New settee backs allow settees to convert to large bed?

j.hunter9999 · Apr 8, 2009

I've actually been thinking about doing this next winter. It would be great to see pictures, but I already have two ideas. The more difficult idea is to removed the current settee and back, raise it up about 4-6 inches, and put the new back in at the back of the sette (as far outboard as possible. I think this would add about 8-10 inches to the settee...but might make it difficult to sit in.

Option B, which would be a bit easier, is to simply make an extension to the settee that also serves as the settee back. The extension would be removable. So it would serve as the settee back when not sleeping, but would install between the two settees when its bed time. Effectively making a very large berth.

I'll be very interested to see what Walt came up with.

Jack
V2620 - Bella

sailshiva · Apr 8, 2009

Another option for a big comfy bed that I saw on City Zoo, a Vega owned by Bear and Mitzie of Friday Harbor, is to use sections of boards to bridge the gap between the two settees along with a couple pieces of foam to convert the settees into a queen-sized bed. Since the boards and foam are in sections they are easy to remove and store in the V-berth during the day. It looked like a simple, but very effective solution to a good night's sleep.

vegatern · Apr 8, 2009

The gentleman that owned the boat before me had made many improvements, one of them a double bed for the main salon. He attached a mahogany cleat above the sliding doors in the bench faces, perhaps about 14"above the cabin sole ( I'm guessing) and on both benches. He had 4 square cushions made that would span the space over the cabin sole, each supported by a separate square of plywood. When not in use the cushions were stored in the forepeak. It was a very attractive and professional appearing job. I don't use it only because of the space required for storing the cushions, well that and because when the bed is put together the entire boat becomes a bed.
Craig Tern #1519

mitzimouse100 · Apr 11, 2009

Well, the secret of our decadent, king-sized berth is out!

Actually, "City Zoo's" previous (and original) owner devised the
system of a long, sturdy "moulding strip", running the length of each
settee and mounted (with screws and glue) perhaps an inch below the
front edge. He then cut 5 sturdy, one-inch thick pieces of wood
(plywood?), painted them white and numbered them on the back in
sequence (there is a subtle difference in the width of the walkway
from fore to aft). He originally slid the 2" port cushion (one inch
less in thickness to become level with 3" thick starboard cushion)
over onto the suspended central "platform" to make a "double" berth.
Unfortunately, this leaves the center lacking 1" of comfort plus the
possibility of rolling off, to the cushion-less port, in the middle
of the night!

We took it a step further and made a separate long cushion to fill
the center section, which stores in the forepeak with the 5 numbered
boards during the day. We also went to 4" thick cushions with 3" for
the center. King sheets fit perfectly, and there's the added humor of
crawling about, from side to side, to make it up. If you use one of
the foreward settee backs as a "headboard", your pillows won't fall
through the gap into the galley!

One or two of the boards may also be used, on their own, as handy
small "tables" for snacks or drinks when lounging about the cabin,
once the "playpen" is dismantled.

Perhaps one could make the board top placement level with the settee
base (so, all three cushions could be equal depth or thickness) but
there might not be sufficient structural strength to attach the
strips to, lower on the settee face?

Great comfort, room to stretch out and, if you need to stow some
gear, the "tunnel" below fits duffels, etc. out of the way.
I'll try to post some photos soon.

Mitzi Johnson Vega 1590
"City Zoo"

tom_rutter · Apr 14, 2009

Hi All,
I did something similar recently. But perhaps not quite as professional a
job. (For the Vega owners in the UK, this is more Practical Boat Owner than
Yachting World...)

I went to IKEA and bought some SULTAN LIARED bed slats (70cm width is
ideal):

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www.ikea.com

They\'re just sprung slats attached together by a bit of webbing stapled on
at each end. They pack up small and can be held together with a small strap
for storage during the day (approx size 70cm x 5cm x 15cm). I will need to
varnish them at some point so they\'re less likely to complain about any
damp. Then I screwed a thin strip onto the bunks to stop these sliding too
far to each side. Once the slats are installed spanning the gap between the
bunks I move the cushion from the port side bunk to the middle to make a
wider bed. This is great for me as I\'m longer than the bunks and I can now
hang my feet over the end! My girlfriend is happy on the starboard side. I
like the idea of making an additional cushion for the middle section though
- might have to give that a go. The thin ridge under the cushions doesn\'t
seem to be noticable (so far - we\'ve only been away for 3 days with this
system). Eventually, I\'d like to put some dry mesh underneath the rear of
the cushions, and this will make up some of the difference. Total cost is
about £15 so far, but this will increase if I add the extras.

I\'ve also found cheap 7V LED spotlights at IKEA, and I\'m going to try them
in series to replace the main cabin lights (as there\'s already a switch for
those). I\'ll update the group if it works out (if I don\'t send a message,
then it\'s probably a big mistake!)

Regards,
Tom

2009/4/11 Mitzi Johnson <mitzi@...>

New settee backs allow settees to convert to large bed?

Andy Toomey

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j.hunter9999

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sailshiva

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vegatern

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mitzimouse100

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tom_rutter

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Home & Outdoor Furniture - Affordable Well Designed