land world, I swear by tempurpedic, and we were going to spend the $$ on that, but could not figure out how to get good ventilation so the foam wouldn't set against the wood and trap moisture. I'm totally sold on the Froli system, and was very very dubious at first. My other half came home with it from the boat show, (note: it comes with a fully money back guarantee if you don't like it!!!!) and said, "let's just try it before we spend lots of money on a mattress." I don't feel a need to change out the cushions now.

It was an all around win: She was right, I don't have to spend $$ on a fancy mattress, the moisture issue is solved, and it is a very comfy bed now. Can't ask for more.

Scotte - if you come to the China Camp gathering, come aboard and try it out / see it in action!
__________________
When is the last time you tried something for the first time?
windsaloft is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mattress Material in the V-Berth pjfsail Families, Kids and Pets Afloat 19 21-06-2010 14:37
What is under your mattress? Lynx Construction, Maintenance & Refit 12 13-08-2007 14:08
Mattress cover material Red Charlotte Liveaboard's Forum 6 06-08-2007 11:00
Removable mattress NoTies Liveaboard's Forum 21 07-06-2006 20:36
New Mattress Harriet General Sailing Forum 10 07-12-2004 04:46

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:22.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.