Quarter Berth

[coopec]

I've virtually finished the quarter berth but I was quite restricted in size/shape because of:

• Fuel tank (underneath)
• Fuel filler hose
• Bilge pump outlet
• Bilge blower ducting.
• Master cabin double bunk.
• Engine exhaust
• There's plenty of room (3ft+) from the knees up but not that much room for lower legs.
  Is that going to be a problem? AND the height of the "foot box" is only a little over 13 inches. By the time i put a 4 inch mattress in there'd be only about 9 inches but my foot is 10 inches. (I've thought about a 3 inch mattress but I don't think that woul be a good idea)
  
  It doesn't look that brilliant as everything is just screwed together. But as a result the tank could probably be removed from the yacht in about two hours (I've got to finish off the trim and do the rattan cupboard doors)
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[Deleted member 36384]

It looks awkward to use being both too small and offset. Maybe for a short duration, but as a sea berth on an extended cruise or even just the mug that has to use it in port for a long time, it would not work well. I have slept on many yachts with a foot space in port and at sea and they are all full berth width, height is less important but I think your height is way too small at 9". My ankles, lying on my side, are 9" from berth to top of ankle, legs together, so to be comfortable I would need to drop one foot down, in an already restricted space, dragging sleeping bag or quilt tightly around feet; result poor sleep. You could drop the seat as a berth, or if you really need the berth, remove the tank and open up the space.

 

[coopec]

It looks awkward to use being both too small and offset. Maybe for a short duration, but as a sea berth on an extended cruise or even just the mug that has to use it in port for a long time, it would not work well. I have slept on many yachts with a foot space in port and at sea and they are all full berth width, height is less important but I think your height is way too small at 9". My ankles, lying on my side, are 9" from berth to top of ankle, legs together, so to be comfortable I would need to drop one foot down, in an already restricted space, dragging sleeping bag or quilt tightly around feet; result poor sleep. You could drop the seat as a berth, or if you really need the berth, remove the tank and open up the space.

I tend to agree but I will try it. I looked at the berths of an old replica sailing ship and I was aghast at what they had to sleep on (I wonder what sort of mattress they had) But anyway the berth as it is would be OK for a child.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Black Sheep]

Only way to find out if it's a problem is to try it!

I think you will probably find it uncomfortable.

On my 18 footer, I have a low "trotter box"; I think about 4 feet long and probably a simiar height, but full width. It's not comfortable. If I want to turn over in the night, I need to do it one leg at a time!

When I made my mattress, I gave it less thickness at the feet. Where you really need the thickness & support is from the thighs up (esp the hips). You could consider a 2 inch mattress for the full length, underlain by a 2 inch section of firm foam for the upper section (tapered towards the join).

 

[coopec]

Only way to find out if it's a problem is to try it!

I think you will probably find it uncomfortable.

On my 18 footer, I have a low "trotter box"; I think about 4 feet long and probably a simiar height, but full width. It's not comfortable. If I want to turn over in the night, I need to do it one leg at a time!

When I made my mattress, I gave it less thickness at the feet. Where you really need the thickness & support is from the thighs up (esp the hips). You could consider a 2 inch mattress for the full length, underlain by a 2 inch section of firm foam for the upper section (tapered towards the join).

Yes, I thought about tapering the mattress. If the mattress was 4 inch from head to buttocks and then tapered that would be OK. If I put the aft cabin double berth athwartships then height of the berth would not be a problem.

Jim Skoog (Cruising in Comfort) says you need 3ft at the top of the bed but then it can taper (How much?)

 

[scruff]

I hate to be critical of someone else's handiwork, but that looks far to constrained to be of any comfort / use to sleep in.

Can you perhaps fit runners to use the space as sliding storage instead?

 

[coopec]

I hate to be critical of someone else's handiwork, but that looks far to constrained to be of any comfort / use to sleep in.

Can you perhaps fit runners to use the space as sliding storage instead?

Thanks for that. I'll have to work on it (but later on).

In the meantime I think I'll do what BlackSheep says and try it!

Maybe I can re-rout the Fuel tank filler hose and get 5 inches (? extra width? I'll have to think about it!

 

[coopec]

I've read numerous articles about ideal sizes of yacht berths and it all depends on whether you are at anchor or sailing. I like this guy's opinion.

PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

Berth dimensions can be narrower at the foot, than the shoulders. There's nothing worse than a too short berth, so most consider 78" (1.98 m) the minimum for an adult, with 80" (2.03 m) being better as Stan recommends. Widths can vary quite a bit, but generally 22" (.56 m) is about as small as you'd want, except in racers. 24" (.6 m) is acceptable, though tight, unless at sea. If live aboard is desired, make the berths as big as practical and employ lee cloths to keep the crew in place at sea.
Comfortable bunk dimensions for cruising

My "footbox" is W 18 in X H 13 in which puts it within the ball park. (Length-wise it is fine)

From what PAR says I'd have to use lee cloths while at sea as the bunk is around 36 in at its' widest point..

 

[coopec]

As Black Sheep says "The only way to find out is try it" So I will try it.

When we sleep on our back the soles of our feet are not vertical so I think it will be fine.

 

[Boathook]

As Black Sheep says "The only way to find out is try it" So I will try it.

When we sleep on our back the soles of our feet are not vertical so I think it will be fine.

View attachment 100235

How many sleep with a cushion under the legs as shown in your picture ? Remove it and the feet will be vertical imho.

 

[coopec]

How many sleep with a cushion under the legs as shown in your picture ? Remove it and the feet will be vertical imho.

That's not the way I sleep!

Anyhow I'm going to give it a try. If it doesn't work I have a plan.....