Musty Mattress Condensation

[cameron forsyth]

With present cooler nights warm days suffering with water condensation accumulating between the mattress and the boards over the engine irrespective if engine was run or not. This leads to a dirty old musty sheet smell. Some years ago at the boat show">Miami boat show one of the stalls had a plastic sort of spring jigsaw, that if I remember right addressed the problem of ventilating under the mattress Recommendations comments please.

[Overlord]

we just bought "drybunk" from west marine.It is a roll of special type fabric.

[rebel heart]

My wife makes cushions and uses "fifertex" (spelling?) on the bottoms of them (rather than vinyl or regular canvas) when she can. We've drilled some holes in our hatch covers as well (that the cushions sit on). Our v berth boards look like someone used them for target practice for a few years. One part airs at the cushion, and the other lets the moisture go somewhere.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

My wife makes cushions and uses "fifertex" (spelling?) on the bottoms of them (rather than vinyl or regular canvas) when she can. We've drilled some holes in our hatch covers as well (that the cushions sit on). Our v berth boards look like someone used them for target practice for a few years. One part airs at the cushion, and the other lets the moisture go somewhere.

Yes, Phifertex. Widely available. Textilene is another option. We made all cockpit and pilothouse cushions with this material only.

ciao!
Nick.

[Cheechako]

we did a couple of boats using DriDek interlocking squares under the mattress, also hole sawed holes in the storage lids under the mattress, then louvered ventilation in the face of the cabinetry. Adding a 4" chassis fan behind the louvered vent would be even better. before that it got soaking wet under there..

[cat man do]

Anyone tried HyperVent ?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

we did a couple of boats using DriDek interlocking squares under the mattress, also hole sawed holes in the storage lids under the mattress, then louvered ventilation in the face of the cabinetry. Adding a 4" chassis fan behind the louvered vent would be even better. before that it got soaking wet under there..

DriDek good plan.

We actually use these in fridges and freezers! Also in gas locker under the propane bottles.

ciao!
Nick.

[Cheechako]

I think the key is that the moisture is going to be in there somewhere..... you need a plan to get it out..... not just make it less obvious...

[s/v Jedi]

We got good success with both spring-mattress and open cell foam mattress from Sailrite, called everdry or something. Some people might find that everdry foam too hard to sleep on, in hich case you can laminate a softer foam on top. This works much like the stuff linked by Catmando.

Cheers,
Nick.

[Doodles]

We've used the Froli Sleep Systems by Nickle Atlantic, LLC in our last two boats and been very pleased. No condensation whatsoever.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Anyone tried HyperVent ?

We put it in last summer.
We were amazed, even in a V berth with only the middle third of the aft end for ventilation, it ended that clammy feeling very quickly.
We highly recommend it.
Further, it's much lighter weight than DriDek, important on a multi.

[psk125]

Originally Posted by Doodles

We've used the Froli Sleep Systems by Nickle Atlantic, LLC in our last two boats and been very pleased. No condensation whatsoever.

+1
We put in the Froli plastic springs two seasons ago. Beyond avoiding condensation, we've been pleased with the comfort they add to sleeping on the foam cushions.

[webejammin]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Anyone tried HyperVent ?

We installed some on our queen bed that's over our bridge deck (and cold) last year and love it. The moisture still collects under the mattress under the almost 3/4 inch Hypervent, only in the winter time but we put a support under the mattress leaving the hypervent exposed and set up a heater w/fan and in a couple of hours it dryes completely with no mold on anything and our flannel sheets are not damp. We have to vent the moisture every couple of winter days when the night temps are in the 20's and when we cook pasta .
I think it really works keeping our mattress and bedding dry and plan on buying some more for the 2 double beds we have in our aft staterooms

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by psk125

+1
We put in the Froli plastic springs two seasons ago. Beyond avoiding condensation, we've been pleased with the comfort they add to sleeping on the foam cushions.

Just googled these; never heard of them before. We bought some new foam maybe two years ago, and it's pretty smashed down on the parts we sleep on. Any way to get maybe a thinner top (that can't get smashed so easy) and use those springs?

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Just googled these; never heard of them before. We bought some new foam maybe two years ago, and it's pretty smashed down on the parts we sleep on. Any way to get maybe a thinner top (that can't get smashed so easy) and use those springs?

Rebel, we bought this system in Annapolis this year and it works well even with your average cushions (3-4"? I haven't measured them). In fact I think they perform better with a stiffer mattress/cushion but I also like to sleep on a firm surface. Email Nickle Atlantic they are quite helpful. Overall I highly recommend the Frohli system which replaced DriDeck. SC