V Berth Pad

[dkircher]

Hi all,

After a couple of nights sleeping on the v berth cushions, we quickly decided they are too firm for a good night's sleep. Has anyone found a good pad, for instance a memory foam pad, that helps with this? I've checked out Target, Bed Bath and Beyond and Costco, and can't determine if their stuff will work.

Thanks,

[RicM]

Wallmart sells a very inexpensive memory foam pad in their bedding department that we bought, cut to shape and roll up when not in use and stow behind the seat back in the most forward bow area. A couple of suggestions.....

Go with the thinnest one, 1-1.5 inches I believe it was. I went a little thicker thinking more was better, but even the slight increase in height made it more likely that we would bang shins on the bottom of the forward opening in the 28TE berth.

Use the cover they provide and stitch to shape after you cut the foam to fit. The foam tears pretty easily from the cut edges if not protected.

The increase in comfort is exponential. It makes the bedding softer but also disguises the seams between the cushions so you don't feel them. Definitely worth the trouble.

[poillon1]

We found the memory foam to retain heat. We use just the bumpy foam mattress pads about 2 inches thick, cut to the birth size. We have some extras that we stick down into the cussion seams to make it all flat. We also use an alergy free bed topper. Makes it feel like you are sleeping on a cloud. We take that off regularly and fluff it in the dryer with some tennis balls and a bounce sheet to keep it fresh. We stay on board on weekends plus. so we keep the bedmade up most of the summr season - as a table spring and fall.

[jcollins]

and fluff it in the dryer with some tennis balls and

That's a new one for me. What do the tennis balls do except make alot of noise?

[jcollins]

but even the slight increase in height made it more likely that we would bang shins on the bottom of the forward opening in the 28TE berth.

.

We learned that the first night out at anchor. I slit a couple of those noodles that the kids use at the pool and lined the underside. You can't see it with the cushions down. Saves you shins.

[jleonard]

What do the tennis balls do except make alot of noise

Helps with the LUV making perhaps??

[poillon1]

The tennis balls pound the bedcover and the pillows to get the dust and microbals out. 70% of the weight of a pillow is dust mites after 2 months in a house, imagine how fast that happens on a boat

[DougSea]

The tennis balls pound the bedcover and the pillows to get the dust and microbals out. 70% of the weight of a pillow is dust mites after 2 months in a house, imagine how fast that happens on a boat

Hmmm...never thought of it that way. Just figured they helped "fluff" them. Time to wash the boat pillows - maybe with some ball-bearings!

[RobS]

What do the tennis balls do except make alot of noise

Helps with the LUV making perhaps??

[Nancy]

Resurrecting an old thread . . .

For those who have used memory foam in the 28TE v-berth, how does the thickness of the foam affect the ability to lower the back rests?

We have to do something about the cushions on our boat. They're fine for a few hours, but cause aching shoulders after that.

[RobS]

Couldn't you just roll out an extra foam layer of some sort when needed rather than modifying your cushions?

[Nancy]

Couldn't you just roll out an extra foam layer of some sort when needed rather than modifying your cushions?

Yes, but we're finding it very convenient to leave the bed made up and lower the back rests during the day.

Maybe the original foam is just tired and has lost its resilience? It doesn't seem to bottom out, but it sure isn't comfortable to sleep on. I wonder if new 3" foam of a good quality (whatever that is) would be an improvement. But I don't know whether any 3" foam can be comfortable.

[Carl]

The memory foam pad gets rolled up and stowed behind the flip up cushions when not in the sleep mode. In fact we just roll up all the bedding with it and shove it up in the V. After the trip, the sheets go home and the foam rolled up and stowed. Hope this helps.

[Nancy]

Thanks, Carl.

[Capt Ron]

Chris Jay had the 1.5 inch pad for a few years which was a great addition to the bunk. At a friends suggestion we replaced it with a 3.5 inch model. That was a major improvement. I was a bit worried about stowing behind the seat backs but with a little more squashing effort it rolls right up. Ric is right about the shin area but after a couple of bangs you learn to be cautious.