Bedflex vs. drymat vs. anything else?

Kelpie

Kelpie

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Just back after first week-long cruise- great wee trip down as far as Torridon and Rona. One issue that came up is the surprising amount of condensation forming under the foam matresses in the V-berth. SWMBO is a bit dissapointed to find that we may not be able to leave the bed made up all the time because of this.
So, obviously we need to get some sort of ventilation under the matresses. One option is 'Bedflex' slats- but they seem pretty pricey for what they are. Perhaps I could knock something up from IKEA sprung slats? SWMBO is also keen to get some more spring into the mattress.
Drymat is quite a lot cheaper but it seems hard to imagine that it would be as effective... and I doubt it would add any comfort.

Finally, the mattress cushions are getting towards the end of their lives anyway... should I consider looking for something closed-cell as a replacement? I was amazed how long it took to dry the existing foam out after we decided to wash them.

Cheers,

Rob
 
Robwhelton said:
SWMBO is also keen to get some more spring into the mattress.
Click to expand...

howerd_470x350.jpg
 
I have used Bedflex for about a year now it works! although I can't say there is any increase in spring etc more a case of just raising the berth cushions and leaving an air gap of about 15mm. On a 3 week cruise last year no problems, we still occaisionaly lift the cusions for an hour or so just to check and air them but no dampness. Worthwhile as to making something it is possible but the Bedflex is easy to tailor and purpose made so no faffing about took about an hour to make a template cut slats to length for an offset double berth and the slats stay in place.
 
Over the years we have used coconut matting, a plastic covered coconut mat substitute (cant think of the name) and IKEA slats, they all work!

The current set up is a foam mattress with a memory foam topper 75mm thick and IKEA slats, no condensation and a very comfortable nights sleep.
 
Thanks for replies...
one of possible the arguments in favour of the Bedflex slats would be that they'd make the rather thin and flat mattresses more comfy... but perhaps this isn't the case. It certainly seems more cost effective to just cobble together something from either wooden battens (if I don't want to add 'spring') or from IKEA slats if I want to try to be cleverer.

Oh and enough of the innuendo! :D
 
Ikea slats are the way forward, I live aboard with these and can't belive I didn't do it sooner.

surprised you suggest they're more expensive, I was under the impression that the dri-bed or whatever it's called was silly money. Checking a couple of chanldery sites ahs just confirmed this - force4 = £60 for a double bed sized bit. same price as a set of double ikea bendy slats:
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10160229
these are infinetly better for both comfort and ventilation, but remember you'll loose some height.

non bendy slats are cheap as chips.
 
Skysail said:
We find Dry-mat to be reasonably effective. A big improvement in condensation levels, though not 100%.
Click to expand...
Agreed: Dry-mat substantial improvement but not totally perfect. Probably the best you can get without raising the cushions substantially.
 
We use these swimming pool type mats found cheap in Portugal (about 30 euros). They clip together and you can trim to size. The v-berth is very comfy and condensation free and the extras found a home in the bottom of our non-draining fridge.
 
I've got dry-mat in the forepeak and am not overly impressed, OK-ish at this time of year but hopeless in Jan/Feb.

Will be replaced with IKEA slats before the onset of winter.
 
How does one install/arrange the slats in the fore V-berth?

Does anyone have a photo of a typical setup?
 
Another vote for IKEA bed slats.
Cheap - and made an enormous difference to comfort and ventilation.
Took about 30 mins to cut slats down to fit
Was so good we took the memory foam back!

But as said - you do lose a couple of inches height - so we need to raise the lee cloth a tad
 
Bedflex better than Ikea

Hi I have changed to Bedflex as it places a proper gap under the slats of about 3cm and lets the air move around. It also adds a bit of spring to my mattress. Though cheaper the original Ikea slats lay on the surface and didn't really do too much as there was no gap. If they were supported both ends and nothing was underneather they would have worked but I have a solid wooden base.
 
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