High double berth vs short people

[billr]

Maybe you have solved this problem. The double berth is high, and the wife is short. Sliding off the double berth in the middle of the night is easy, but getting back up on it is currently an exercise in gymnastics. The obvious suggestions (stool, bench, folding foot pegs, etc) don't seem to fit very well at the moment. The ceiling is high (Skookum 53), which complicates the concept of overhead handholds. If this sounds like your boat, let me know what you did. Thanks.
Billr

[Stu Jackson]

Any kind of plastic step stool. They make small Rubbermaid ones, or plastic ones that fold.

[lonesoldier0408]

Mast chair/seat, a little rope, three to four pulleys and up we go.! 😁


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[JPA Cate]

bill,j

Some form of folding out or down steps should do. I can understand that you might not like mast steps for the purpose. Think in terms of timber that blends with the interior, or contrasts. Probably two steps should do it, but ask her how many it would take to make it easy. Consider setting in a couple small strips of unfinished teak (for non-skid). If you're like me and a wood project seems like a splinter project, maybe you could have a cabinet maker make you up something to your design.

Ann

[sapient sue]

Billr

If you have room to make a box step with lid, it would solve the lack of height problem but also give more storage. I guess it depends on the configuration of your V berth.

Sue

[Roy M]

The queen-size double berth on a Searunner is located above the underwing, so it's a challenge to get into, except for the companionway ladder adjacent to it. Why not build a low stair onto it?

[billr]

All, thanks for the suggestions. I think I will use a combination. At the end of the berth, I could put in a 1-step mini-stair with storage underneath. That would go in the corner between the bulkhead and the berth. On the mid-point support structure of the berth, I could put in a minimal and very rounded step such as Ann suggested. it would be higher up than the mini-stair. The two provide essentially two footholds for climbing up to the level of the berth. The rim around the berth provides the handhold.
I did get a good laugh out of the block & tackle idea.
Bill

[Island Time O25]

We solved the problem of "too high and not really comfortable to get in and out v-berth". We use the extendable double berth in the main cabin. And we let the guests polish their acrobatics skills up front. Fortunately our head set up allows for privacy from both ends.

[mcarling]

The best solution is more time in the gym.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Don't forget to pad the underside of the coachroof...

[Rohan]

Doesn't that boat have an owner's cabin? Why are you making your wife use the double berth??

[billr]

Rohan,
It was built as a commercial fishing boat, and kind of basic.
bill

[Greenhand]

We built a step all the way across the aft end of the berth. It is just enough for me to get a knee up on the berth, but not so high that hubby hits his head. Well, at least as long as he remembers to propel himself forward, rather than upward.