How to Size and Choose a Custom Mattress for Your Boat

Sizing a custom mattress for a boat can be a challenging task, and not one you’re likely to achieve in your standard brick & mortar store. Yet, a custom mattress is a great upgrade to your boat’s living quarters, providing you with a comfortable and personalized sleeping space that you’ll love just as much as your bedroom.

Whether you’re a live-aboard, on an extended voyage, or just tired of waking up sore while you’re on board, there are a ton of good reasons to purchase a good mattress for your boat. However, you can’t just fit any old mattress on a boat. A boat’s limited quarters will require a custom sized mattress, so let’s look at a few important considerations when purchasing a mattress for your boat.

What Boat Quarters Are You Fitting Your Mattress for?

First and foremost, consider the type of boat you have. That will determine the type of mattress that will work best for you. Do you have onboard sleeping quarters that you’re looking to fit a custom size mattress for? Or are you planning on rolling one out in the cabin and stowing it away when you’re done?

Both are completely reasonable options and may determine the type and size of mattress you’d like to purchase. A small mattress to stow away makes sense if you’re going to be rolling it out on the floor, but if you have a cabin, you may wish to keep your custom made boat mattress there permanently.

Mattress Materials and the Motion of the Ocean

Let’s cut right to the chase: boats move. A lot. A bed that dampens this movement, namely the rocking back and forth, is the ideal. If you’re already in the market for a custom mattress on your boat, then you should definitely be considering memory foam.

While springs and coils can be nice on land, on the water, they tend to amplify the swaying of your boat. Not only can this interrupt your sleep, but it can also cause seasickness in susceptible individuals. A custom made memory foam mattress will help to counteract a boat’s constant movement, providing restful sleep even while the sea stirs.

Start by Determining What Bed Size You Want

Selecting the right mattress size for a boat is crucial. Both the short queen and ¾ bed sizes can be ideal starting points with unique characteristics.

Short queen mattresses provide a comfortable sleeping surface while saving space in your bedroom. Their slightly reduced length ensures easy maneuverability within the confines of a boat. Despite their compact size, short queen mattresses are designed for optimal comfort. They offer a balance between space-saving and providing a restful night's sleep, crucial for enjoying your time on the water.

Short queen-sized bedding, including sheets, blankets, and duvets, is also relatively easy to find. This sized bedding will simplify the process of outfitting your boat's sleeping area, but it might be worth considering custom fitted sheets regardless, since their quality will invariably be better.

Just like the short queen, the ¾ mattress size is specifically designed for compact spaces. Its reduced width makes it ideal for smaller boat sleeping areas, where maximizing space is paramount. A ¾ bed can comfortably sleep one person or provide a snug sleeping space for two.

If you have a partner with whom you intend to share the bed, the short queen may be the better bet unless you’re both comfortable with the reduced space of a ¾ bed.

Both short queen and ¾ mattresses are excellent choices for boats. They just cater to different space requirements and sleeping preferences.

Customizing a Bed for You Aboard Your Boat

As good as they are for boats in general, the short queen and the ¾ mattress options might not make sense for your particular boat. You might have a little bit more space that you can make use of, and if you’re on the tall side, the short queen just won’t work.

Once you’ve brought out the tape measure and figured out what sort of mattress dimensions you’re going to custom order, there’s the matter of personal preference and sleeping style.

The firmness of your custom made foam mattress is the first thing to be thought about before making a purchase.

A mattress that is too soft may not provide enough support for individuals who are heavier or taller, while a mattress that is too firm may not be comfortable for individuals who are lighter or shorter.

A good rule of thumb is a medium firmness to fit the needs of pretty much everyone, but if you know you’re going to be the main person using it, your boat’s bed ought to have a memory foam mattress customized to your sleeping style.

Purchase a Quality Custom Mattress

When choosing your custom mattress, it is important to read customer reviews and compare different brands and models. Look for mattresses that have a good reputation for durability and comfort, and make sure to choose a custom mattress maker with great customer reviews. This is where we come in.

Don’t compromise on a lesser foam mattress model when you’re looking for a good sleep on your boat. Whatever your reason for purchasing a custom mattress, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to get an inferior standard model when you can get a bespoke mattress made of the best materials for a reasonable price.

Check out what we can do for your custom boat bed. All our mattress models are tailored just for you to fit exactly what you need, where you need it. A good night’s sleep on your boat, just like on land, requires a good mattress, and we’re here to make that happen.