New Bed - Topper+Cushion, Latex Pad/Mattress, or Froli +

[jpeac2]

All -

I have fallen deep into the bedding wormhole reading a lot of the threads across this site (this one btw is a great starting point - http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f74/where-to-buy-a-proper-v-berth-mattress-51772.html and this one http://sundownersailsagain.com/boat-cushions-mattresses/). I am trying to get to the bottom of a couple things and am hoping to find someone in here who may have gone down this path previously.

Basically the original pads/cushions on the boat are not comfortable at all to sleep on and since we spend a bunch of time sleeping on the boat I would like to remedy the situation.

As I see it I can do one of the following:
1. Add a latex/memory foam topper to the existing cushions
2. Replace cushions with a memory foam or latex mattress-
- Option 1 - http://www.amazon.com/DreamFoam-Bed...qid=1403542886&sr=1-5&keywords=latex+mattress
- Option 2 - http://www.thefoamfactory.com/mattress/latexmattress.html
- Option 3 - http://www.amazon.com/LUCID®-Gel-Me...id=1403543016&sr=1-20&keywords=latex+mattress
- Option 4 - http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70272144/#/60272149

3. Take out cushions - install froli and add a mattress on top

Anyone go the froli route? Why do that over just a latex mattress/thick pad?

Right now I have a memory foam topper over my vberth cushions and I find the channel created from where the cushions meet to be incredibly uncomfortable.

Question 2 - Furthermore, I find the v berth to have a bit of a negative slope when sleeping head to aft. Anyone do anything to remedy this? Was thinking about cutting a piece of plywood and slightly raise the aft end to level it off.

I am leaning latex due to its moisture resistance and it does not retain heat like memory foam.

Any other input?

 

[Rob2435]

I heard that the memory foam can be very hot.

 

[MSN-Travelers]

Move to the aft berth.

This is a hard one. Most people I know with the 351/352 use the forward berth as "the basement". All of our gear and extra stuff go there and we sleep in the aft berth.

These boats are light for their size. Fore-aft boat trim needs to be addressed. Building some sort of platform is not the answer.

I suspect you may be like a number of owners we've met that use only the aft water tank & leave the forward water tank empty. This tends to leave the boat riding high at the bow. Maintaining a full forward water tank helps with boat trim and also helps the boat sail smoother in typical Lake Michigan chop.

We have an egg crate foam topper in both berths but rarely sleep in the forward berth.

 

[Chief RA]

Use carpet sponge under the existing cushions. I have 2 layers and seems fine but if it isn't, I'll just get another 1/2" layer of carpet sponge and continue adding until happy! Carpet sponge has great density and keeps your bones off the fiberglass. Simple
Chief

 

[Tejas]

We have a Tempur-Pedic at home and Froli under the stock Beneteau forward berth cushions on the boat. Froli was a good improvement but no quite like at home.

 

[jpeac2]

We have a Tempur-Pedic at home and Froli under the stock Beneteau forward berth cushions on the boat. Froli was a good improvement but no quite like at home.

Tejas - Out of curiosity, did you go with the Froli system for comfort or circulation or both?

 

[Gunni]

Previous owner of our boat replaced the stock latex mattress in the master suite with one of those custom inner-spring mattresses. Then they laid that memory foam stuff on top. It was hideous, like being swallowed by a heating pad. I was ready to get rid of everything and decided to start with the memory foam stuff. That cured the problem. The bunk is now as comfortable as home, we like it firm. The upside is that the spring mattress breathes (no condensation underneath), and it is designed to hinge in the middle, so in the winter I simply bend it into an arch that provides maximum air flow for mildew prevention. Have no idea who, or how much, but would replace it if, and when it fails.

 

[davmarwood]

We use a Tufted Topper on top of the stock cushion and added the Froli Sleep System underneath. This combination is comfortable and allows air to circulate underneath the cushions. The Admiral suffers from some spine problems but reports that she sleeps as well or better on the boat as at home.

 

[Beneteau40sailor]

We use a tufted topper over a mattress and sleep great.

The tufted topper really makes a difference

 

[sailrj]

Another vote for the tufted topper over the original foam. Sleeps great and have been amazed how well the original foam has held up.