V-berth on smaller boats

[Lazarus]

I'm just settling in to a 23' sloop for an extended voyage, partly by land and partly by sea. I've slept aboard small boats where the fo'c'sle was only for sail storage, to larger yachts where the fore cabin was substantial enough to walk around the bed. On my 23 footer, the v-berth is about 6'6" from aft to peak. My question is a trivial matter, but one that I have vacillated on from time to time; is it best to sleep with your head fore or aft on such a berth? With two sleepers it's pretty obvious that heads fore gets quite intimate (and crowded) and it's often best just to 'play footsies'. Unfortunately, I am sleeping alone these days, and having tried it both ways I still haven't made a decision which way I prefer.

As I said, it's a trivial matter. I would like to hear other people's thoughts, if anyone cares to spend the time to reply.

Best regards,
Cap'n Lazarus

 

[teebutch]

On my boat I sleep with my head aft. Because my hatch gives me fresh air to my head area.

 

[Eddie7045]

Head aft. In a small sailboat V-berth that is pretty

much the only way and it is contrary to the conventional head forward that you would otherwise practice. For one thing your body is built wider on top at your shoulders. Then there is the claustrophobic feeling of looking into the cramped forward space. On a Catalina 27 I had the biggest problem as I had to crawl through a somewhat narrow opening through the bulkhead and then rotate within a small space to be head aft. Leaving I had to rotate again to stick my feet back out through the bulk head so that I could sit up in the opening of the bulkhead to drop my feet to the floor of the main cabin. On an Ericson 32 I did the same thing but the increased space inside the V-berth area and larger opening through the forward bulkhead made it much easier.

 

[Lazarus]

Re: Head aft. In a small sailboat V-berth that is pretty

Seems getting in and out of the berth is much easier if I just crawl in head first. It's only slightly claustrophobic, and ventilation is adequate. It's preferable to sitting on the berth and trying to turn around. Now, if I had a grab-bar overhead, feet first wouldn't be a problem! Hmmm. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Justin_NSA]

Being a big fan of The Big Bang Theory, I'd go with Sheldon's advice:

Sheldon: [as Penny makes up the couch to sleep on she puts the pillow on the end of the couch closest to the door] Hmm-hmm, wrong.
Penny: [Turning to face Sheldon with a glare] I'm listening.
Sheldon: Your head goes on the other end.
Penny: Why?
Sheldon: It's culturally universal. A bed, even a temporary bed, is always oriented with the headboard away from the door. It serves the ancient imperative of protecting oneself against marauders.
Penny: I'll risk it.

 

[jibes138]

Head aft your breath will cause an accumulation of co2 and if the boat is pitching the most motion is at the bow

 

[CaptDon01]

I didn't care for having to back into the V-berth, plus, as on many smaller trailerable boats, the head is located under the V-berth. I didn't care for having to move the porta-potty either. Being that it's just my wife, our little dog, and I spending the night on the boat, and being that our boat has nice long quarter berths, we modified our boat converting the V-berth area to a luggage storage and head area. The curtin provides potty-privacy, and the use of ther head is more comfortable with the additional room, and best of all, with only 2 berths, no overnight guests!

Don

 

[LuzSD]

If you are alone, have you tried port to starboard? I notice that once my mate has left the v berth, I slide a little sideways and its a good sleep. Rocks more like a cradle that way... Give it a try!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Laz, good answers so far. On our C22, one of the oft-mentioned owners mods was to make up a filler of plywood or other material in the main cabin so as to use the dinette seat cushion backs as the cushions over the plywood. Many with C25s have done the same. Maybe you could do some research on the web about your boat and any owners group. Head aft in a V berth, if big enough, do as Luz suggests.

 

[LuzSD]

Oh yeah, Stu you are right! On our c27 we added a support piece and made up a double bed! Gotta be somewhat light peeps though!

 

[Lazarus]

Cant argue with logic like Sheldon's. Thanks for sharing that. I think when sleeping alone, head first suits me best. I appreciate everyone's input!

 

[troutman]

My wife insists that our heads are towards the north. We rearranged our bedroom just for that purpose. At first I scoffed at the notion that somehow the magnetic pole sleeping orientation would make a difference but now I am open to the idea that it does.

 

[Don-MT]

My wife insists that our heads are towards the north. We rearranged our bedroom just for that purpose. At first I scoffed at the notion that somehow the magnetic pole sleeping orientation would make a difference but now I am open to the idea that it does.

Facing north seems to help the Red Fox when hunting mice that are under the snow.

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/north-america/animals/red-fox.htm

Shine On!

Don

 

[sinnettc]

We have a compression post right in the way of getting into the v-berth so, like Don, ours is essentially a big locker. Plus the Admiral is somewhat claustrophobic and the v-berth in a Capri 22 is not at all spacious. We sleep on the quarter berths.

 

[Eddie7045]

Same here. When my wife's angry she gets

claustrophobic and I wind up on the couch.