Buying a mattress for a boat sounds straightforward, until you have to get the new one aboard — and the old one off — by dinghy.
Before we left for the Bahamas we decided we needed new mattresses for SV Aphrodite. How we disposed of the old ones and brought new ones aboard is worth documenting. We are anchored out. We bring everything across the water by dinghy.
We had to replace two of our mattresses. The old beds were eyesores and desperately uncomfortable. One mattress was green foam and the other was a standard-issue cream mattress that had seen better days.
Out with the Old: Removing Our Old Mattresses by Dinghy
Here are some pictures of Rick taking the old mattresses to shore, in the rain, by dinghy.
Buying a Mattress for a Boat by Mail
Using Amazon, we ordered a new mattress for our guest room and master berth.
The new mattresses arrived by UPS in two rectangular boxes. Each box was about the size of a very large duffel bag.
In With The New: Getting the New Mattresses Aboard by Dinghy
Rick transported the boxes from shore, in the dark, by dinghy. Here is a picture of the boxes arriving at the back of our catamaran.
Inside the boxes the mattresses were shrink wrapped and vacuum packed.
It was oddly satisfying to tear open the bags, hear a hiss of air, and watch the beds expand. One of life’s small pleasures. We let the mattresses unfurl for 48 hours before using them.
I can attest that the mattresses are very comfortable. They are pristine and fully encased in soft, waterproof, dust-mite, allergen-free covers.
We purchased these covers separately because a mattress on a boat has to contend with the effects of a marine environment.
If these queen-sized mattresses were any more prim they would be like her majesty herself, wearing white gloves and boxy heels. You’d never guess that they once had a romp out in the open air, flying across the waves in the Florida Keys.
Pin it
If you enjoyed this story, you can save it to your own Pinterest board using one of the images below. Thanks for reading and following our journey.
Look comfy!
Hi Lorraine – just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying reading your blog and following your family’s adventures. Quite a change from when we all went skiing in NY! Dad (Jim) thought I would enjoy it and that is certainly the case! Safe travels and say hello to Rick.
Elizabeth Isroff
Elizabeth
On Wed, Jan 27, 2016 at 11:20 PM, Becoming a Sailor wrote:
> Lorraine Escher posted: “Before we left for the Bahamas we bought new > mattresses for SV Aphrodite. How we disposed of the old ones and brought > new ones aboard is worth documenting. We are anchored out. We bring > everything across the water by dinghy. We had to replace two of our ” >
Elizabeth – you are welcome to come and stay with us for a visit! It would be fun to catch up with you on the islands.
Hi guys, it all sounds beautiful, glad your enjoying the Bahamas. Hope to catch up with you guys, on one island or another. I guess my room has a new mattress, (lol) I’ll be over to give it an on board seafaring comfort test!
Take good care my friends.
Hope to see you soon Carl!
Next time you need mattresses you should contact Starsprings in Sweden. They do the pocket spring systems for the major brands like Ikea, Tempur Sealy, Hästens, Carpe Diem. They can probably make you a pocket system bed with foam top that will let you sleep like your in a $4000 bed at home.