How to get a softer berth?

[Les Blackwell]

Hello all,

Once again, thanks for all your advice. We followed it. We now have two 3 inch memory foam mattress pads installed in our RT 25SC adagio. And with somebodies advice we encased them with Sunbrella interior fabric. Very soft. The Squalicum marine upholstery did the job for me and they look good and if my first "lay-down" is any sample I'll be a happy man. We picked a color almost the same as the cushions that are in the boat. They did the measuring, cutting and coverings. I think 3 inch was the proper size--nice and comfortable.

We're almost ready for our second shakedown cruise, perhaps to Spencer Spit in the San Juans. One of my favorite places.

Thanks again.

 

[Todd2]

We are not fans of foam so purchased the "Topper" mattress from YachtBedding.com for our 25. Expensive ($850) but a real mattress and extremely comfy. We are happy we made the decision to purchase the product. I customized sheets and a comforter, which wasn't that difficult, so we saved a little there. The mattress bends easily so we can get to the V-berth storage without too much trouble.

Pictures in our album "Mott Pelican."

We've been sleeping on the stock cushions of our R27 (with only a sheet set on them, and a blanket). My partner says they are way too hard for her, but she knows I have a bad back and need a firm mattress, so she's trying to be accommodating. To be honest the stock cushions are a bit too stiff for me to sleep well on them, also. So here I am, looking for a suitable solution. The "Topper" 'set' lists for $1399. The "Stow and Go" 'set' lists for $825. Those prices are insane! ;-) Could you (or anyone else) please give me your opinions and answer a few questions to help me make the right decision? Thanks in advance.

TOPPER:
Your pic does look like you have the "Topper". The site says its made of 2" thick latex or 2" thick memory foam. Under the Ranger Tug section they only mention latex. Is this what you have? You also stated, "We are not fans of foam so purchased the "Topper" mattress ". I assume this means a thick mattress made only of foam. Does 2" noticeably (or negatively) affect the headroom? I once had a no-name discount memory foam mattress that was way too soft and way too hot in the summer (no idea of the firmness #s). Do you sleep on top of the Topper 'mattress' or do you sink in and sleep like a boomerang. I would assume you can't sink too far into a 2" thick 'mattress'. But, some high-end hotels I've stayed at had very thick cushy pillow-top mattresses (that they advertised as super plush) that I sunk into and hurt my back, terribly. I now have the brand name "Sleep Number" bed and keep it pumped up to at least 80 out of 100. That seems to work well for me.

STOW AND GO:
I'm not really sure what "a quilted sack with 2 different weights of batting" actually is. Would this realistically be of much/any benefit (beside looking pretty)? Does it 'soften' up the stock cushions? Does it have a "coverlet" (bead spread), or is the colorful part the quilted sack you sleep on TOP of (or underneath)? The description isn't really clear at all.

I'm glad you wrote that the Topper can still fold enough to easily get to the storage, or else that would be a deal killer for me. Is the Topper's "coverlet" like a fitted bedspread that you sleep under by folding over to pull back the top sheet when you want to go to bed (like a regular bed) and then use it to cover the bed during the day so it looks made? I do want a dedicated bed, as I'm never going to stow everything (somewhere?) and use the bow for seating.

OK, I hope I gave enough background info to give you an idea of what I'm looking for. Any other comments that you think would be useful to me would be realty appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Todd

 

[captstu]

One word of caution. Our 3" one piece foam cut from a king piece was so comfortable it cost us a fortune to replace our bed at home.

Now both beds are comfortable - best sleep I've ever had.

I would caution not to cut the foam in individual pieces - part of the quality of the project is there are no seams and as I roll around at night I don't fall into cracks.

Same caution we had two Temprapedic matresses at home that we replaced with a single latex bed bcause the lack of the seam on he Ranger drove us to expect the same comfort at home.

Project done, I sleep better than ever.

 

[Red Raven]

Stow and Go : I'm not really sure what "a quilted sack with 2 different weights of batting" actually is. Would this realistically be of much/any benefit (beside looking pretty)? Does it 'soften' up the stock cushions? Does it have a "coverlet" (bead spread), or is the colorful part the quilted sack you sleep on TOP of (or underneath)? The description isn't really clear at all.

We have the Stow and Go version. It is a v shaped sleeping bag with Velcro sewn inside to hold custom sized sheets with Velcro that fit the bag. The 2 weights of padding are not significantly different (I can't tell which side is which). The padding does not "soften" up the stock cushions much. We both like a firm mattress and sleep pretty well as is but are considering adding something more. Haven't decided yet. Easy access to the storage underneath is a must.

Curt

 

[pricelowe]

We just used a feather bed topper that breathes. Stay away from Chinese feather beds as they do not wash the feathers like they do in Canada, US or Europe/UK. We sleep in heaven now with the occasional lapping of the water.

We did not find a need to do more or go to the expense of new mattresses, chemical induced memory foam that has a tendency to retain moisture, etc.

 

[Todd2]

Thanks for the explanation Curt. I read and re-read the manufacturer's description numerous times and came up with several possibilities, but not even close to the one you described. LOL Thanks again - I understand what it is now.

Todd