Any 35.5 Legend owners upgrade to a mattress for the large aft berth? If so I would appreciate pricing, vendor names and phone #'s, web addresses and any other information or suggestions. I know this is not an inexpensive upgrade; was the cost worth the increase, if any, in comfort? Thanks to all who respond in advance, Pat
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Same Problem
Pat, I hope someone responds to your request. I am having the same problems with the thin matress in the aft cabin of my 35.5. There must be a way to replace it at a reasonable price.
Pat, I hope someone responds to your request. I am having the same problems with the thin matress in the aft cabin of my 35.5. There must be a way to replace it at a reasonable price.
Jim Rushing......
Jim, Yes, it is a problem. Especially if you spend a lot of time aboard as I do. The foam compresses after a time and offers little or no support. I found an outfit that makes custom mattersses: Handcraft Mattress Co., Inc. Email: mkboatbeds@aol.com. Contact John Larson. Voice mail: 800-241-7751. Web site: www.boatbeds.com. They need the longest and widest dimensions to give a price quote. I have not yet been able to supply them with that information since I haven't been able to get to the marina for the past several weeks. If you find out anything feel free to contact me at captainpat@prodigy.net The mattresses they make are of 3 or 4 thicknesses and price ranges. I get the impression that it is not an inexpensive purchase! Good luck, Pat
Jim, Yes, it is a problem. Especially if you spend a lot of time aboard as I do. The foam compresses after a time and offers little or no support. I found an outfit that makes custom mattersses: Handcraft Mattress Co., Inc. Email: mkboatbeds@aol.com. Contact John Larson. Voice mail: 800-241-7751. Web site: www.boatbeds.com. They need the longest and widest dimensions to give a price quote. I have not yet been able to supply them with that information since I haven't been able to get to the marina for the past several weeks. If you find out anything feel free to contact me at captainpat@prodigy.net The mattresses they make are of 3 or 4 thicknesses and price ranges. I get the impression that it is not an inexpensive purchase! Good luck, Pat
Latex Mattress too.
Pat: Have you looked into a latex mattress? They are solid latex rubber. They have no springs to rust. They are cool in the summer and warmer in the winter. We have friends that have them at home and love them. They last longer than a interspring mattress too. Check around, they sell these at regular mattress shops. Just to let you know, they are not much if any cheaper!
Pat: Have you looked into a latex mattress? They are solid latex rubber. They have no springs to rust. They are cool in the summer and warmer in the winter. We have friends that have them at home and love them. They last longer than a interspring mattress too. Check around, they sell these at regular mattress shops. Just to let you know, they are not much if any cheaper!
Great thing about Latex
You can fold/bend it enough to get a one-piece mattress into your boat. With an innerspring, you need a two-piece mattress because a single mattress won't fit through the companionway.
You can fold/bend it enough to get a one-piece mattress into your boat. With an innerspring, you need a two-piece mattress because a single mattress won't fit through the companionway.
just ordered one
We just ordered a Handcraft Mattress (see Pat's response) as a joint Christmas present for my wife and I, on our 37.5.The dimensions and placement are similar for the 35.5, but that's beside the point since they will come out to your boat and do a custom measure before ordering it. That way they can take into account any concerns, like cabinet doors in the way etc, for the taller height mattress. I believe there have been quite a few articles in the past on this site about HMC and their products, and we have friends that have the mattresses, all very positive comments. We tried out the various mattresses at the Annapolis Boat Show. The prices range I believe from about $1,100 to over $2,000, depending which model of about 6 different types you order, for full-size (approx. 52" wide). They come in all sizes and even offer custom sheets etc..The pricier models are the ones that have inner-springs and mattress toppers etc. We chose a latex one, 7.5" thick. One of the biggest draws to me, is that for only an additional $50 they will include a 4" mattress "extension" on one side. That may not work on the 35.5, but on our boat, that means we get an additional and very valuable 4" of extra sleeping width that we don't currently have. Yes! The extension is part of the mattress, but sits on top of the fiddle going the length of the bed. (For years, I had contemplated widening the bed platform to gain say 6" or so, but it would have cost way more than $50 and labor.) Delivery takes 2-3 weeks from time of order.
We just ordered a Handcraft Mattress (see Pat's response) as a joint Christmas present for my wife and I, on our 37.5.The dimensions and placement are similar for the 35.5, but that's beside the point since they will come out to your boat and do a custom measure before ordering it. That way they can take into account any concerns, like cabinet doors in the way etc, for the taller height mattress. I believe there have been quite a few articles in the past on this site about HMC and their products, and we have friends that have the mattresses, all very positive comments. We tried out the various mattresses at the Annapolis Boat Show. The prices range I believe from about $1,100 to over $2,000, depending which model of about 6 different types you order, for full-size (approx. 52" wide). They come in all sizes and even offer custom sheets etc..The pricier models are the ones that have inner-springs and mattress toppers etc. We chose a latex one, 7.5" thick. One of the biggest draws to me, is that for only an additional $50 they will include a 4" mattress "extension" on one side. That may not work on the 35.5, but on our boat, that means we get an additional and very valuable 4" of extra sleeping width that we don't currently have. Yes! The extension is part of the mattress, but sits on top of the fiddle going the length of the bed. (For years, I had contemplated widening the bed platform to gain say 6" or so, but it would have cost way more than $50 and labor.) Delivery takes 2-3 weeks from time of order.
The Problem
Pat, the problem with going to a coil spring mattress is that you must be able to reach the thru hulls under the mattress. This says that anything that you use must be split in some fashion. I know that there are foam materials that are more dense than what Hunter used in the 35.5. I just haven't had time to research them yet. My goal for the next few months is to gain axcess to the holding tank thru a panel in the bulkhead of the aft cabin. Then I will replace it with a much larger tank and new hoses. Next project ater that is the aft mattress one.
Pat, the problem with going to a coil spring mattress is that you must be able to reach the thru hulls under the mattress. This says that anything that you use must be split in some fashion. I know that there are foam materials that are more dense than what Hunter used in the 35.5. I just haven't had time to research them yet. My goal for the next few months is to gain axcess to the holding tank thru a panel in the bulkhead of the aft cabin. Then I will replace it with a much larger tank and new hoses. Next project ater that is the aft mattress one.
Matress Access Blocking
Jim brings up a good point: Access. The matress on our H-35 blocks access to the through hulls used for the raw water cooling. Whenever the engine sucks up some eel grass and it can't be cleaned from the strainer then I have to shut the water off, disconnect the hose, and sometimes rod the thru hull. Usually this problem occurs at the worst possible time. The bedding, matress, and access panels have to be moved out of the way so I can work. Needless to say, this is more than just an inconvenience and a one piece matress would not be what I would want. Knowing what one needs to access perhaps the matress may be designed to optimize access to those critical areas you need to get to.
Jim brings up a good point: Access. The matress on our H-35 blocks access to the through hulls used for the raw water cooling. Whenever the engine sucks up some eel grass and it can't be cleaned from the strainer then I have to shut the water off, disconnect the hose, and sometimes rod the thru hull. Usually this problem occurs at the worst possible time. The bedding, matress, and access panels have to be moved out of the way so I can work. Needless to say, this is more than just an inconvenience and a one piece matress would not be what I would want. Knowing what one needs to access perhaps the matress may be designed to optimize access to those critical areas you need to get to.
Thanks all....Jim...
Thanks everyone for the information. The latex solution is one to consider....will investigate further. Jim, I did what you are about to; installed an access hatch in the aft bulkhead and replaced the holding tank/hoses. Also, will re-locate the vent hose outboard this spring. Pat
Thanks everyone for the information. The latex solution is one to consider....will investigate further. Jim, I did what you are about to; installed an access hatch in the aft bulkhead and replaced the holding tank/hoses. Also, will re-locate the vent hose outboard this spring. Pat
Hinged mattress
To address the access issue, Handcraft and the other custom manufacturers offer hinge options. Essentially the mattress is one piece, but can be ordered with a hinge (or two) anywhere, so that part of the mattress can easily be flipped back on itself and out of the way for access to whatever. Bedding and all goes with the "flip." We ordered a hinge in a particular spot on our mattress for access purposes. $125 option.
To address the access issue, Handcraft and the other custom manufacturers offer hinge options. Essentially the mattress is one piece, but can be ordered with a hinge (or two) anywhere, so that part of the mattress can easily be flipped back on itself and out of the way for access to whatever. Bedding and all goes with the "flip." We ordered a hinge in a particular spot on our mattress for access purposes. $125 option.
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