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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Ventilation under cushions

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Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/13/2005 : 21:38:40

I'm looking for something to put under the aft berth mattress/cushion to improve air circulation, eliminate "soggy-cushion" syndrome & reduce mildew.

I tried a search but must be using the wrong key words as I get nothing back. I know about DriDek, but was looking for other options that might work as well but for fewer BU's.

Hints for measuring & installation are also welcome.

Thanks.

Jeff McK
Formerly Event Horizon (sold)
C250 WK #805

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 02/13/2005 : 23:23:10

Jeff,

Try searching on [url="http://forum.cruisingworld.com/forums/genlmesg/"]Cruising World Bulletin Board[/url]. I seem to remember this topic being discussed there recently.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 07:53:15

Leon,

Thanks for the hint. I didn't find anything on the topic in the current index, but is may simply be another case of not enetering the right words. I posted the question there so will wait & see.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 07:57:38

Jeff, I have used a plastic tarp fitted under the mattress for four years with no effects from condensation. However, I do remove and store all mattresses in my warm cellar during the off-season.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 07:57:47

I swing the other way. (I put something on top rather than under.) I got a sleeping bag pad, one of the nice ones that "self inflate" when unrolled. I put it inside a sleeping bag and that lays on top of the quarterberth cushion. It is my mattress, my bedding goes on top of it all. It makes the thin cushion into a nice bed.
I do not understand your soggy cushion reference, My scuppers leaked for a while and I would have had a soggy cushion but I fixed the scuppers. If I had an issue with condensation I think I would leave all cushions on edge when I left the boat.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 02/14/2005 07:58:53

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 10:29:29

Frank,

I'm looking at the condensation that wants to collect in the lowest portion of the aft-berth area. I don't think there are any leaks in the scuppers, but will stay on the lookout for them. Your hint to set the cushions on edge when not using the boat sounds reasonable.

The self-inflating cushions sound like a good thing. That fiberglass is pretty firm.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 11:56:57

I think the cushion under the cockpit sole is pointless. It stays on its edge against the starboard hull with the edge wedged between the hull and the larger cushion. To keep the larger cushion in place I use two throwable PFDs, the cheap hard ones. They are the exact right width to place between the sail locker bulkhead and the large cushion. I have one against the stern and one up by the ladder. I leave the space in between them exposed because my airconditioner is in the bulkhead at that location and I want it to breath as well as possible. The PFD at the stern makes the area fine for my feet and the other end of the cushion is wide enough to sleep on on its own.

Edited by - on

sailing2
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 11:59:42

Practical Sailor reviewed 3 moisture mitigation products in their Oct 15, 2004 issue. I know a couple of people that use HyperVent, which they are pleased with. Contact information as listed in Practical Sailor:

1. HyperVent Marine, 619-224-5626, www.hyperventmarine.com
2. Kendall Products, 800-828-4248, www.dri-dek.com
3. Dry Bunk, 50782-2653

Hope this helps.

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 12:49:45

What you need is just a little air to move between the cushion and the fiberglass. I recall seeing in one of the many sailing magazines where the boat owner cut a piece of inexpensive cedar lattice (like what you use in your garden)and placed this under the cushion. He said that it solved the problem. Instead of cedar, maybe there is plastic lattice available.

Edited by - on

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 14:34:02

Scotty & Ed,

I think this is the stuff I was looking for. The air circulation (or lack of it) if spending the night on the boat was the big issue, and it sounds like a combination of the self-inflating pads & the hypervent might work out.

The DriDek is a plastic mat material & is tad pricey, but practically indestructible.

I think more research is needed, but this is a big help.

Edited by - Jeff McK on 02/14/2005 14:38:51

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 15:35:00

Jeff, I really think your on the right track with the problem being condensation. The vynil bottom materiel on the berth cushions is the bugaboo causing this often reported vapor barrier problem for those slipping in cold water.

Do check however the aft compartment and be sure it is dry. Any accumulation there will spill over the very small lip at the bulkhead and spread out such that it appears the whole area of cushions is sweating. If any water is noted in aft compartment, the fix has been outlined by Oscar and involves getting ones courage up and very carefully drilling weep holes from the compartment into the bilge.

Oscar did a Mainsheet tech offering on this and maybe it can be found in the archives...if needing help, I can probably find it or.... ask Oscar.

Edited by - on

Grego5
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 17:00:40

Here is the link to Oscar's TechTip

http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/tech250/dry.html

I too am looking for something to raise my matress and allow for ventilation between it and the fiberglass. It would be nice to have some added cushion back there as well.

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2005 : 19:34:19

Greg, For added cushion we have purchased some of the egg carton looking mattress pad, cut to the shape of the v-berth, then my wife custom fit a regular fitted mattress pad over the top of that. She did the same for the sheets and comforter. We sleep between sheets, no sleeping bag for this skipper.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2005 : 11:02:12

Have you tried something like "[url="http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|5948|311411&id=15396"]Dry Bunk[/url] ($14.99)"?

<i>"Moisture or mildew problems? Dry bunk can help.
An extraordinary odorless non-toxic sheet of material that absorbs moisture caused by condensation.
Place under mattress or any other surface where moisture collects.
Just air-dry when needed."</i>

I've never used this used this product so I don't know about it's effectiveness, but hey...for $14.99 I'd give it a try.

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2005 : 15:47:55

We have had the same problem. When the kids were little we purchased a quantity of 12" interlocking foam squares as fall protection on the little concrete patio that was our only yard at the time. Now we put them to various uses, I have a row of them in front of the workbench to insulate my feet from the concrete and we use them to sit on at Soccer games at the University. We also put some in the boat to sit on in the cockpit. Recently we tried using them under our mattress and it worked. Moisture no longer condenses on the bottom of the foam pads we sleep on. I think they sell rolls of cheap foam for backpacking that might accomplish the same end.

Edited by - on

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2005 : 07:02:45

Having seen some the foam pads you can get, most of them are "open-cell", which translates into "big sponge". If this stuff sucks up the water it won't evaporate very fast & there really isn't much air flow so you still get a mildew problem. Closed cell foam is nice butthere is no air exchange between it & the fiberglass = moisture collection.

I had looked at "Dry Bunk" as well, but it's still more like an absorbent sheet.

Someone on the CW bulletin board mentioned a product called Enkamat as being similar to Hypervent & a lot cheaper. It's used for drainiage around foundationss & landscaping to hold soil. seems odd, but worth a look.

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2005 : 13:58:48

We use something like the Hypervent product & no longer have problems with condensation in the back bunk. Jeff is right that the Dry Bunk just soaks up the condensation.

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2005 : 02:25:58

Hey Jeff that Enkamat is a good idea! The product you mentioned is a sheet of black plastic with 3/8" high dimples on it. It is used to create a drainage channel between the foundation of the building and the soil piled against it. I would place it with the dimpled side down and the flat side supporting the mattress. Another brand is Miradrain. I'm not sure it you can buy the stuff at a hardware store but a building supply place should have it, at least in northern climes. Places like Florida probably have little use for it.

Edited by - on

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2005 : 07:16:06

Thanks to everyone for their help on this problem. I'm off to the local HD store this weekend to check on some of the "non-marine" items & compare them to the "marine" ones. Right now Hypervent is the leading candidate based on feedback here & other locations.

Edited by - on

Jim Mc
1st Mate

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USA
43 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2005 : 02:12:39

We had condensation problems under the aft berth cushions after adding a high density foam topping mattress (very comfortable). I purchased several 2' x 8' sections of white plastic lattice with frames from Home Depot. They are flexible enough to get into position. I cut them to fit with a sabre saw and then tied the sections together with tie wraps. No more condensation problems.The mattress was a king size, cost about $100 from Sam's Club.

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