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22-12-2014, 13:49
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Keystone CO
Boat: 50 Bene
Posts: 254
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Moisture under the Mattress!
i have read about people having moisture accumulate under the mattresses while living aboard during the cooler times of year. Never seen it but lo and behold there it is. Any easy remedies? Was thinking of some plastic doohickeys we saw at the boat show that allow for ventilation as well as more spring in the mattress. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance
__________________
Money can't buy happiness, but you can buy a boat and it's pretty much the same thing......
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22-12-2014, 14:06
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Elsewhere on the Water
Posts: 579
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
It is likely condensation of warmer high humidity against a cold surface just like windows sweating. Apply some heat under it to warm the surface, if possible.
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22-12-2014, 14:19
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Arctic Ocean
Boat: Under construction 35' ketch (and +3 smaller)
Posts: 2,731
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
Make a tube berth instead of mattresses. It's the moisture you are sweating all the time condensating under the mattress.
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22-12-2014, 14:22
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oro Bay Puget Sound
Boat: Irwin sloop
Posts: 407
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
The only practical solution is ventilation. We have used 1/2" square cross section battens across the surface the mattress lays on till a matt made of material much like Scotch Bright pads was made available and it works very well. I can't recall the name though.
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22-12-2014, 14:31
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Winnipeg
Boat: None at this time
Posts: 8,462
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
Look down at the bottom of this page for links to more threads on the subject.
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22-12-2014, 16:01
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Hingham, MA
Boat: Catalina 310
Posts: 637
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
Yup. We added ventilation in the form of these Greatmat StayLock mats. Similar to the drideck from West Marine but half the price.
We also put up some insulation. The silver foil bubble wrap stuff.
Good luck and fair winds,
Jesse
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22-12-2014, 16:18
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Martinique
Boat: Fortuna Island Spirit 40
Posts: 2,298
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
Hhhmm we haven't tried it yet.. but have had a couple cruisers swear by Ikea slats. Cheap and you just cut to the size you want..
SULTAN LADE Slatted bed base - IKEA
They have a couple of new systems that might work better, but would take more modification.
LÖNSET Slatted bed base - King - IKEA
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22-12-2014, 16:32
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: San Francisco
Boat: Hudson 50
Posts: 111
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
If you have a 110v power source, you might want to install a de-humidifier for the cooler months when there is lots of condensation on a boat. We've used one the last couple of winters and it really helps to keep the boat dry.
I just put a portable 30 pint unit in the head and run the hose to the shower drain. Helps out with any mildew problems as well.
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22-12-2014, 16:33
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,453
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
You need ventilation and airspace. The Dri Dek linking square tiles are pretty good but have gotten more expensive. I have gone as far as those, holes in all the under berth lids and a small computer fan too boot to really get rid of it before.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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22-12-2014, 17:07
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Boat: Columbia 41
Posts: 522
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
This is not uncommon and is easily cured. The basic issue is you. When you are in bed your weight compresses the foam mattress. This reduces the insulation value of the foam. Your skin is not air tight. Moisture passes through your skin as you sleep and condenses on the cold surface below you. You need more insulation and a vapor barrier to stop moisture migration. Buy a 3 inch piece of foam and trim it to match your mattress. Place a sheet of 6mil poly between your matress and the lower foam sheet. Your problem will be cured.
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22-12-2014, 17:34
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Toronto Canada
Boat: Bristol 45.5
Posts: 848
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
I have tried all sorts of ventilation even to the point of using small computer fans , nothing worked. I put my hot water heater in the cabinet space under the buck which warmed the area slightly . Problem solved , 0 moisture .
Regards
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22-12-2014, 17:45
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Charleston, SC
Boat: Camano Troll
Posts: 5,176
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
Defender sells a product that can be cut to fit under the mattress to allow ventilation. As I recall it's about three feet wide and sold by the running foot. You can join lengths to make it as wide as necessary.
__________________
Ron
HIGH COTTON
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22-12-2014, 18:05
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,604
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
I made these to go under our settees. When not underway we place them athwartship to make a nice queen sized berth. The holes do a pretty good job providing ventilation.
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22-12-2014, 18:07
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,604
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
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22-12-2014, 18:20
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#15
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, cruising in Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 28,400
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Re: Moisture under the mattress?!?
We use a 1/4" sheet of closed cell foam bonded to the bottoms of the mattresses. Works well.
Prior to that, used Chinese sea grass door mats [we bought 8 at about $2 apiece], loosely tied together, which also worked, but Jim didn't like their smell.
Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
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