Boat mattress replacement

[Mike Bryon]

It’s taken three attempts, but I’ve managed to buy a boat (I think). Me I can sleep on a plank but my, at present, non-sailing partner prefers otherwise.

Anyway the v berth upholstery is tired so can anyone recommend a supplier of a custom boat mattress, what material they recommend, how under mattress condensation can be best mitigated and how much should I budget. I'm thinking to go ‘best product’ to make staying overnight appealing to the non-sailor in the family.

All advice very welcome.

 

[robmcg]

Can't recommend a mattress but dry mat under it (and crucially, up the sides) will mitigate condensation issues.

 

[wonkywinch]

Our Beneteau has a slatted base under the mattresses, seems to work very well.

 

[doug748]

I have sailed on a boat with sprung mattresses and the improvement in comfort is remarkable. I have not used this company myself but if I was younger I would invest in one /two for the main sleeping bunks:

made2measure mattress - boats

Apart from that I would go for a minimum of 4in foam with a memory foam top. Defeat all deck leaks, keep a dry bilge and you should have no summer condensation problems in the UK.

.

 

[Lightwave395]

I went to the usual 'boat mattress' suppliers, as usual with anything boaty the prices seemed astronomical for what was a memory foam mattress with one curved side.
I bought memory foam from a foam supplier and made our own, my OH made cotton covers and we do have mesh underneath similar to that described above.
All done at a substantially lower cost and very comfortable

 

[Stemar]

Made to measure will be seriously expensive. The height in the foot space on Jazzcat is very limited, so we got a lump of 4" firm foam which we both find very comfortable, but mattresses are so personal - you have to find what suits you, not me are anyone else. on our last boat, I got a memory foam topped mattress from Ikea and cut it to shape (a wood saw or a serrated bred knife works), but I move in the night and the memory foam had a memory of one position and always wanted me to go back to it, so it was replaced with ordinary foam.

 

[V1701]

One of the biggest improvements to sleeping on my boat was to ditch the two halves of the bespoke, expensive bunk cushions in the forepeak, buy a good quality foam mattress, cut it to size (one piece not two) and sew the cover that came with the new mattress accordingly. No more ending up in the rut between the two halves of the mattress and a much better nights sleep. The expensive option is not necessarily the best. I agree with Stemar that memory foam is the work of the devil...

 

[Humblebee]

I agree with Stemar and V1701, why would I want a mattress to retain my shape if I turned over? Can't see the point of it.

 

[Humblebee]

These folk are good but seriously expensive!

Ship Shape Bedding

 

[Boathook]

I have sailed on a boat with sprung mattresses and the improvement in comfort is remarkable. I have not used this company myself but if I was younger I would invest in one /two for the main sleeping bunks:

made2measure mattress - boats

Apart from that I would go for a minimum of 4in foam with a memory foam top. Defeat all deck leaks, keep a dry bilge and you should have no summer condensation problems in the UK.

.

I've just recently ordered from made2measure so awaiting delivery in x weeks.
I have previously ordered from ship shape bedding and the quality seems OK after a few years sporadic use.
I did think of making my own this time but I wanted a nice fitting cover over the foam.
Like @Stemar I'm limited on depth of mattress so have pushed the depth to 5" as a compromise.

 

[jaminb]

Following a recommendation on here I used Steve to replace my worn out foam mattress. Well worth a chat if you are local.

Trimming and Upholstery Services in Southampton | SEW Trim

 

[john_morris_uk]

We had a bespoke mattress made by Custom Made Boat Bedding - Marine Bedding Company

One of the best things we ever had made for our boat. A proper pocket sprung mattress and it’s seriously comfortable…

 

[Frogmogman]

These folk are good but seriously expensive!

Ship Shape Bedding

I used them to make bespoke fitted bottom sheets and mattress protectors for our boat. Not cheap, perhaps, but excellent service from Callum. I’m very pleased with the result, more to the point, er indoors is happy with them.

 

[lustyd]

These folk are good but seriously expensive!

Ship Shape Bedding

I found them to be quite dodgy actually. Describing products differently on their website and their Amazon shop, and charging different prices for them apparently purposefully to trip up consumers.

When highlighted in the Q&A/Comments on Amazon, they de-listed the product and relisted it to remove the comment rather than address it.

Edited to add, the product was and is fine. I just don't like dealing with companies that are not transparent and up front when doing business as it breaks trust. I certainly wouldn't buy anything of high value as I'd be concerned about long term support and warranty.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I found them to be quite dodgy actually. Describing products differently on their website and their Amazon shop, and charging different prices for them apparently purposefully to trip up consumers.

When highlighted in the Q&A/Comments on Amazon, they de-listed the product and relisted it to remove the comment rather than address it.

That is dodgy.

 

[Bodach na mara]

Long time ago but I started looking for new foan and covers in Boat and Caravan upholstery companies and ended up in a small general upholstery shop where prices were 75% less. I left them with my (12) old cushions of all shapes and sizes as templates, selected a Dralon fabric for the covers and left them to it. In the end they said that some of the foam was in good condition and the price dropped accordingly. The completed job was excellent and all the cushions fitted well, including the ones for which they provided new foam. A few weeks after placing the order I saw the same fabric in use on a bus, so it seemed durable at least.

Unfortunately the company seems to have vanished but if I were doing the job again I would avoid specialised companies and look for a general upholsterer.

 

[Mike Bryon]

Really great advice from all - thank you

 

[Mudisox]

Look in IKEA for the slatted beds- cut them to order.

 

[wonkywinch]

Look in IKEA for the slatted beds- cut them to order.

The slatted beds in Ikea use the slats as springs and flex a fair amount depending on how much pudding you've had, there is normally plenty of clearance underneath the slats. The one's on our boat are rigid slats supported away from the base to provide an air gap for ventilation even when the bed is occupied.

They look similar but are two different things.

 

[Martin&Rene]

I have found that a more positive impact on reducing condensation under the mattress than using slats or Dry-Mat, was to stick 25mm insulation UNDER the bed bases. Strip the foil of one side and use something likes "sticks like sh1t". You do not have to do a perfect fit job and remember to cover the access covers. If we slept in the front cabin, I would even double the thickness where possible. Doing this eliminates the cold surface at bilge temperature and hence cuts out the condensation.

https://www.travisperkins.co.uk/ins...-celotex-pir-insulation-board-tb4000/p/778035