GL: Boat mattresses

[Larry]

This topic qualifies for a theory of mine that " there are eight ways to 
do anything and given fair consideration seven of them are not bad" At 
any rate we just finished building our mattress and would say much 
depends on the shape size of the bed. Ours is in the bow and is not only 
odd shaped but tapers in the vertical with the hull for  the forward one 
third.

I am a 30 year huge fan of latex and bought a queen at cost through a 
store I recently managed. Still it was $450 ($1k retail)and weighed 
about 100 lbs. I have valuable storage for bulky items under the berth 
and had visions of getting trapped under the mattress if it flipped down 
on me while searching for the toilet paper. So I reluctantly returned  
it and  elected  to DIM (like DIY but more personal.

Step one was to buy 7.5 yards of 24"X3" X 72'  green upholstery foam at 
JoAnn's sewing and crafts store ( a chain with widespread outlets). On 
sale 50% off total was $75. This is a good stable foam of medium to firm 
density.

Step two was to make a paper heavy brown paper pattern of the bed with 
notations for the top and bottom outlines.

Step three was to lay out the pieces of foam in a general shape of the 
bed and glue the edges together with contact cement bought in a quart 
pickle jar ($5 cash) from a local auto upholstery and headliner shop. 
The head liner adhesive is a superior product  to any of the big box 
contact offerings.

Step four was to mark the the green foam per the pattern and cut with an 
electric kitchen knife. Cuts quite easily and accurately.

Step five do same with comfort foam topper.

Step six place the green  foam on the bed uncovered so it can breath and 
simplify handling.

Step seven wrap the comfort foam in a standard waterproof mattress cover 
(who left that hatch open?) and place on top of the green foam.

Total package is 6" thick,quite light and easy to handle. A bit soft to 
our taste but the comfort foam is the only inexpensive single piece of 
foam we could find to tie the system together. Ours is on slats with 
1.5" gap and there is no sense of openings of bottoming  of the foam by 
hips or elbows. 

Total cost about $250 with individual parts replaceable if required.

Should you still have any interest at this point you can see a picture 
on our blog at Charisways.bloger.com. Click on the picasaweb link at the 
bottom of the first "Interior pictures" posting and it will be the firts 
picture.