foldaway temporary bunk

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lenten

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years ago i fitted out a large van as a motorhome----i put in a foldaway bunk which consisted of 2x 6 foot 6 inch aluminium poles which threaded into sleeves each side of a 30 inch x6 foot 6 inch length of what appeared to be nylon deckchair material-----the whole thing came as a kit with cups to drop the poles into-----anyone know if you can still buy them -----thanks lenten
 
These are known as a "pipe berth". Often used on boats because if you make the cloth bottom more saggy you can stay in at extreme heel angles. You can make your own out of Ali poles. The cloth can be cut and sewn from old sails, shade cloth material or heavy canvas. You will need to figure out a way to attach the outer pole. On boats they are often fitted between bulkheads.
good luck olewill
 
The term I'm familiar with is "pipe cot". They're the standard bunk for Voyage Crew on Stavros, and also found on Army yachts and probably racing boats that pack a lot of people in.

Not aware of any kits, but a pair of scaff poles, some simple sewing, and a bit of basic woodwork will see you right. A sail cover/sprayhood/upholstery company will probably do the canvaswork for you if required.

Pete
 
quick reply olewill ---exactly as you say----poles were trimmed to size and fitted between van bulkhead and floor to ceiling cupboard----never heard the term pipe berth----will google----i was hoping i could still buy the kit ---it was very cheap and very practical------thanks for imfo----regards lenten
 
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Which is more comfortable , a hammock or a pipe cot?

Pipe cot, It's a word I haven't heard for years. We used to have them at our holiday house in the west of Ireland years and years ago. Fine when we were kids, can't remember if I've ever slept in one since.

I notice that the army still use them out in Aganistan, so they must be reasonably comfy.
 
Heres something like you may be looking for after a quick Google.
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-...n-boat-horsebox-conversions-etcetc/1011734384

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no connections etc.
 
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IIRC, some quality boats, such as Rivals, have them for sleeping in the saloon, stored in a slot behind the settee backrests.
 
They're probably still available from caravan shops. The last one I had was nylon cloth, rather light ally poles and nylon cups to hold the poles - came with an elderly caravan.


Rob.
 
rustybarge said:
Which is more comfortable , a hammock or a pipe cot?
Click to expand...

I've never slept in a hammock, but I reckon a pipe cot must be better as it's at least flat from head to toe. If wide and taut they can be pretty comfy; if narrow and hanging loose they're a bit restrictive and uncomfortable - but suddenly come into their own in rough weather as they hold you in place so you can sleep without subconsciously clinging in place, which always keeps me awake in a normal bunk.

A decent setup will have two positions for one of the poles, so it can be adjusted from flat and tight for comfortable sleeping in port, to loose and hammocky for use at sea.

rustybarge said:
I notice that the army still use them out in Aganistan, so they must be reasonably comfy.
Click to expand...

I assume you're referring to the "American" camp beds, that are like stretchers with X-shaped legs underneath? Used to be a flourishing trade in British Army rations for American camp beds, as the issue British beds were those ankle-high things with wire W-shaped legs underneath, a bit rubbish for semi-permanent bases. I guess maybe the "American" pattern is now British issue too. I have a civilian copy; I used to borrow my Dad's American original, swapped for rations during the first Gulf War. It's actually pretty decently comfortable. It sets up very tight, the canvas makes a noise like a big drumskin before it's been slept in. This is how you want an in-port pipe cot to be for comfort, as tight as you can get it - your bodyweight will inevitably add some sag however hard you try, so don't build the sag in. Then add a second position maybe six inches inward for the "at sea" mode.

Pete
 
We have pipecots in our Bowman 40 and simply love them.They have two positions to fix the pole on, depending which tack we are sailing on. The cot itself is a rubberized fabric which means you can cheerfully lie down in wet weather gear and just wipe up the puddle in the morning! We spent 7 days sleeping in them in full wet weather gear on our Atlantic passage last summer. No matter how rough the sea you feel secure and comfortable. Can be a bit of a struggles sometimes to climb out when the boat is well heeled.

You can sleep on the sofa underneath, and on the bowman these are fitted with lee clothes as well.It's a bit snug if there is a body above but we have had all 4 berths in the saloon occupied when all our kids are on board.

In calmer seas the sofa and lee cloth work well but when the going gets rough the added 'spring' in the pipecot makes for a much more comfortable ride.
 
Gerry said:
We have pipecots in our Bowman 40 and simply love them.They have two positions to fix the pole on, depending which tack we are sailing on. The cot itself is a rubberized fabric which means you can cheerfully lie down in wet weather gear and just wipe up the puddle in the morning! We spent 7 days sleeping in them in full wet weather gear on our Atlantic passage last summer. No matter how rough the sea you feel secure and comfortable. Can be a bit of a struggles sometimes to climb out when the boat is well heeled.

You can sleep on the sofa underneath, and on the bowman these are fitted with lee clothes as well.It's a bit snug if there is a body above but we have had all 4 berths in the saloon occupied when all our kids are on board.

In calmer seas the sofa and lee cloth work well but when the going gets rough the added 'spring' in the pipecot makes for a much more comfortable ride.
Click to expand...


I can see that they are going to be much more comfortable than hammocks, as your back is straight when you are sleeping, not curved like in a hammock. Try turning over in your sleep in a hammock, it's very hard to do with the curve, and sleeping on your side is not a natural shape for your back.

You've convinced me!
 
Slept on both types for too many months years ago. IMHO a hammock is more comfortable when the seas are really rough but are a pain to set up and get into. The main drawback is the lateral load on the attachment points.
 
i started the thread but thought it had run its course and finished----so an extra thank you to all posters ----i will make a pipe cot myself ---shouldn t be too difficult----regards lenten
 
Standard fit on a Rustler 36. We used them on passage. Kids above, adults below, or for storing baggage.
Note the multiple fitting points so you can stay level and also determine the width, therefore tightness of the base.
Best to make them out of acrylic canvas.

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Pipe Cots I am familiar with on a previous Rival (aluminium poles) but they are not fitted to my 41C, that is a future plan. I have a query - do Americans call these "Root Berths"? It's a term I came across in "Sail" magazine.
 
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