Advice on upholstery please (TCM?)

[Observer]

I am thinking about replacing the mattresses on my boat. The existing ones are foam which, as I've seen noted by TCM in particular, are damned uncomfortable to sleep on. I wouldn't want to run to sprung mattresses on grounds of cost and OTT in general (too many kids climbing all over etc).

How about mattresses filled with the (is it) "hollow fibre fill" which is used for sofa cushions? Any experience and recommendations on where to buy?

I would need 2 x rectangular approx. 2m x 1.5m and the typical vee berth layout with the removable infill which goes over the table. Plus seat backs for the latter.

 

[tcm]

how about
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kentwebnet.com/specialist-beds/index.htm>http://www.kentwebnet.com/specialist-beds/index.htm</A>
who make custom mattresses dead cheap?

dunno about hollow fibre fill. Try putting in to google?

 

[jfm]

Re: Not hollow fibre....

I think the hollowfibre fill would lose its shape. It doesn't have a shape of its own, its just a fibre that comes loose, like a big bag of candy floss. A mattress needs structure and a fixed shape. Especially if..... never mind. The hollowfibre relies on the fabric "casing" to hold it in the right shape. Its ok on a sofa because if it all gets displaced you whack the cushion around a bit. But mattress too big for that. So you need sprung, which is all linked together with wire and string then a casing, or foam which has a fixed shape. imho

A good compromise with foam costwise is to get the sandwich variety, where they glue layers, maybe a layer of dunlopillo and some layers of ordinary foam etc etc. There are loads of trade non-marine suppliers, so suggest that will be cheapest source?

 

[dog]

Hi Tim,

Cant be much help on the matress I'm affraid- just wondered what sort of Nimbus you have? My dads just bought a 2600 aft cabin, I know he'd be interested if you had any more info on this marque.

Cheers, Dog

 

[wakeup]

Ikea do made to measure mattresses, very comfy nm.

.

I just can't be arsed...

 

[BarryH]

What you need is a 2 layer thing. I make'em all the time. Go to your nearest foam supplier. Look at the sheets he has in stock. Discard all the closed cell stuff, it too hard. What your looking for is the multigrained coloured stuff. About 3 to 4 inches think. Quiet firm that. Then look at the blue or yellow coloured stuff. Your gonna need the blue one thats about 3 inches thick. Thats the soft'ish one. Hard stuff underneath, soft stuff on top. Glue them together. Then nick the wifes bread knife, or if your like me, you'll have a hot wire cutter, cut the hape out that you need.

When you make the covers, make sure that thay fit snug, use a fabric that breath's, that way you wont wake up all wet and sticky, good if your with a woman, bummer if your by yourself.

Theres a mesh backing fabric that you can get so the thing wont hold damp sweaty air and cause them to go all smelly and mildewey.

 

[Observer]

Barry,

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure if I've got time to be as handy as all that! However, your idea seems just right. I've spoken to the people on the site TCM recommended and they will do the job for me (not the covers, just the mattress) as you described.

They also suggested a hard foam round the perimeter (where people sit, when it's not being used as mattress) with softer stuff in the middle.

I was thinking of having the mattress cover in vinyl for wipe clean properties with fabric removable/washable covers. Do you think the mesh bottom is still advisable? For the mattress? For the covers? For both?

 

[Observer]

Thanks TCM. Good site. I may have a new mattress made for home as well. Prices seem very reasonable.

 

[BarryH]

As long as you let the thing breathe. When people ask for all vynil covers (so the can be swapped from side to side) I normally put a row of brass eylets along the back edges. This'll let the air out when its sat on and lets it breathe. The only prob with vyvil is that on a hot night your body moisture has nowhere to go. So the bed clothes/sleeping bag will get damp. As I said before , good if your with a wo........oh forget it.

The mesh fabric will mean that you cant swap them round, but the vynil wont show wear as much as a normal woven fabric. I've got 8 mtrs of bristish racing green Connerlly hide if your interested!

 

[Observer]

Nimbus

Hi Brian,

We have a 31 Ultima (also aft cabin). Single shaft. 3 cabins. 5 berths.

We're pleased with it but need more space (3 children). Excellent seakeeping. Economical but with fair turn of speed (24kts) in right conditions. Nimbus well known to hold value well.

Might be tempted by the Coupe because of the convenience of not fighting with the covers but the aft cabin layout's good for family.

 

[tcm]

Re: not vinyl

vinyl covers (even with sheets on) get ever so hot and clammy imho. Have a matress cover in fabric, and even another matress protector on top of that. Make sure as much moisture can escape as poss, ventilation holes under matress.

 

[KevL]

If you've got some genuine Connerlly Hide I'd hang onto that if I were you. They have gone out of business and you know how many restoration projects will want to use the original stuff.

KevL

--
It may be the early bird that catches the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.

 

[BarryH]

I've had it knocking around for years. The factory/mill whatever used to be just up the road from where I worked at the time. How many motors use BRG hide on the seats, its bloody hideous!

 

[KevL]

Aston Martin offered the full range of hides and I know BRG has been fitted as base seat cover or as inserts to match the exterior.

KevL

--
It may be the early bird that catches the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.

 

[wheneverIcan]

Re: Nimbus

Hi

We had a Nimbus 27 with Aft cabin up until recently and found it excellent in all respects especially the sleeping arrangements with two young children.
We changed her recently for a Nimbus 320 coupe, bit concerned about the new sleeping arrangements but will no doubt find out in the spring what its like. In general though it goes well - 27knts, and although we haven't taken in big seas yet she seems to hold her own.

It is nice not to have to fight with the covers though! Just slide the door shut and thats it.

Simon