Make your cruise more comfortable with a new boat mattress
When I bought my used Sabreline 36 a few years back, the mattress in the aft master cabin was less than ideal. It looked very old and may even have been the original 30-year-old mattress from 1990 that came with the boat. Even if it had been upgraded somewhere along the line, it had become thin and lifeless over many years of use. Someone had placed some green foam padding on top to help, but that wasn’t really offering much improvement. Without even addressing the “ick” factor of sleeping on an old, used mattress, we decided to replace it before we slept on board. I unceremoniously rolled up the old mattress with sheets and padding attached and carted it off to the marina dumpster.
In my past magazine days, I had done some business with Handcraft Mattress Company (HMC), so I knew where to go for a new mattress. Run by longtime owner Dave Ogle and his son Brian, HMC provides mattresses as original equipment on some new boat models, and they also build custom mattresses for used boats like mine. They produce different types of mattresses for different applications but specialize in innerspring mattresses. These mattresses use coils/springs, just like high-quality home mattresses, so you are getting a real mattress customized to fit the irregular sizes often found on boats.
I contacted them to discuss my options by filling out their online form and settled on a System 3 medium-firm pillowtop mattress. This is a mid-grade innerspring mattress with a cushioned top. (No more green foam!) The top is fluffy and soft, and the bottom is specifically designed to prevent mold or sweating. HMC also offers other types of mattresses, including Latex and Gel memory foam, but we chose the innerspring. HMC has in-house templates for many popular boat models, so you can sometimes just order new mattresses for your boat. Given the age and lack of detailed cabin drawings of my Sabre, a custom template was necessary. On the HMC website, there is a detailed section that helps you make a pattern. They also have representatives in many areas that can come out and measure for you, but I opted to do it myself.
Creating the pattern
With the walkaround step-by-step guide in hand, I laid some sheets of wide brown paper on the bed platform, taping them together to cover the entire bed area. I then folded the edges so they fit tightly in the exact space and drew a line where the edge of the mattress would sit, following the easy-to-follow instructions I downloaded. I also carefully measured and noted the location of the nightstand area along the side. I then wrote which parts were the head and foot of the bed and added my name and contact information. My bed doesn’t require a hinge, but they are available if needed, and you can indicate on the pattern where you would like the hinge. Creating a template was very easy, as the pattern page guide walks you through the process. I then sent the pattern to the nearest office, which, in my case, was in California; they also have a location in Florida.
Installing the mattress
A few weeks later, a large box showed up containing my custom mattress. I took it down to the marina, wheeled it to the boat in a dock cart, and opened the aft hatch to provide direct access to the aft cabin, where it was designed to go. Carefully removing the mattress from the box, I left it tightly rolled up as it had arrived to help me get it in the boat. It fit snugly into the hatch, and with a firm shove or two, I was able to get it inside. I then laid the mattress in the middle of the platform, removed the protective plastic, and released the straps. The mattress fit perfectly! I had also ordered a mattress pad and some custom sheets, which HMC also sells, and set about making up the new bed. After I got it all set up, I lay back in comfort. Not only did the mattress fit perfectly in the frame, but it also provides the ideal combination of both cushion and support.
Comfort of home
We have had our custom HMC mattress for years now, and it really is amazingly comfortable. To be honest, I think it may be better than our mattress at home. We have spent many nights aboard, and having a real mattress makes all the difference. During the day, when our dog, Callie, and I are on board working on projects and get tired, the mattress is also great for napping. Having a cozy space to read, relax, and sleep, whether on the dock or on the hook, has made our time aboard so much better. In the Pacific Northwest, where we do our cruising, we typically don’t need air conditioning; instead, we often open the hatches to enjoy the ocean breezes, or, if it is chilly, we turn on the Webasto heater and snuggle up beneath the covers on our custom mattress.
There are other mattress companies out there, but I highly recommend Handcraft Mattress Company. They are family-owned, a pleasure to deal with, and make a high-quality product for a fair price. If your onboard sleep is lacking due to a lumpy old mattress or a piece of foam, you will be amazed at the difference a new boat mattress will make. Enjoy the gentle movements of your boat and the sounds of the sea as you slumber in comfort.
https://www.boatbeds.com/how-to-order/
HMC-California: 1131 Baker Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 or
HMC-Florida: 1602 NW 23rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Contact us at sales@hmcwest.com for more information!
