A Guide to Creating a Comfortable Bunk Bed Setup: Tips for Equipment and Bedding

The gentle rocking of the boat in the night breeze, the gentle smack of the small waves lapping the waterline and the soporifically regular creaking of the mooring lines on the cleat – a night on board a yacht is an experience like no other.

But if you really want to rest undisturbed and restful, you need space, even on a sailing boat. Some more, some less. But no matter whether on a luxurious blue water yacht or on a small cruiser with a slip cabin: the demands of the sailors in terms of a comfortable overnight stay on board are almost always the same.

The berth dimensions often differ significantly from boat to boat, even within comparable length or concept classes. Why is that?

How much space a boat can provide below deck depends primarily on its hull shape. It seems logical that wide and high-boarded ships offer more volume on the inside than slim, flat or particularly sporty types. The wide sterns and the full foredeck sections of the younger model generations now allow developers in the cruising segments in particular to work with completely new space conditions.

Extension versions with three double cabins and still sufficiently large berth areas are now feasible with a hull length of less than eleven meters. And: island beds in the foredeck were already part of the offer in the medium-sized segments, at least as an option. These are standards that no cruising boat in this form could have met years ago, no matter how voluminous it would have been.

The dimensions of the berths are determined on the one hand by the available volume and on the other hand by the limitations of many technical and structural feasibility and the rest of the interior design. An example: How big a foredeck berth can ultimately be is largely determined by the installation position of the main bulkhead. The further aft it is placed, the more space and leeway there is at the front for the other installations.

However, the bulkhead is not positioned anywhere in the ship, but according to the position of the rig, and this in turn according to the calculated sail pressure point of the sail area. And the bulkhead installed further aft again limits the length of the saloon berths, so that they in turn should not shrink the toilet space and pantry too much or limit the aft berths beyond what is reasonable. A fight for inches.

In boat tests, the YACHT not only evaluates the comfort in the berths in comparison to the standard of the class, but also in relation to the minimum dimensions specified for adults of average size in single or double berths. On the following pages we present some examples of different types of berths.

The voluminous bow sections of modern designs allow sleeping accommodation in king-size format even for the medium-length segments. And there are now also interesting alternatives to the conventional cabin layout in the forecastle

The most common layout for the forecastle, especially on smaller and mid-sized yachts with a forepeak but no additional sail locker or skipper’s cabin. The berth is usually built far into the bow, which, however, limits the foot space. It should still be 60 centimeters there so that the two of you don’t get too narrow. Because the shape of the hull opens upwards, the berth area is strongly dependent on the installation height – the higher, the wider it becomes. However, an entry height of more than 70 centimeters is still too much. At shoulder width, the berth must be at least 1.40 meters. Important: The longer the bunk, the more space there is for your feet.

The alternative, especially for larger yachts with lots of space in the foredeck and a developed forepeak. The island bed looks modern and chic, and getting into the berth is easier than with the conventional triangular berth because the head end faces forward. However, this is precisely why it often gets cramped at shoulder height. Islands in the forecastle rarely measure more than the desirable minimum of 1.40 meters at shoulder width. There is more space in the footwell. However, these berths are less seaworthy than triangular berths because they do not close off at the sides. Leesails can secure against falling out. In any case, they are part of it.

A rather rare layout, which is usually only offered as an option. Sleepers who are used to space can get their money’s worth, however, because both the shoulder width and the foot space are hardly subject to spatial restrictions and the asymmetrical arrangement allows more leeway. The bunk area attached to the side could even be expanded with additional padding. With this arrangement, too, one usually sleeps with the head forward. However, it becomes tedious for the person resting on the outer wall if they have to go out at night. Cumbersome climbing is then unavoidable.

The different ship concepts offer a lot of possibilities for the interior fittings aft, also for customization. For many medium-sized boats, a layout with either one or two cabins is feasible.

Yachts with a center cockpit allow for an undivided stern with lots of volume and more headroom than with conventional boats. A central island bed with rounded foot ends is therefore usually emblazoned in the spacious owner’s cabins. The width of the lying surface is often limited by the side storage space, but a width of 1.40 meters at the shoulders is the absolute minimum here. However, lee sails are also necessary on the way.

The wider a ship at the stern, the more space in the aft cabins. The trendy chines can even add a few centimeters to the available space. If two symmetrical cabins are installed lengthwise at the rear, a central technical channel often restricts the width of the berth. The engine cover can also have a disruptive effect, or a trunk pipe for the rudder shaft on smaller boats.

An asymmetrical arrangement with a staggered longitudinal bulkhead also allows for a transversely installed berth aft. The width of the lying surface is usually very generous, but there is often a lack of length. It should also be two meters here.

No basket for the ship’s dog, but a suitable berth for the off-duty watch or for the navigator at sea. Although the dog berth has gone out of fashion, it is still used from time to time on newer and smaller boats. In it you sleep alone, and getting in is rather awkward. But she is seaworthy, even without a lee sail. The width at shoulder height should be at least 75 centimeters.

Usually only those who cannot sleep in the cabins sleep in the saloon. However, the additional sunbathing areas are still welcome, especially when chartering and also en route.

The couch on the side in the saloon can be used as an additional berth when the cabin is fully occupied – provided it is long enough for this. Because of the access to the storage space below the sofa, the upholstery is usually divided into several sections, which can be annoying for the sleeper. Unfortunately, a foldable backrest to widen the berth can only be found on a few yachts.

There are many different solutions for a flexible bunk system instead of the U-shaped sofa or dinette. There are saloon tables that can be lowered or berth extensions with cushion inserts. What is then often advertised as an “optional double berth” does not meet the minimum dimensions in most cases. Here, too, two people can only sleep comfortably from a width of 1.40 meters.

Some like the nocturnal closeness to their partner, others need freedom. If you are looking for a restful sleep, you have to be able to arrange yourself.

Note: The dimensions given on the graphics refer to the minimum comfort standards recommended by YACHT for the respective single or double berths. The berths listed as examples may have other dimensions. The “shoulder width” measurement is determined approx. 30 centimeters below the head end