Comfortable berth mattress styles?

[Eagle Lady]

Just curious, what type of mattressing is best? We have 3-4" foam but feels like concrete and makes you feel like you were beaten with a bat in the morning..

[oh_wells]

We just threw a down mattress top in our berth. It doesn't fit tightly but it works and keeps us comfy.

I like Doug's version of putting memory foam down. When we go to build our boat, I'm doing that.

[Eagle Lady]

Hey, we have a down mattress top and memory foam we can try for the next trip, thanks!

Also this is a question I've had since we started on this wonderful journey...

What tips can anyone give on organizing everything to fit without having only a one square foot of space to turnaround in while working in the galley or does everyone do that? Other than getting a bigger boat I mean and leaving everything but underwear at home.

Have viewed lots of great project pictures of added hooks, shelves, cupboards and drawers just need more suggestions and ideas for our 25' EGLLDY.

[Nehalennia]

Hey, we have a down mattress top and memory foam we can try for the next trip, thanks!

Also this is a question I've had since we started on this wonderful journey...

What tips can anyone give on organizing everything to fit without having only a one square foot of space to turnaround in while working in the galley or does everyone do that? Other than getting a bigger boat I mean and leaving everything but underwear at home.

Have viewed lots of great project pictures of added hooks, shelves, cupboards and drawers just need more suggestions and ideas for our 25' EGLLDY.

Well at the risk of hijacking your thread, because my reply isn't about mattresses(although I'd love a memory foam pad)
Mo and I went to Target on Sunday after measuring the galley lockers and stowage locations. We tried to find small and stackable Rubbermaid or Sterlite clear bins that we can organize so each one has a purpose and spot.
We did it on the last boat which had no storage and it worked well. We haven't brought these all back to the boat yet and outfit them all, but we'll see how this upcoming busy weekend goes.

[oh_wells]

We tried the clear hard tubs and weren't super happy with them...just that it can be hard to get to the bottom one when 5 are on top, etc. etc.. They work really well, just not great for us. We use the new ziploc big bags. They are squishable, packable, and all that good stuff. I like them better than the hard tubs and they last a long time. Great for keeping clothes separate, laundry in its own spot, and all those other good things.

As far as galley stuff....stackable anything and everything. Also, with food stuff. I try to prepare as much as possible pre-trip. All my meals are planned, vegetables cut, meat marinating, etc.. This helps with amount of other stuff needed since the major prep is done and lets me enjoy my time with everyone instead of cooking meals.

[voyager]

We use a lot of zip lock bags, nestable pans for the galley, large zipped bags for pillows blankets etc. Even clothes are carried in duffel bags so it can all be collapsed when not in use. My wife even found a soft sided cooler that has a plastic insert inside. When she gets to the boat she puts the plastic insert into the large cooler and folds up the one she brought.

[Randygh]

My boat is alittle longer than yours, but yours is alittle wider. Mine has a nice size cabin for a 26'er, however I wanted to increase stowage space so here are several ideas.

I rebuilt the steps between the cockpit and cabin. There was alot of wasted space behind the steps so I cut a little door to access the area. I store pop, juices, and Perrier in the area.

There was wasted space beneath the galley table so I built a drawer to store eating utensils. It freed up a larger drawer in which to store staples.

I made clothes hammocks (3) on each side of the berth. I store my clothes in the hammocks but it's hard for the Admiral to reach the farthest forward hammock so now we store all the linen on her side of the berth. She uses the previous linen drawer under one of the table seats to store her clothes.

We also purchased a dirty clothes duffle sac that is hung in the head. It's out of the way and is great to take up to the laundry facility at a marina.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Well at the risk of hijacking your thread, because my reply isn't about mattresses(although I'd love a memory foam pad)
Mo and I went to Target on Sunday after measuring the galley lockers and stowage locations. We tried to find small and stackable Rubbermaid or Sterlite clear bins that we can organize so each one has a purpose and spot.
We did it on the last boat which had no storage and it worked well. We haven't brought these all back to the boat yet and outfit them all, but we'll see how this upcoming busy weekend goes.

Big Lots has the best prices on sterile containers...

Dollar store has the smaller ones too...

[Eagle Lady]

I made clothes hammocks (3) on each side of the berth. I store my clothes in the hammocks but it's hard for the Admiral to reach the farthest forward hammock so now we store all the linen on her side of the berth. She uses the previous linen drawer under one of the table seats to store her clothes.

We also purchased a dirty clothes duffle sac that is hung in the head. It's out of the way and is great to take up to the laundry facility at a marina.

Thanks (everyone) for all the great ideas!

I find the little hammocks best for storing things up and out of the way too. I have one for hanging above the range/sink for fruit (no bananas!) but it's much smaller, I think I got it at BW or WMarine. Maybe I just haven't noticed them in other places but where do you find this size or how did you make them?

HEAD STORAGE: If we hang big items in there it can be difficult to use the facilities but have done that with some smaller items... We use one of those folds-up-in-a-pouch, twistie-type mesh bags for laundry.

To Randygh Admiral: I have the same problem reaching the farthest further point in the berth. Because I'm vertically challenged I bought one of those small fold-up steps that at first was a pita but now I can't get by without it.

On another note: A few years ago I found some really neat towel/hand rag holders. They're great to have in the cockpit or under the bait table during fishing season. They look like a small plastic cap or little white hat with a crosscut X on top. They come w/ double stick tape to attach. Mfg's have now made a different style that is clear, made of stiffer plastic & isn't even near as good so if anyone finds these little white plastic hat type would you give a shout?

BTW, any word on fish from anyone?

Thanks!

[Randygh]

Loraine--I made the clothes hammocks. Cheap and simple. The hardest part was drilling a small pilot hole it the fiberglass in which to screw the hooks that hold up the hammocks. The Admiral uses a plastic one-step (about 8" tall) we purchased at IKea. It is still alittle too low for her when she gets in and out of the berth. I like the idea of a small 2 step ladder. The only problem is that it would prevent the mutts from getting to their food and water dishes. I need to do some thinkin' about adding a second step.

For rags in the cockpit, I use old metal shower curtain hangers. They poke right through the scrub down rags and hook beneath the captain's and mate's chairs.