Why Not Regular Mattresses?

[Scubaseas]

Originally Posted by Captain Anthony

Following , can anyone post a link to that Good Old Boat story mentioned by Phantom Jim?

https://goodoldboat.com/sailboat-vberth-mattress/


Regarding ventilation, 'roof ridge vent material' from Lowe's/Home Depot can be had for a lot less than "marine" HDPE materials.

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

Slightly off topic but your mattress and you will be wet if you install the hatch directly over the berth and sail anywhere cooler because of condensation.



Forget and leave it open when it rains you will also have a wet berth.

we have a hatch directly over our bed, which is great for ventilation...plus it is over the owners side so she is the one to get rained on...

cheers,

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Cadence

I can recall as a kid, 4" real latex foam, which I believe is damn near impossible to get in a stock mattress, was very comfortable right on plywood.

Hey, that is what I have in my berth, not cheap but very comfortable.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by chrisr

we have a hatch directly over our bed, which is great for ventilation...plus it is over the owners side so she is the one to get rained on...

cheers,

Ha ha ha!

Whenever I have bought a used boat, the first thing I fix is that leaky hatch over the wife or girlfriend‘s pillow.

I will probably install this hatch over the birth. I don’t tend to forget them. We close up tight when we leave the boat.

TO me, the ability to have wind blowing on me while I am sleeping in a hot location trumps the wet mattress risk.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Scubaseas

https://goodoldboat.com/sailboat-vberth-mattress/


Regarding ventilation, 'roof ridge vent material' from Lowe's/Home Depot can be had for a lot less than "marine" HDPE materials.

That’s a good tip. Basically that’s what I’m thinking. Off the shelf stuff that’s non-marine. The whole theme of this boat. Unless of course, marine is absolutely necessary.

[coriobay]

We went with a queen size matress in a box, 345 high innerspring, euro top for $300.00 aud from the interweb, turned out better than the $3000 one we have in our home,
No issue getting it in the boat, just cut open the vacuum plastic bag when inside the cabin, 10 mins later all good to go

[Sea Wolf]

Boats tend to have moisture and dampness. Whether you use foam or a mattress, the heat of your body will produce moisture where the mattress meets the platform. After a lot of research, I found hypervent, which is a thick thread like polymer that allows air circulation between the mattress and the platform. We installed it with the polymer (not the backing) against the Foam mattress and that ended the moisture problem. I don’t see why it wouldn’t have the same result with a standard mattress. It’s not cheap, but well worth the money. https://www.hyperventonline.com

[JimmyDarci]

Buy a Moisture Proof “hypoallergenic mattress cover” for boat mattress. Mattress slides into the cover and forms a moisture resistant barrier. Acts like a big ziplock bag for the mattress and prolongs the life. Otherwise the bottom side of mattress is prone to mildew. Also lift mattress off the base in off season to allow for extra airflow.

[dpreacher]

I have found box "springs" that weren't sprung, just solid boxes.

[Amapola]

We have foam Tempurpedic mattresses at home and on the boat.

[Carlos Molinelli]

Originally Posted by Chotu

You are up early, my friend!

Thanks for the confirmation that a standard mattress can be used.

I stand corrected by my girlfriend. It’s also exciting to find another area where a standard, off the shelf item can replace the usual way of doing things on a boat. This keeps labor and costs down, while making a future replacement easy.

Be sure that the internal springs do not rust with salt water humidity. Furthermore, compare their weight and think if you want to increase the boat displacement with many heavy equipment. The boat will sail better if weight is well below, not on top of the berths.

[AuroraGH]

Originally Posted by Chotu

I thought there was a “box spring” which goes below a mattress on a standard land bed, then a mattress that goes on top of that.

Box springs haven't been a thing for over 20 years. Now, it is just a wooden box covered in matching ticking. The only reason to have one is to raise the mattress to a "normal" height. European style beds have done away with this a long time ago (if they ever used it) and now they use curved slats with a bit of spring to them. Lets the mattress breathe better.

As to foam vs "a mattress", it is worth noting that the mattress industry has moved aggressively to layered foam construction as you can see in the mail order mattress industry (Casper, Leesa, Purple...), and now the "mattress in a box" offerings which come in a vacuum sealed bag and boxed under great pressure. You just cut the straps and the bag to let the air in - and be sure to stand back!

There is a foam mattress company in San Diego called Mattress Makers that produces a line of custom foam construction mattresses that will also come out to measure custom build you a mattress for your boat in any shape. They are not cheap but our V-berth mattress, which is 4" and build with a center "hinge" to allow folding, is more comfortable than our mattress at home.

Layered foam construction is the future for mattresses.

[AuroraGH]

Originally Posted by Perfect Ride

Another vote for the hypervent: HyperVent Marine - Product Information
Excellent results for us under many types of mattresses over the years.

And one more. Boat sleeps nice and dry.

[gregfreed]

I’ve got a Firm Memory Foam mattress in my V Berth, cut perfectly to size with an electric carving knife, easy, and remarkably comfortable.

[skyrise]

After asking the sailmaker/ seamstress in our local yard to make one for over a year, she gave me her secrets..

Ikea!! Thinking this was a little mad I then asked a few more people and it turns out for internal mattresses this is what people use.

Go down to Ikea find one that is comfortable, buy it and make it fit.. Best nights sleep in ages..