Cushion foam

[KAM]

I'm just about to replace some cushion foam. The 45 year old ones get damp with condensation after a nights sleep despite all common remedies being tried. Suspect some salt contamination but they were washed a few years ago. Anyone got any reccommendations for type of foam. Was reading about rectilinear foam which suppliers claim to be easy to dry.

 

[lustyd]

do you mean reticulating? If so that's generally outdoor cushions and allows water to pour through. Inside it's usually just standard cushion foam or mattress foam. Often cheaper to buy a foam mattress on Amazon and cut it down.

 

[peter gibbs]

DIY foam shaping - do have an electric carving knife to hand for smart accurate cuts and chamfering.

 

[KAM]

Just come back from a cruise on a friend's boat. Slept in the V berth. Cushions bone dry underneath in the morning. No insulation or ventilation underneath. Same size boat. He didn't know what type of foam he had. Another friends HR was the same. It can only be the type of foam that's causing problems on my boat. Does anyone have any info on the correct type of foam to use.

 

[johnalison]

I think my HR foam is in two parts, a firmer layer overlaid with a softer foam, which makes for more comfort but I don’t know what they use.

 

[LittleSister]

. . . and you need firmer foam if the berths are also used as seats.

 

[GunfleetSand]

Would a closed cell foam be the thing?

 

[johnalison]

At the top of my page is an ad for spray foam.

 

[Mudisox]

Foam on seat cushions and backs have stayed good for the 37 years of boat's life. Bed mattresses are raised by numerous wooden slats with rubber joining pieces, originally from Ikea and are both comfortable,[giving a degree of "bounce"] and also keep the foam mattresses free of condensation. They are over the engine spaces however which are sound proofed.

 

[Malish]

Plenty of memory foam options on ebay and similar sites. Using it transformed the cushions on our (wooden) dining room chairs from tolerable for a short period to wonderful for an extended time

 

[KAM]

Not worried about comfort. There's nothing wrong with what we have. I was hoping someone could give specific details of foams which seem to exist which seem to eliminate dampness under the cushions. It's a dry boat. I've tried both closed cell under the cushions and entilation. It made it worse. If someone had some specifications it would be very useful. PU, PE, Vinyl, close cell, open cell, both in combination, density, type of covering?

 

[laika]

I was hoping someone could give specific details of foams which seem to exist which seem to eliminate dampness under the cushions.

Where are all those armchair experts when you need them?

 

[Malabarista]

We use a type of matting with a diamond shaped pattern which fit underneath the existing foam. It solved our damp problem but I’m too insensitive to notice if it’s any more comfortable. We are also trialling a couple of rolls of seriously cheap non slip matting that we got from Lidls that seem to be working so far but not slept on full time unlike the real ones
Under Mattress Ventilation Vent Air Mat | Hawke House

 

[KAM]

Tried that. The under mattress mesh doesent really work. The cushion just deforms and blocks the air flow. With the cushion between a hull side and fiddle theres no airflow at all.

 

[Rappey]

Ive found 4" Mattress foam is a lot softer than what's used for boats. It's great for laying on but when sat on your butt can be virtually touching the seat base.
I bought some blue foam and once it was covered and on the boat I then realised how the rest of the 40 Yr old foam had lost all its support.
I have foam cushions and they often feel damp but all the seat foam feels dry ?

 

[Neeves]

Foam on seat cushions and backs have stayed good for the 37 years of boat's life. Bed mattresses are raised by numerous wooden slats with rubber joining pieces, originally from Ikea and are both comfortable,[giving a degree of "bounce"] and also keep the foam mattresses free of condensation. They are over the engine spaces however which are sound proofed.

We too use IKEA, slightly curved, wooden slats with their pocketed rubber strip system. Dunlopillow mattresses. Condensation disappeared once the IKEA slats were used. Our beds are rectangular with a very slight narrowing at the foot, a few cms - simply chopped the slats back to fit - one of simplest and most effective modifications to comfort.

For seat cushions, remove wet weather gear - be strict, enforce - our upholstery is over 20 years old - as good as new.

Jonathan

 

[Iliade]

You will be emitting water as you sleep. If it doesn't pass to a cool surface and condense it will hopefully stay in the mattress overnight and gently evaporate during the day.

Ventilation under the mattress is a good solution, but you could also try thin closed cell foam sheeting to keep the moist air from meeting the locker tops. I use the stuff to keep the many recurring window leaks off the mattresses and it certainly does that job well. Maybe both approaches together would be best.

I think this is what I have.

 

[Iliade]

<snip> I have foam cushions and they often feel damp but all the seat foam feels dry ?

Probably salty. I have found washing helps but I have never yet completely resolved it.* Our motorhome front seats have had the same issue from before it came into our ownership.?

*Actually that is not true. I re-covered one boat's seats with vinyl; They felt dry when first sat upon...

 

[ChromeDome]

Several versions of slatted bed bases around (for boats, camping et al).

One example is
Slatted bed base for boats and caravans - Bedflex Marine

 

[KAM]

I just spent a night on the cushions having placed bin liners under the outer covers on top of the foam. 100% success. It has prevented water vapour permeating the cushion. Didn't seem to affect comfort at all.