Berth cushion / mattresses

[Seajet]

Does anyone know a decent, economical source of berth cushions please ? - I think all foam has to be flame retardent by now but that is a requirement.

 

[VicS]

Does anyone know a decent, economical source of berth cushions please ? - I think all foam has to be flame retardent by now but that is a requirement.

I last bought foam, a good few years ago, pre internet and ebay days, from Foam for Comfort who at that time advertised in the camping and caravanning magazines http://www.foamforcomfort.co.uk/
What I bought from them is still in good condition

For berth cushions you need the firm grade, preferably not less than 4" thick ....... mine is only 3" thick but a vast improvement on the softer stuff I previously bought locally.

The foam needs to be cut slightly larger than the finished cushion size to ensure a good tight of the covers .. I forget the recommended oversize ratio though, but if you can get the foam into the covers without a good fight they will be too loose

 

[Seajet]

VicS,

thanks - I have very comfy 4" + cushions on my boat - wonderful compared to those nasty thin vinyl jobs inflicted by 1970's boatbuilders ! But they were made by my now infirm mum - I'm asking on behalf of another A22 owner.

A good tip I found is to have the aft end of the triangular forepeak cushion made raised, so as to keep the pillows from falling off; while restless sleeping of course

 

[Talulah]

Reticulated foam isn’t flame retardant. Often used for cockpit cushions. On the Sailrite YouTube videos they were recommending Reticulated foam for some below decks applications.

 

[LittleSister]

We bought for our triangular forepeak berth about 4 years ago. From, IIRC, eFoam. They had a range of different thickness, hardnesses, etc., and were easy and prompt to deal with. No noticeable degradation in the foam since.

What Vic says is, as usual, dead right: berths you sit on need harder foam than those you just lie on, and your foam should be slightly larger (about 1" per 6 foot is about right, IIRC) than your cushions.

Also good to get a muslin (?) cover to make the foam easier to get into the cushion.

We also had the problem we didn't have enough height for the ideal thickness, and bought harder foam than we might otherwise done. It was a great improvement on the tired, oversoft old foam it replaced.

You can get the foam supplied cut to shape. Simple shapes can be handled by the online forms, otherwise they'll cut to a drawing. We had a basically simple shape, but with some complex irregularities, e.g. variations in slopes to the edge of the cushions (where it fits against the hull), so we bought the foam cut to the basic shape with one side to the maximum needed, then trimmed that edge back ourselves to suit with a very sharp knife. I'm told an electric carving knife is ideal, but we didn't have one.

 

[Graham_Wright]

If cost is an issue, caravan breakers are excellent sources. They should be flame retardant but worth checking.

A raised edge behind the knees helps comfort.

 

[Seajet]

We bought for our triangular forepeak berth about 4 years ago. From, IIRC, eFoam. They had a range of different thickness, hardnesses, etc., and were easy and prompt to deal with. No noticeable degradation in the foam since.

What Vic says is, as usual, dead right: berths you sit on need harder foam than those you just lie on, and your foam should be slightly larger (about 1" per 6 foot is about right, IIRC) than your cushions.

Also good to get a muslin (?) cover to make the foam easier to get into the cushion.

We also had the problem we didn't have enough height for the ideal thickness, and bought harder foam than we might otherwise done. It was a great improvement on the tired, oversoft old foam it replaced.

You can get the foam supplied cut to shape. Simple shapes can be handled by the online forms, otherwise they'll cut to a drawing. We had a basically simple shape, but with some complex irregularities, e.g. variations in slopes to the edge of the cushions (where it fits against the hull), so we bought the foam cut to the basic shape with one side to the maximum needed, then trimmed that edge back ourselves to suit with a very sharp knife. I'm told an electric carving knife is ideal, but we didn't have one.

I always bought flame retardant foam - it's easy to cut to shape with a serrated breadknife - it's getting someone to do the covering that's the tricky expensive bit !

I was lucky to find a source of denim, this seems a good hard wearing material.

 

[johnalison]

Our cushions and berths have firm foam covered with a thin layer of soft foam, which gives a more luxurious feel.

 

[ianat182]

Andy,
A few weeks ago there was a thread regarding upholstery replacement which gave a couple of reliable and good work and prices, these were:

www.annrosefabrics.co.uk Tel.01795 877666(reckoned to be 2/3rd cheaper than elsewhere(isle of Sheppey)

Roland at TRIMNET ( Chatham) contact is Sales@trimnet.co.uk( 01634 244844)

worth a request for quotation I reckon!


ianat182

 

[maby]

On a related subject, does anyone have any recommendations for a good source for upholstery grade fabric in bulk - preferably in the south east?

 

[oldharry]

Our cushions and berths have firm foam covered with a thin layer of soft foam, which gives a more luxurious feel.

We did this too: SWMBO being good with a sewing machine made the covers, and we had cut up a memory foam matteress topper whuch was surplus toi requirements at home. Beatifully comfortable for both sitting and sleeping. Wefound the orginal foam was still usable, itwas just the coveres that had got scruffy and worn. Agree 4" minimum thickness.

 

[PhillM]

I have just done this very job.

Another vote for e-foam for your foam. Jane, AKA Boogie-nights of this parish has done the hard work with the sewing machine - and a very fine job she has done too. PM her or me and I can pass you her number.