Double bed in a (small) boat?

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chockswahay

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I have two threads going at the moment re 27/28 footers concerning the merits of sea qualities etc. However, a rather dull but important issue for me is the sleeping arrangements!

Within the range of boats available does anyone know of any that will accommodate me and Mrs Chox comfortably? I am 6'2" and fed up with sleeping on my own in a very narrow bunk.

One of the (many) problems with most forward cabins is that the total length is quite short and/or that the bunk has to be completely dissembled to access the chain locker.

Now what Id really like is a fixed double about 6'6" by 6' wide! with a proper mattress (I guess that aint never gonna happen!)

Please don't slate me too quickly......if you don't ask you don't get

Many thanks

Chox
 
Tall order (ba-boom)

One possible solution is to organise an infill between the saloon berth to provide a full width fornicatorium. A one piece mattress would be a no-no, but one in three sections might be possible.

Or look for a boat that's differently organised to the usual. Only one that springs to my mind at the mo is the Midget which does away with a forecabin and moves the saloon forward, but there may be others.

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What are you expecting for goodness sake on a 27 footer? :confused::confused::confused:

Actually a Heavenly Twins 26/27 has two double bunks and a queen size bunk. We've modified ours so that it has a Superking bed in one cabin, a 'honeymoon double' in another cabin and a further king size bed in the saloon, all with 2m long bunks :o:o:o And it also has a separate child's cabin. So if you want that space, buy a cat.
 
pasta_simon said:
What are you expecting for goodness sake on a 27 footer? :confused::confused::confused:

Actually a Heavenly Twins 26/27 has two double bunks and a queen size bunk. We've modified ours so that it has a Superking bed in one cabin, a 'honeymoon double' in another cabin and a further king size bed in the saloon, all with 2m long bunks :o:o:o And it also has a separate child's cabin. So if you want that space, buy a cat.
Click to expand...

It all becomes clear, at last, that explains why people that have catamarans always look so tired.
 
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Most often the front V berths are exactly 6' from point to head ... which usually ends up with games of footsie during the night ... not good really!

The aft cabins under the cockpit are the ones to look for - slightly larger than your 27/28 - the Jeanneau 29.2 and the Dufour 30 have good aft cabins for the size.

One Dufour 30 that we looked at (but declined) didn't have the forward bulkhead - so essentially you could extend the front 'cabin' into the saloon area to get a bit more space - but it still involves bits of wood and making up beds etc etc ...
 
Fireball beat me to it... If you can stretch to a 29 foot boat then the Sun Odyssey 29.2 has a wide berth in the aft cabin.. and is an easily managed boat for two.
 
If its one good double (fixed in after cabin), you are after, with another couple of usable narrow berths and childrens v-berth up forward, then something ike my Gib'sea 76 fits the bill, good toilet compartment and forward facing dedicated chart table included all under 27ft. Lots similar in Hunter range.
 
Ahem.
Can I recommend the sleeping arrangements on the Offshore 8 metre where Ms Sawdoc and I enjoy the main saloon athwartships berth -remove the dining table and pedestal and span the central passageway with infill cushions. Lots of room and very comfortable on our 26 footer.
 
Here's the floorplans and a picture of the aft cabin of mine, Jeanneau Sun-Dream 28. It has double aft cabin which is 6'3" and part of it could be extended a few more inches quite easily. Headroom just as you go in through the door is 5'11". The picture is before relining, what a mess!:D

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They're nominally 28 feet, usually 29.5 feet with sugar scoop at the back (not sure there ever was a Sunway 29?). They were built late 80's/early 90's. Same layout as later Jeanneau SO 29.2/Dufour 30. Not as fat at the back as the new "AWB" 30 odd footers...
 
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27ft boat

On a boat of that size your layout is pretty much determined by the designer. You need a post under the mast which often ends up being the bulkhead. They often squeeze in a toilet compartment on one side and hanging space the other.
Down the back you are stuck with little head room under the cockpit floor which must be central. Quarter berths then fit nicely under the seats of the cockpit.
So you are left only with the midships area which is often made into a table and sitting area one side exstending to the centre with galley the other side.

A big berth in the forepeak could be made by doing away with the toilet compartment and hanging locker.
You might get enough room in a quarter berth if the entrance way is moved to one side .
But probably you only real choice is the centre area. This will have to be a temporary bed if you are to get movement to the fore cabin/toilet. You might get a permanent bed sleeping fore and aft one person next to the hull one near the c/l. Or for real space sleep athwart ships.

I don't think you will find what you want in available boats. Just get what you want and modify as best you can. good luck olewill
 
I am just over 6', the double berth in our Beneteau 285 suits SWMBO and me very well indeed; and I would not like to be quoted, but she is not Twiggy. TF -:)

Our previous boat was a Leisure 23 SL, with a double berth in the main cabin where the table lowered. I added an infill with a purpose-made cushion that could be stowed in the quarter berth when not in use.

'Twiggy' and I loved that boat too.
 
I am 6' 3" and have slept comfortably in both the forepeak and saloon on the Trapper 500. The dinette table drops to form a decent double and the forepeak is a pretty good size for a 27 footer too. Old foam is the bane of many a sailor's sleep. I changed all the foam in our boat for brand new thick stuff with new covers - slept like I'd been dropped into my coffin!! Might be worth going for new foam on at least your main bed on your next boat.
 
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