Need a Softer Mattress for Tomcat

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peterbrownell

New member
In the forward berth of our Tomcat we have the factory foam cushions plus a ~two inch "egg crate" foam over pad. For a weekend it is OK but by the second evening, the admiral is having an increasingly uncomfortable sleep.

I will be retiring this spring and we are planning some longer trips so are in the market for a more serious mattress. Have thought about 1) adding more foam, 2) adding / replacing with an air mattress (12 or 110 volt inflation pump), 3) custom spring mattress, 4) custom memory foam, etc. Want to make sure we don't block the access to the anchor locker and forward storage hatches.

Anyone have experience or suggestions on possible alternatives for beefing up the forward sleeping quarters? Like to keep the cost down but a comfortable rest on a long trip is a real priority so willing to invest in this one if we have to.

Spring is just around the corner :-)
 
Peter,

A new mattress for my Tomcat is in the plans also. I saw a local manufacturer of custom mattress at the Seattle Boat show and I'm taking measurements today to get a quote from those guys. I have no idea what it will cost but there's two issues I want to solve with a new mattress. First is the comfort issue. The TomCat is a big enough boat that one can reasonably plan to spend a week or two (or more) on it. Really living on it merits a better mattress in my opinion and a REAL mattress as opposed to a chunk of foam would be good. Second, there's a lot of storage in the sponsons but it's hard to access with the mattresses on it. Especially with the mattress split fore-to-aft since it's difficult to shift the entire piece from side to side to access the storage. At present, I'm planning on a design that the mattress split into two pieces with the main split running port to starboard.

Then the aft most mattress (the one closest to the entrance) will be further split into 3-4 pieces that are hinged. The company at the boat show had some really nice hinged mattresses where the hinge was essentially a pillow top. As a result, when the mattress was flat, there was no noticeable gap in the top and it seemed quite comfortable to lie on. The motivation for splitting the aft mattress into 3-4 pieces is so that I can simply flip one piece up and over to access the storage. I think I will need 4 pieces so that the hinged pieces are short enough to rotate and clear underside of the deck. Once I get it all measured out and priced, I'll re-post here. I'll also ask if there would be any bulk order discounts in case anyone else is interested this and I'll try to get a rough estimate of shipping costs (which might be the killer in such a deal for those who aren't local).
 
We replaced the stock foam in the factory mattress covers (later recovered) with higher quality, and firmer, pieces (same thickness). Then we had a one-piece topper of softer (not eggcrate, not memory) 2" foam covered to match the main mattress. It is very comfortable. We lived on it for 3 months in Florida, and many other shorter trips, with no complaints.

Unfortunately the gal in Bellingham who did our work appears to have become a victim of the recession, so if we need further work in the future we will have to go looking. Will be interested in Roger's guy. I seem to recall that we spent about $400.

Warren
 
We had the same problem with the cushions in Journey On. A sign of our advancing age, I guess. Remember the days when you could sleep in the back of a pickup with just a sleeping bag?

However since time moves on, we got topper foam for the V-berth: 3" topper foam. Trimmed to fit. Solved that problem without measuring, etc, and without a lot of money.

When the grandkids are on the boat they and their mom get the V-berth, Judy gets the table and I get the cockpit floor with a foam camping pad. Maybe time doesn't move on.

Boris
 
2" of memory foam has fixed the mattress for us. We have spent months sleeping in the TomCat. The memory foam will eventually crease and tear if you repeatedly fold it, to access the storage underneath. We are due for another memory foam topper.

Brent
 
We also use a 2" memory foam topper--for me it is perfect--Marie wants something softer, but she is OK with it. We just got a "Sleep Number" bed at home, with 3" memory foam on top--and love it. I am sure that we could have done it cheaper--and probably will use one of the alternatives on the RV.

The disadvantage of the topper is that it is heavy to lift when you need to access the lockers under the bunk. We did not hinge or move it--we just lift the entire matress and put objects in the way to hold it up while we get what we need from under the bunk.
 
There is a real difference between the memory foam and the egg crate stuff. We are on our second memory foam topper (2") in Wild Blue. I had occasion a couple weeks ago to sleep in there without the foam... BIG difference.

Before spending the big bucks on all new cushions or a custom made mattress, you might consider the memory foam.

Jim B.
 
Yes. GOOD quality "memory" foam. Worked like a charm along w/ a Trava-Sak on top. Check Costco; they had them for ~$100 or so.

The original foam is crappy quality IMO. There are multiple varieties of foam in varying firmness. I think they probably used the least expensive possible.
 
I've had the memory foam before and while it was comfortable, it would also be a PITA in terms of accessing the storage underneath. Regardless of what I do, I definitely need to redesign the mattress configuration to make it easier to access the storage.
 
We also have a memory foam pad. Susan was able to make a cover for it out of flanel sheets from good will. It works really well and saves my hips from hurting.
 
I realize I never posted what I did here as I promised above. Here's an image of the measurements I took of the berth in the TomCat. I wound up making 3 mattresses - the areas shown in blue, pink and red.

TomcatMattress1.jpg

Here's the net result

NewMattresses.sized.jpg

and
AccessToSponsonWithNewMattresses.sized.jpg
 
rogerbum":1bafvopd said:
I realize I never posted what I did here as I promised above. Here's an image of the measurements I took of the berth in the TomCat. I wound up making 3 mattresses - the areas shown in blue, pink and red.
Click to expand...

Where does one get a real mattress made?
 
localboy":150cganf said:
rogerbum":150cganf said:
I realize I never posted what I did here as I promised above. Here's an image of the measurements I took of the berth in the TomCat. I wound up making 3 mattresses - the areas shown in blue, pink and red.
Click to expand...

Where does one get a real mattress made?
Click to expand...
I had mine made at Slumber Ease Mattress factory in Marysville WA. They were nice people and easy to deal with. A "mom and pop" kind of shop. I'm sure the cost of the mattress for a 22 or a 25 would be less than what I paid for the Tomcat as pricing is approximately proportional to size.

I also ordered 600 thread count custom fitted sheets from Dream World Design in Utah. Very nice sheets around $200/set (I take my linens seriously).
 
***
We old people :roll: solved our matress problem
economically
by going to WallyMart and purchasing a 4" King Sized memory foam matress.........
leaving the existing matress in place,
(We are now sleeping on a total of about 7" of matress.)

I then cut the memory foam to the exact size.

We were then able to use fitted sheets for the bottom sheet,
then used the sewing machine we make the top sheet fitted at the foot end.

In the morning this allows for much easier bed making.

Now...........
I had to switch the three storage doors as illustrated in one of the pictures above to allow for easy access.
This was easy....but............some new screw holes had to be drilled.
It was not a simple 180 degree switch.

This all has made Lady KC great for sleeping, bed making and storage access.

***
 
billtwymank":34d8y132 said:
I had to switch the three storage doors as illustrated in one of the pictures above to allow for easy access.
This was easy....but............some new screw holes had to be drilled.
It was not a simple 180 degree switch.
Click to expand...

I am not visualizing this -- can you post photos? Thanks!

Warren
 
***

Morning Warren:


Check out page one of this subject,
DNA's second picture.......

note how his storage doors,
open from the top,
hinge at the bottom.

Lady KC were the opposite to start with....
after rework.......now the same as DNA,
.....open from the top,
which makes it so much easier for access to stored items,
now that we have about 7" of matress,
in front of these storage doors.

latttttter........

***
 
OK, i finally got it. I thought you were talking about the sponson storage but you are talking about the chain locker forward and the two other compartments flanking it. I agree, a better solution and one I may implement on my TC as well.

Warren
 
I just purchased a queen sized 4" memory foam topper via Boris's link from Overstock.com for 78 dollars. I'm going to take my current cushions cut the sides on the covering remove the current material use them as a template and cut new cushions out of the queen sized mattress memory foam topper and reinstall them into the covering with the addition of some zippers. Worse comes to worse I can reinstall the old hard stuff. Since we use a Travel Sack for bedding it still allows us to access the storage areas below the individual cushions. Really couldn't see dropping a grand plus on bedding materials. But that is just me. I'll put some pictures up when I get it down. Hopefully before we go out west.
D.D.
 
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