My best guess would be your shoulder width, but it only works (in my experience) if the narrow berth is like a coffin. Then you can feel really secure in a seaway, wrap up in a duvet and be gone from the world.
I've got some berths that are wider than the "coffin" was, but are intollerably uncomfortable because they are open one side, so there's nothing to keep you in and feeling secure even on the pontoon, and they need to be a good deal wider. So I guess design is everything.
yes thats the problem im haveing with designing my berths in one case i would like them wide like a single bed but then i think they will not be suitable while at sea so i have set them around 450mm wide i just hope they will not be to narrow now
no i was thinking about using 12mm ply hinged which will fold down onto the berth when the lounges are to be used for seating? is the webbing better???
Webing, in my opinion has the advantage to be more flexible and adaptable to hell degree and to sleeper(s) size; moreover, it is easily stowable under the mattress.
Cheers,
Gianenrico
when lying on your side you should be able to put back and feet against one side and knee and elbow against the other without straining, thereby wedging yourself in.
On my boat the internal woodwork hallowed for arpatures at the appropriate positions of your anatomy.i.e. My bunks are reasonably deep but are safe with leecloths in a poor sea state. Howver, when lying down you can raise your legs and the backside will convieniently fit into (in my case) large open locker. i'ts great!
just a (probably daft) idea.... if you have the space and want to have wider setees for in port, but still have a lee-cloth and a 'narrower' berth for use at sea. You could have the berth made at the width you prefer, then ...
(1) have the cushions made with two or three small holes along the line which you would wish to rig the lee cloth.
(2) make holes to match in the plywood supporting the cushions
(3) Make the bottom edge of the lee-cloth with short lengths of tape that can go through the holes in both cushion and under the plywood, fastened underneath by those press-on studs.
(4) attach the lee cloth top edge by whatever means available.
The holes in the button could be 'closed' holes, like a button hole to make them as inconspicous as possible in the cushion (an upholsterer could advise if this is feasible), and the lee-cloths could be rigged on longer passages.
The dis-advantage of this approach is the holes in the cushion, and the fact that you cant just tuck the lee-cloth away quickly when not in use - need to dismantle it.
Another options would be to lead the tapes on the lee cloth through the space between the seat cushion and the seat back - fastened in the corner, and have the lee cloth come across the base of the seat and then up to wherever the top edge will be fastened - this does not have to be at the outer edge of the seat, it could be rigged to give a half-hammock style sleeping space of whatever width suits. This method would also allow you to quickly tuck the cloths away under the settee.