Boat mattress'

[Oscarpop]

We are considering changing our mattress on our double aft berth, so are doing some research.

Firstly, any recommendations for either manufacturer or which type and which thickness? It seems as if 7inch interior sprung is the standard,but would like some feedback.

Secondly , it seems from the online mattress people that you can add a couple of hundred pounds to the cost if you have the mattress split down the middle.
Is this simple to facilitate getting it down the hatch? Did anyone just buy a double and squeeze it though by bending it? Or does this ruin the mattress?

Many thanks

 

[Networks]

My advice is don't.

We had the original foam "mattress" that came with the boat and added sprung wooden lats underneath to eliminate condensation and improve comfort, this worked well and provided enough comfort for a 2 or 3 week trip, but beyond this my back started to suffer.
When we decided live aboard my partner bought a very expensive sprung mattress with a zip down the middle for the forward berth, the mattress company said that keeping the lats would not be a problem.
The mattress "sank" in the middle and the outer cover twisted, it was impossible to get a good nights sleep.
Speaking to the manufacturer they then said the problem was because we were using lats and they explained how with reasonable force we could untwist the mattress, which we did, we also removed the lats. Within two nights the mattress was the same again, sinking in the middle and twisting. We researched on the internet and found that you can use lats but put a 400mm length of 3mm ply above the lats lengthwise to stop the "sinking", this helped but did not stop the problem completely.
We have now added a 50mm memory foam topper on top of the mattress which has helped a lot and finally after two years we are getting a good nights sleep.

Looking back we feel that we would have been better with the lats under the boat manufacturers mattress and then a 50mm memory foam topper on that, we would certainly not recommend paying the high price we paid for the fancy mattress that has been nothing but trouble.

Hope that helps.

 

[Sailfree]

Networks

Who did you buy from as I am just about to buy an 200 thick mattress so your experience concerns me.

 

[Cardo]

We also read about issues with sprung mattresses with zips down the middle. As we would've needed to do this to get a mattress that was large enough through the small companionway to the aft cabin, we ended up going for a foam mattress with a layer of memory foam over the top. The thickness of the memory foam dictates how soft/thick the bed is. The mattress can be rolled up to get it in/out of the cabin, so it's relatively easy, and no sagging due to zippered joints.

We went for a relatively thin memory foam topper, about 3cm as we wanted a reasonably stiff mattress. Takes a little getting used to over the first couple of nights after sleeping on a soft bed at home, but we spent last season aboard and found it very comfy.
Stuck a load of that Drymat stuff underneath, and that's worked a treat dealing with condensation.

 

[theoldsalt]

I found this company on-line a while ago and have kept their details for future reference. They seem cheaper than others but I have no experience of the quality. However they may be worth contacting and consideration.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271434711963?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Andy M C]

I would second Networks recommendation.

My original double foam mattress is split to allow access to battery boxes and autopilot beneath. I looked at a number of options for improving comfort including expensive sprung mattresses.
In the end I went for two pronged solution:-

1. A 70mm memory foam topper mattress from Millbrook Boat Mattresses in Southampton. I measured up and sent them a template drawing and was very impressed by the service and quality of the finished product.

2. I installed a Froli Star bed system beneath the original foam mattress.

This is a German product which has recently become available through www.motorcaravanning.co.uk/shopuk/froli_bed.htm
The advantage over wooden slats is that it can be "tuned" to your individual requirement, it is very light in weight and still allows easy access to space beneath the bunk.

The overall solution has added ~11cm to the height of the bed but the improvement in comfort and quality of sleep is very much appreciated!
In total the cost was under £350 which is cheaper than many of the fancy sprung mattress solutions. You also don't have the problem of trying to maneuver a bulky double mattress through the hatch.

 

[Sailfree]

Thanks Andy

Some years ago I bought the Froli product at a boat show but it was not called that and the company was French!

It is currently under the foam mattress but I intend to keep the Froli product under a new 8" pocket sprung mattress I am ordering from Millbrook Boat Mattresses.

Just need the rear cabin templated as soon as I can find the time!!

Did you have a centre zip and didd the mattress dip as per the OP's?

 

[Andy M C]

Thanks Andy

Some years ago I bought the Froli product at a boat show but it was not called that and the company was French!

It is currently under the foam mattress but I intend to keep the Froli product under a new 8" pocket sprung mattress I am ordering from Millbrook Boat Mattresses.

Just need the rear cabin templated as soon as I can find the time!!

Did you have a centre zip and didd the mattress dip as per the OP's?

My Froli product is definitely German manufactured (Froli Kunststoffwerk GmbH, Liemker Straße 27, 33758 Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock)
http://www.froli.com/en/home/

The new topper mattress was one piece and there was no zip in the original foam one beneath. The split is not in the middle though, more like 70:30, but no signs of dipping.

 

[john_morris_uk]

We had a pocket sprung mattress made for our aft cabin. No zip down the middle. There were dire warnings about not folding it up too much to get it into the boat but is squashed through the hatch without too much effort.

It's extremely comfortable and we've had no problems with it going out if shape. It's got a breathable membrane under it (boat show deal) and it's just as comfortable as the pocket sprung mattress on our bed at home.

I think we got it from the Marine Bedding and Mattress company. Can check if you want.

 

[Saguday]

These guys:

http://www.marinebedding.co.uk/boatMattresses.php

Excellent, made two new queen sized doubles for our IP. Bought a load of new bedsheets and stuff too, lovely quality and very good service.

 

[ChattingLil]

We live aboard and planned to invest in a "proper" mattress once we decided that it was going to be permanent. However, in the meantime we kept the original foam, put a 4inch memoery foam mattress on top with a half inch cotton wadding pad on top (reduces the heat from the memory foam and adds stiffness) AND we have put the reticulated foam stuff underneath to combat the condensation. So, I admit it's a bit like being the princess and the pea but....cor it ain't half comfy and we've saved ourselves a fortune.

 

[Pasarell]

I had a 7" interior sprung mattress made for my forward V berth 4 years ago to replace the worn out foam. At the time I was living on the boat most of the time and my back was aching! I had mine made in 3 pieces, 1 long part each side and the V insert as a separate piece. All are connected with broad Velcro strips on the sides and then the joints are covered with "comfort" patches held down by Velcro strips along each side. It made a fantastic difference, just like sleeping on a good quality mattress at home. 4 years on and I still spend about 12 weeks a year on the boat and the mattress is good as new. No sagging whatsoever. With hindsight I had it made a little too tight to the sides of the forward cabin. Putting sheets on is a little tight but not a major problem. I have IKEA slats under the mattress which goes a long way to stopping condensation although when I am on board in winter I tip the mattress up a bit each week to air it out. I think it came from Bedding for Boats but would need to check the invoice to be sure