Preventing Mildewed Bunks

[captainforbes]

I have brand new foam bunks(on a brand new boat!), and want to prevent mildew growth. Body moisture absorbs into the foam overnight , making it damp and creating perfect conditions for mildew (if you don't agree then see how damp the underside of your bunk foam is in the morning).
I have thought of using a waterproof matress protector to keep the foam dry, but someone suggested that moisture absorbed from the air would then be prevented from evaporating.............possibly making the problem worse.
Putting spacers below the matress to allow air circulation would raise it unacceptably, and probably make an uncomfortable sleeping surface.
What does the panel think????????

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[snowleopard]

all sorts of things you can put under the mattress to allow moisture to escape. The Natural Mat Co make a rubberised coir pad about 3/4 in thick which compresses as you move and thus pumps air in and out. i saw a mesh of plastic threads between two open-weave layers of fabric that do the same job. (hawke house at fareham)

there are (very expensive) bendy slats available, at the other end of the cost scale, i have read of getting plumber's plastic pipe insulation, cutting it in half and gluing to the bunk board about 2" apart.

the natural mat co also do mattresses that incorporate a layer of coir. these don't work as they have fabric next to the base that absorbs water & develops mildew.

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[StugeronSteve]

There has been a product recommended many times on this forum that you lay beneath the mattress. I can't recall the name but it is available form caravan dealers.

<hr width=100% size=1>God only made so many perfect heads. The rest got covered in hair.

 

[ArgoNot]

Ventilating the space directly beneath the mattress is the key. Many years ago I used a caravan as 'live-aboard' accomodation on a job and had the same problem. I solved it with a trip to the local timber yard for enough timber strip to knock up a slatted pallet to go under the mattress. Raised the mattress about an inch, but you might want a smarter job in a new boat. Bunks on oil platforms use a corrugated metal profile, a bit like roofing, but smaller sestion.

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[captainforbes]

Has anyone tried using a waterproof matress protector to prevent the problem happening in the first place?

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[captainforbes]

Has anyone tried using a waterproof matress protector to prevent the problem happening in the first place?

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[Rowana]

You could try the roll-up mats from a camping shop. The ones that back-packers put on the ground of their tents to stop moisture (and cold) coming UP from the ground. Put them on top of bunks and that way the foam in the bunks is kept dry. They are only about £5-00, so it won't cost you a fortune to try.

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[snowleopard]

the problem with a waterproof cover is that it will cause condensation on the inside of the cover as moist air from the mattress meets the cold surface of the base. a waterproof layer must be at the warm side of the insulating layer. that's how insulated lining is done on houses. unfortunately with a bunk that means having the waterproof layer next to yourself. anyone who's been in hospital recently will know how unpleasant that is.

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[Mirelle]

Having an old boat, maybe I don\'t understand?

Rip out the plywood bunk bases and replace them with wooden slats with a good air gap between the slats. Leave some space for air to circulate under the slats eg if you have a water tank under the bunk, or drawers, leave an inch or two clear. Job done.

This works perfectly with wooden boats; however it may be that, for some reason that I don't understand, this cannot be done with modern boats - maybe the bunk bases are "structural"?

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[seaesta]

Re: Having an old boat, maybe I don\'t understand?

My cushions are so old that they are wipeable "leather effect" pvc or similar. These do not cause me to sweat and have no mildew problem. May be when re- upholstering one should avoid the trendy "soft furnishing" approach and go for a more durable materials than can be wiped clean.
Martin

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