The C-Brats :: - Sleeping on the Marinaut (2024)

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We find the stock v-berth cushion to be quite comfortable, but then we prefer a firmer mattress at home.

We also did not cut out the bulkhead. We prefer a separation of the sleeping space from the "living" space. It makes the berth more private and "cozy".

IMO, the clearance in the berth from the mattress to ceiling (on the 22 anyway) is not a whole lot. Adding 4 or more inches of mattress would seem to cut a significant amount of that out and make things maybe too "cozy" in there.

As to head forward or feet forward, I used to do the feet forward, (next to the anchor locker) but after an injury last summer, making it nearly impossible to crawl in, and turn around and then get into the bag, I discovered:

1. It was much easier to just crawl into the space, (head to anchor), and then
2. With my head at the front of the boat it is nice to be able to look out through the cabin and out the cabin door. Much better view. Much easier access in and out.

Harvey
SleepyC

Yes

Google "HyperVent". There are also some threads in the forum.

We have used back packing pads, and seem to work about as well. (under as well as up the inside of the hull. So far we have not bothered to cover the side of the hull with canvas or other cloth. Makes it easier to remove if cleaning is necessary.

With respect to padding, we still have not gotten it exactly right, although we're getting there. Right now, we are using 2 inches of foam on top of the berth cushions. We fashioned a mattress pad out of an extra long sleeping bag that we cut to the dimensions of the berth. Like most sleeping bags, there is a warm fleece side, and a cool fabric side. In cool weather we sleep on the former, and in hot weather on the latter. Comfort wise, it seems that we are getting pressure points, which would indicate that we need slightly more padding. What doesn't help is that we've gained a few pounds since we bought the boat in 2011.

As for Hypervent, it raises the berth cushion up slightly, causing a slight reduction in headroom. It also makes the sleeping arrangements slightly less comfortable. However, it is very necessary when water temperatures are cold, because it nearly completely eliminates condensation under the cushions. When the water temperature gets over 70°, Hypervent is not necessary, and in those conditions we have found that condensation does not form.

With respect to padding, we still have not gotten it exactly right, although we're getting there. Right now, we are using 2 inches of foam on top of the berth cushions. We fashioned a mattress pad out of an extra long sleeping bag that we cut to the dimensions of the berth. Like most sleeping bags, there is a warm fleece side, and a cool fabric side. In cool weather we sleep on the former, and in hot weather on the latter. Comfort wise, it seems that we are getting pressure points, which would indicate that we need slightly more padding. What doesn't help is that we've gained a few pounds since we bought the boat in 2011.

As for Hypervent, it raises the berth cushion up slightly, causing a slight reduction in headroom. It also makes the sleeping arrangements slightly less comfortable. However, it is very necessary when water temperatures are cold, because it nearly completely eliminates condensation under the cushions. When the water temperature gets over 70°, Hypervent is not necessary, and in those conditions we have found that condensation generally does not form.

We are of average physical condition, average build, and certainly not gymnasts. We have no problem getting in and out of the berth and sleeping feet forward. The only issue is that only one person can enter/leave at a time.

We also find that with the bulkhead intact, it is easier for one person to sleep/nap in the berth while the other person is awake in the cabin.

Hi C-NILE, I was hoping you would enter the discussion since I have read virtually all of your posts on C-Brats since we bought our Marinaut 215 a year ago. And thanks so much for putting all that useful information into your posts. It has been very valuable to us.

We're getting her equipped to cruise Puget Sound this summer and the Hypervent/condensation topic keeps coming up. I am planning on following your advice and getting some Hypervent for our boat. I'm thinking that in the center section of the V-birth, where there will be no Hypervent, it might be useful for me to add a 3/4" strip of wood around the edges of the cushion so it is at the same height as the outer cushions. Does this make sense to you? Have you done this yourself?

I seem also to remember that you mentioned something about Les suggesting you paint the inside with enamel. Was that your comment? If so, could you elaborate on that please? Why do you do it? What kind of enamel?

Nice to hear from you and looking forward to further conversations.
Gary

Seeker is a beautiful boat, and we know you will enjoy her in your neck of the woods. I'm envious; the PNW has such beautiful cruising grounds. My wife and I regard the three weeks we spent in the PNW on board our Marinaut as one of our very best vacations. So we hope you will enjoy your boat for many years to come. Incidentally, many friends and family ask if we intend to get a bigger boat -- no way! This is our 6th season, and we could not be happier with our selection.

As for the need to raise the center cushion to compensate for the Hypervent, I really don't think it is necessary, but you would be the best judge. Your idea makes sense, however. My suggestion is to try it without any modifications first.

Les and Kathy painted the inside of our boat with Interior Latex from Ace Hardware;it's Royal Interior Enamel Semi-Gloss and it's E57 Calm Beige. The reason they did so was that the interior of our boat is coated with Mascot Delta-T Thermal Insulator paint. Personally, I love the paint. It is so easy to clean and to keep clean.

Let's keep in touch,

Rich

Great to hear from you after having read and studied so many of your informative posts. You're right - the Pacific Northwest is truly God's country and we are truly blessed to have lived on the Puget Sound for nearly 40 years.

Thanks for your answer on the "enamel" question. I wasn't quite sure what that was all about. We do not have the Mascot Insulator paint inside our boat so I don't think we would need the enamel. Did I get that right?

I've got the Hypervent ordered and plan to install it soon. I'll take your advice about raising or not raising the center cushion.

My wife, Marilyn, and I have had SEEKER only about a month and we are still getting to know her. We're taking it one step at a time. First learning running, docking, gassing up, trim tabs, mooring, how to use the plotter and Autopilot, that kind of stuff.

Today we practiced anchoring using our power windlass. Nothing to it, really. We've also figured out how to board and disembark from the beach - nothing too hard here either.

Next I think we'll do some serious meal preparation on the boat - probably moored to a buoy off of Tolmie State Park - learning what we need and don't need to have with us and what works and doesn't work. Then we'll spend a night on the boat - perhaps at McMicken or Eagle Island State Park near here. Then (this is the big one) we'll learn to get our 65 pound sea kayaks on and off the boat and to get into and out of them from the boat. This will be challenging but we can do it.

We've taken a few day trips, one up to Gig Harbor and another to the Port of Olympia. We're working our way north - Tacoma and Vashon Island, Seattle, Whidbey Island, Anacortes, and finally the San Juans. Our goal for this summer is to spend a few days anchored in Echo Bay on Sucia Island and to explore the island on our kayaks.

I liked what you said about your friends asking you about getting a bigger boat. One valuable thing Les told us was: the time a boat spends on the water is inversely proportional to its length. I think he hit it right on the head. Sounds like you agree.

Let's keep the conversation going.

Gary

As for Anacortes, Washington, we love Cap Santé. It is truly one of the best marinas in the country. We use our boat a little differently than yours in that our activities are exclusive to Marine we love Cap Santé. It is truly one of the best marinas in the country. We use our boat a little differently than yours in that our activities are exclusive to Marinas. In fact, our boat is ideal for Marinas.

When you're in the marinas in the height of the summer, we use an air conditioner in our port side window, and are very pleased with the results. If you were interested in detailed pictures of my arrangement, send me your email address through the private C-Brats channel. I exclusively use Apple products, and the Seabranch website has definite issues with non-Microsoft technologies.

Rich

Incidentally, the Interstate battery is guaranteed, albeit it is prorated. At this point, I don't wish to throw good money after bad. In all fairness to Interstate, this may not be their issue, which is why I want to see what happens with the Cabelas battery over the next two years. Has anyone in the C-brats community had similar issues?

Harvey
SleepyC