Damp

[Cinnamon]

I'm aware this is not an original subject and searches provided lots of info on ventilation but thats not really what I was after.

I'm happy with the ventillation (hatches open a bit!) but it still seems to get damp under the mattress (& yes, I am aware of where the heads are). I think I need some sort of underlay under the mattress to allow a bit of air-flow but I haven't seen any suitable matting or similar product. Any ideas?

Cheers

 

[Skyva_2]

A common problem!

Thses people were at the boat show:

http://www.airflowsprings.com/acatalog/index.html

The rubberised coir is cheaper than the spring slats, take your choice. IKEA has similar slats, but apparently not very good, but maybe worth a look at the price.

However SWMBO who is an expert has found rubberised coir mats at the local fabric wholesaler for half the price.

 

[chrisc]

I looked at these at the show (because we have the same problem).I decided that it would be a better job to build them straight onto boat.pegged in so that they are still removable. any thoughts on this?

 

[thalassa]

Cheapo solution, with added comfort:

Insulation tubes kept 1 cm apart, by linking together by loops of textile reinforced tape. Works for four years now.

 

[chrisc]

very interesting

 

[Gerry]

We had a problem in Portugal a while ago and put closed cell foam camping mats cut to size under our berth. They worked a treat and are cheaply available from somewhere like Milletts. We still have them in place 4 years later and believe that they make the berth more comfortable and better insulated from the mass of the water tank that is underneath!

 

[peteandthira]

We have used VentAir for the last 6 months living aboard. It's very good.

Pops

 

[pvb]

The true spirit of PBO...

Great! That's a solution worth printing in PBO.

 

[nedmin]

Excellent idea Thalassa! Was it a pipe dream!? I use woven beach mats, seem to work for us.

 

[thalassa]

It wasn't a dream, more like lying awake. We had changed the foam in the matresses to a firmer make ("Bultex"), but it was quite hard, and far from comfy. Also, we dragged the cushions home each autumn in our family car... The isolation tubes are the best make I could find, and I used a T-frame (two battens) to hold the tubes temporarely in place while making the connections. Takes about two hours to make a triangular bed. The idea is that point pressure (elbow) pushes the tubes sideways. After four years, the tubes have not gone noticeably flatter. It is much lighter than a slat frame, and ventilates really well. Cushions stay on the boat now, and s+x life has improved too.

 

[Talbot]

amongst other ideas, try techair from technix. see page 9 of http://www.technix-rubber.com/pdf/Marine%20Booklet.pdf

 

[bumblefish]

There was an article/letter in PBO about using the slatted mattress base from IKEA cut to fit, if you can fit it?

 

[whisper]

I've installed these and there is no condensation under the mattress any more. I think they are a lot cheaper than the "Marine" versions, surprise, surprise.

 

[chrisc]

Well you have convinced me ,down to he building suppliers in the morning.

 

[PhilipH]

Go to Ikea and buy their wooden slats (Liared) at £9.99 a go. I did a three double cabin boat for less than £90.

Excellent

 

[Cinnamon]

Ooo yes, that looks like a great solution. Cheers!
Thanks all!

 

[tugboat]

Can you confirm no squeaking during rumpy-pumpy? From the tubing, I mean! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif