Show Me Your V-Berth

[bluewater]

That 8" memory foam mattress looks heavenly, but I've never seen a v-berth without essential storage underneath!

Shoot no photo at the moment, but we each have our own personal storage along the full height (such as it is) of our respective sides of the bed. Not sure what your vee looks like or even if this is an option, space-wise (we are 36'). But if you're reconstructing the entire space, consider building long skinny lockers along the hull. Imagine a plywood vertical with doors in it. Even just 6" deep holds a LOT of clothing. Ours have rattan doors for airflow. If this even sounds like an option, let me know and I'll dig up a photo. Good luck!

[sailvayu]

Here is the improvements I made


I added the upper side storage under the deck on each side with the oval doors to match the existing cabinet doors. The fill board and cushion are on a bracket step up for easy removal. Although it looks close to your feet I almost never hit it. The TV is a small under counter unit made to install under a kitchen cabinet the screen folds up when not in use. I also installed led overhead lights in several locations. Good lighting helps the place look less like a cave. Hope 1 or 2 of these ideas will help

[senormechanico]

That looks a little like ours, but with headroom.

[LauderBoy]

Originally Posted by bluewater

That 8" memory foam mattress looks heavenly, but I've never seen a v-berth without essential storage underneath!

Yeah, the front part of the v-berth is a 40 gallon water take. The sides have storage but I don't access them often. So it's not a big deal to lift up the mattress to get at them.

[S/V Alchemy]

Said the skipper to the actress?

[justjohn]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

Said the skipper to the actress?

ROFL ...

[capeshore]

Just redid the blue trim pieces, they were the ugly big cushion color...$12 fabric and a sore wrist from stapling sometimes just little improvements like this, bedding,pillows really make the space.

[Hudson Force]

We use a firm 6" foam with a far thinner memory foam top layer....

[Gelfling]

Excellent ideas by all?

For those that upgraded to memory foam.... is it assumed that there is not storage under these v-births? It is everything for me to dig in my stowage with the flimsy 2 in standard foam that is in it...and these are separated in the middle!

[Hudson Force]

Our V-Berth cushions are split to form two halves on the center line. From the aft each side has a drawer beneath and stowage under the removable drawer as well as three lift boards to reach compartment under each of the three corners of the berth. A center trapezoid panel lifts to reveal a 30 gallon holding tank and a surplus 10 gallon water tank. The drawers and stowage beneath do not require moving the cushions for access and the other areas are very infrequently accessed and used for lighter spare parts and materials. The one forward nearest the chain locker remains empty.

[Gelfling]

Ah ha! Unfortunately (or fortunately with two kids!) I have lots of storage under the v-berth. Most if it is stuff that doesn't need to be gotten to everyday, but with that much room something can always be put there. I do like the memory foam idea, but though I am not old....I am not young enough to lift up full sheets or memory foam to retrieve something....especially while at sea!

I agree with Capeshore, the smallest of changes will make a big difference in a boat. The interior of boats are only so big...so the little changes don't get 'lost'. I added denim through pillows and it make the cabin look like a whole other boat!

[CaptainTurtles]

Here's some pictures I just took of our v-birth. It's just the "storage place" right now, I'll actually be tackling it this afternoon so I should have taken pictures of it later today!



We bake our own bread so all the containers there are for baking, flour, powdered milk etc. A friend of ours was staying over quite often so, we just left the sleeping bag out for him for when he showed up!



Toolbox with our bits and bobs. Printer, cable box, Playstation 3 and the surround sound box blueray thingy.

[Red Charlotte]

Here's a photo of our v-berth when it is all done up and pretty:



I explained how I did the custom sheets and blankets in the posts below. We use plastic storage bins on top of the built-in shelving too.

Rebel Heart - Sailing, cruising, liveaboard blog and website - Charlotte's Blog - Handmade V-berth*Sheets

Rebel Heart - Sailing, cruising, liveaboard blog and website - Charlotte's Blog - Custom-fit Covers (top sheets/blankets) for the V-berth*Tutorial

[capeshore]

Originally Posted by CaptainTurtles

love the built in with the tool case,saves wasting the few boat drawers with "stuff" tools etc...great idea and nice way of keeping them drawers closed too !

[CaptainTurtles]

Originally Posted by capeshore

love the built in with the tool case,saves wasting the few boat drawers with "stuff" tools etc...great idea and nice way of keeping them drawers closed too !

Thanks! Man it's just so convenient, last time we were out (just a short day trip on the motor) a hose blew and knowing you can just open a draw to get everything you need, fix it within five minutes then put everything away, it's great! And actually, the second draw has a big tray thing, so we sit on the bunk and pull out the second draw to use as a desk, safe for soldering on and doing odd jobs, and then all the tools are right infront, sooo convenient!