Width of bunks

[Danbury]

I'm in the process of re-jigging some of the interior layout... and I was wondering what would be considered as the minimum width of a single berth ? From my crude mock-ups I think 24" is fine, but I know that for domestic beds, 30" is the smallest. The bunk would be for "normal" use, not as a temporary sea berth, so I would imagine somewhere were you could sleep and maybe read a book or something...

Any thoughts ?

 

[lw395]

Ian Nicholson gives good guidance in one of his books IIRC, always worth a bit of reading before sawing.

 

[Danbury]

Ian Nicholson gives good guidance in one of his books IIRC, always worth a bit of reading before sawing.

Thanks... just found a book online and ordered.

 

[LadyInBed]

I would say as wide as you have room for, and whilst you are at it, how about a hinged backrest section for laying and reading.

 

[Blueboatman]

They can be narrower at the foot of course,even in the middle of the boat. And a shaped foam base and back mattress will assist in keeping you ' in' at sea or comfortable when seated too..

Absolute minimum surely is shoulder width with a canvas lee cloth rigged ( which can bulge slightly ahem).

Wide flat berths can ( can) be unusable at sea without copious stuffing with cushions and spare bedding, if you see thinking of doing a lorra continuous sailing..?

If in doubt, copy your favourite one that 'works' for you on any boat, perhaps.

 

[theoldsalt]

Minimum width should allow one to roll over without falling off the edge - so it depends on a person's girth. In my case the width of the boat !!

 

[pcatterall]

My mattress is here it is 23 inches at the widest. It seems about the same size as other boats.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

From The Boat Data Book, the minimum width at the shoulders and hips is 530 mm; OAL 1981mm. If you want to shape the berth then the minimum recommendation is 330 mm at the feet, tapering over 800 mm to the minimum width; at the head the minimum is 405 mm, tapering over 405 mm to the minimum width. The 'tapering over' length is measured at right angles from the head/foot board.

The picture in the book shows one side straight along the 1981 mm which is obviously the hull side.

 

[Greenheart]

...whilst you are at it, how about a hinged backrest section for laying...

Great Scott! Not here on the forum, old chap! Or...did you mean lying?

 

[idomeneus5]

Just slightly off thread, Having gutted my Roberts 25, I decided when rebuilding, that i wanted ''really'' comfortable seats and bunks, no more caravan style slab seats and foam cushions, So I've installed the froli
spring system in the front v berth under 4 inch foam. Perfect (for me). I found an old ikea 3 seater lounge suite on the footpath "free to good home". I pulled it a part (only six bolts), then after moderate rebuilding have installed it in the saloon, extremely comfortable, seat base is shoulder width from "head to waist" then tapers slightly toward feet. Although I didn't do it in this instance, The "Purdeys" (fitting out for cruising dvd) recomend making a "gap" between the top of seat cushion and bottom of back rest, which allows a slightly narrower seat base but is still comfortable to stretch out on as your hips etc are able to "fit" into the gap. (hope that made sense) cheers Peter