Another memory foam question

[knotflying]

We have been sleeping on the standard v-berth mattresses since we purchased our boat and have not really had a complaint about them. However, you never know what you are missing if you never had the experience. We really want to be able to keep the center cushion removed when the berth is not in use, so hence we have never opted for the topper.
My question is, has anyone attempted to replace the stock foam with Memory foam and if so what thickness did you use and were you satisfied with the results.

Thanks,
Mike Rizzo

 

[South lake]

That is a very interesting idea. We took a cue from Mike and Judy on Just Dreamin' and got a two inch king size mattress topper at Walmart that we cut to fit the whole v berth. We roll it up and stow it in the port side v berth locker when we get up in the morning. Your idea would save the storage space and make putting the bedding together and taking it down much easier. I would also be interested to see if anyone has done that.

 

[baz]

Mike:

I agree with Jeff about your idea/approach being interesting.

I had a similar thought back in early 2010. However, the cost of replacing the v-berth mattresses vs. cost of a Queen size 3" dense memory foam mattress (about $80 on sale at COSTCO) made me re-think this.

We have the 3" memory foam mattress and enjoy it immensely. The disadvantage is as you mention, it can preclude have the center section removed easily and access to the port and starboard storage areas under the v-berth a real struggle.

My current thought about this is to lay three or four 2" wide straps under the foam mattress that are attached to the forward lower sections of the v-berth's walls. When the mattress is not being used it's rolled up as tightly as possible and the 4 straps are then used to hold and secure the mattress up against the bow area in the v-berth. Iv'e made a kind of test run at this and I believe it will work as any bedding can also be left on the mattress as it's rolled up. The rolled up foam mattress and bedding takes up a fair bit of space but does allow for the center section to be removed and with a bit of effort, the storage lockers can be accessed by lifting and propping up the stock mattresses.

As an aside, a bit OT.... the only real issue we have with the foam mattress is that when or if you try to slide on your bum on a foam mattress that is presumably covered with a fitted sheet it's not easy and requires one to use both arms as levers to raise the bum off the fitted sheet to decrease the friction of movement. For this reason, 1st Mate tends to (and does) want to lay sideways (head to starboard) at the v-berth entrance as this means the issue I just mentioned does not really arise. 😉 ...Oh, and I just fit in where I can. :lol: I've even thought of turning the complete v-berth over to 1st Mate and using a cut to shape foam mattress on the center gangway and sleep in a sleeping bag.

 

[Gin]

Our V-berth mattress on our R27 (2013) took an instant dislike to us (and we to it). So before even giving it a second night, we contacted a local mattress maker and replaced the factory foam with latex. He pulled the cover off, detached old foam (it is glued to the back boards), put on new foam, and recovered with same factory cloth. That part worked great.

The new foam was a big improvement, and for those who are reasonably comfortable on the stock mattress, replacing it with 4 inch memory or latex foam might be all you would ever want or need. For us, the factory foam was intolerable. The new foam improved it to the tolerable level, but it still leaves some to be desired.

So we think we will add a topper of some kind. Maybe not until spring. We are thinking a 2" topper might do it. But 3" for sure will. Our home mattress is 10" thick high quality memory foam. Not realistic to expect 4" of any kind or quality of foam to offer that level of comfort.

The latex base, coupled with a good topper, may come close enough. But it will nullify the convenience of the modular mattress pieces if we do a single piece topper, as opposed to making it somehow modular as well. I keep pondering possible ways to do that, but the only good one (having a custom set done by a mattress company) is out of the budget for now.

My understanding is that the R29 & R31 are different set ups mattress wise. Better and thicker foam from the get-go. The issues are greater for us with the shorter tugs. Postings on the forum about the mattress shortcomings are many, and we built our tug knowing we would have to address it post delivery (the factory gave us a flat no on any kind if upgrade)..It is one of the few things (heck, maybe the only thing) where I think the factory has not really addressed actual use and function. Addressing it post delivery can prove very expensive, much more than an upgrade option through the factory would likely need to be, if they were willing to do it.

Still, we love our tug, of course. And our use right now doesn't call for a lot of overnights. So we can easily deal more with it down the road (or waterway).

Gini

 

[knotflying]

Gin,
Thanks for that input. Did your installer glue the latex foam back onto the boards? I assume the glue is to prevent the foam from eventually moving and distorting.

Mike Rizzo

 

[baz]

IMO Gin is right that you will need a 'topper' even if you replace the stock cushion material with something like foam latex etc. The reason is that this material lays on top of a non-flexible board and any softness offered by the new material is greatly reduced even though it may feel better than the stock material. The basic cushions with a topper acts like a real mattress with a box spring base. A real mattress laid on a box spring does not have a hard surface at its base and offers even better comfort.

You might ask R-29/R-31 owners just how their berth mattresses are constructed as they report their beds are quite comfortable with the stock configuration.

 

[circusmar]

We're with South Lake: trimmed king size memory foam to full V-berth, sewed custum matteress cover. Muuuuch better. ZZZZ

 

[Gin]

Mike, I think he glued the foam. Not 100% sure since I didn't see it done and didn't ask. But I think that the fabric would roll and the foam would shift without. As it is, the re-covered foam is taut, the foam sits and stays square on the boards, and it is all very ship shape looking.

Gini

 

[aussie]

We just loved the V berth mattress that came with the our R27 never had a better nights sleep in ages been sleeping on board 4-6 nights a week since we got BLU TUG 😀 😀
Cheers
Peter and Ronie B

 

[Levitation]

Ahhh you Blue people who enjoy sleeping on bare cement are a real drag! 😉

I bought 2" memory foam stuff (King size) from Overstock.Com. Cut out pieces to match the factory cushions and had a sewn cover put on them. Threw that on top of the factory pads. Also bought a foam wedge from the mattress factory who did the sewing that I put it under the new foam at the head. The wedge raises the head and shoulders a bit and then with a regular pillow on top it is home sweet home.
The wedge makes up for the fact that our boat tends to float just a bit high at the bow so that if you lay flat you are sloping down hill.

 

[Gin]

Levitation,

Did you adjust the size of the outbound cushions to accommodate the bolsters? My rough gauge suggested they might need to be trimmed back on the outside edge by 3" or so.

Did you make the covers yourself? And what kind of material are they made of? Did you use the electric knife method to cut to shape?

Gini