www.iFourWinns.com

I purchased my 2000 328 Vista the end of August last year. The boss of me and I slept on the boat twice in the two and a half months before the season ended. It was okay, but sleeping on those hard cushions in the forward berth was a killer. There was no way to get comfortable, and I woke up both times not only sore, but with a headache as well. I even purchased a roll of egg crate foam cushion from an arts and crafts store. If anything, because of constantly having to resposition it, the cushion made the experience worse.

The inner spring mattresses Four Winns now outfits their new boats with won't fit my 2000 328...I already called. So, have any of you guys purchased a custom mattress for your boat from third party manufacturers? If so, do you have any recommendations for me?

My success in convincing the boss of me to spend another night on the boat depends on me getting this done, so I would appreciate any information anyone has.

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Insane Desire - My 2000 328 Vista...and my state of mind

Can anyone help me out here? Surely some of you guys with older Vistas have done something about the mattress. Haven't you? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

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Insane Desire - My 2000 328 Vista...and my state of mind

We purchased some egg crate foam, cut it out to match the size of the v-berth. Placed that over the cushions/mattress, then bedding on that. It is an immediate and cheap fix. It made a huge difference in sleeping comfort.

Or you can get a custom made one from:

http://www.schraderbeds.com/mattresses.html

These can be bought as innerspring, or a combo of inner spring and memory foam.

This company makes some nice stuff too. A marina patron we know had one made for his boat from these guys. They are not cheap, but are well made and comfortable.

http://www.portlandboatmattress.com/mattresses

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks, Cap'n. I appreciate the response and thanks for the information. I'll check these guys out.

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Insane Desire - My 2000 328 Vista...and my state of mind

I have a Vista 278, here is what I used:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=7695948

I put the new mattress on the floor, laid the cushions on top of it, traced around it with a sharpe and cut the mattress to shape with an electric knife. I left the cushions at home in case I ever wanted to go back to them. I have the mattress inplace of the cushions on the boat. I think that it sleeps as good as my $2000 mattress that I have on my bed at home.

moorefun, I like that idea, but we do use the cabin table, so a huge piece like that would be hard to store on the boat. Maybe if I make one like you did, but cut it in two pieces, it can be stored in the aft cabin when not in use.

I will look into it.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

That's a fantastic idea! What kind of electric knife did you use? Did you have mattress (foam) innards flying all over the place as you were cutting? Did you finish/sew up the edges when you were done? If so, how?

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Insane Desire - My 2000 328 Vista...and my state of mind

I know this product is very popular here in the UK, seems to store well under a bunk.

http://www.raskelf.com/yachts.htm

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Regards
Beyond the Blue

"If we improve with age I'm now excellent"


Ex 1998 238 Vista 5.0Gi SX DP
Lexus RX300

I know what you are dealing with! I have a 2003 Vista which did not have the optional inner spring mattress. It only took a few nights sleep to realize this was not intended for over night sleeping. Looked like a bed... but. Fortunately Four Winns offered an inner spring for this year and I ended up buying it from a local dealer to the tune of ~$900 which was a lot of money but well worth it. The mattress is exceptionally well made and extremely comfortable. My wife and I actually prefer it to the mattress we have at home!

It turns out that the mattress is made, surprise, in Holland Michigan for Four Winns and they also run a custom mattress making business as well. They bill themselves as a company making premium products. Here is their web site:

http://chirobed.com/mm5/merchant.mvc

I can pretty well guarantee that you will get a comfortable mattress. They also have a $10 kit they send you for making a pattern for a custom "yacht" mattress. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

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2014 Vista V435
2011 Glastron GT180
2013 Sea Doo RXT-260

Thanks Bill. I'll contact these guys and let you know how I fare.

Thanks again.

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Insane Desire - My 2000 328 Vista...and my state of mind

I checked the mattress on our 2005 348 and it's made by Handcraft. I believe this is their website:

http://www.hmcwest.com/

I'm very picky about mattress comfort and this one is about as good as I could hope for in a boat situation (thickness, foldable, etc).

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I have a 2001 298. The first upgrade in the second year was a custom Handcraft mattress. For the size of the fwd berth, we got an all foam mattress 6". Well worth the $1000, high quality, folding section to get access to storage space without lifting the whole thing. Included custom made sheets. Can't beat at-home comfort on your boat!

Joe