One of the new products that caught my eye at the Collins Stewart London Boat Show was the Ship Shape range of bedding for boat bunks.
Linen tailored to fit the shape of boat bunks is not a new idea, but up till now it has tended to be available only made to measure, at a price.
Paul Hallatt, who sailed round the world with his wife Angela and two year old son Tom on his boat Ocean Dream, an Atlantic 55, and so knows about the practicalities of life aboard.
“No one likes sleeping in a sleeping bag for any length of time and normal rectangular duvets means that both sides at your feet are folded over making three layers on your feet - very hot and uncomfortable!” said Angela.
So they set out a year ago to produce “off the shelf” bedding at affordable prices, and Paul says the first year of trading has been “tremendously successful.” The British-made range promises “easy to make beds, more comfort and smarter cabins, at high street prices.”
Paul says all products are available from stock, and available in a wide range of shapes and sizes as standard, and can fit 99 per cent of all boat beds.
The range includes bedding shaped for V berths, quarter cabins, round-ended beds, tapered berths and even rectangle beds - “These still require special duvets as a standard one from home is too wide and drags on the floor,” he says.
“You have always been able to get tailor-made, bespoke bedding for boats, but from other companies bedding for the average bed starts at £250. Our range by contrast is dramatically better value. For example, shaped double duvets are just £49! We are able to reach these prices as we produce all our bedding here in the UK in bulk and carry huge stocks.”
For easy transportation and neat stowage on board, there's also an optional stuff bag.
“It's a very obvious idea to create bedding that actually fits boats,” said Paul. “In contrast to conventional bedding which tends to bunch up and ends up being uncomfortable or drapes onto the floor causing a tripping hazard and looking unsightly, Ship Shape Bedding is designed to fit the space.
“Our duvets and covers are perfect as presents, or for absolutely anyone who appreciates a good night's sleep on board, or wants a smarter cabin. Better still, they're easy to transport, easily stored in their own stuff bag and machine washable.
“In the past bedding like this has only been available on top-of-the range boats, and was regarded as a luxury item. Our pricing means that Ship Shape Bedding is now well within reach of people with more modest boats and budgets, bringing ship shape cabins and comfort to everyone.”
Stretch fitted sheets cost from £33 (single)/£39 (double), custom-made fitted sheets £35/£45, shaped duvets £39/£49, shaped duvet covers £29/£39, elasticated mattress protectors £39/49 and stuff bags £6.
The company also supplies DryMesh, which is designed to prevent condensation under the mattress, providing increased comfort, as well as keeping the mattress dry and putting an end to mildew, said Paul.
“DryMesh comes in rolls that you lay under the mattress and cut with kitchen scissors. Typically, this is a five-minute job and will give you a lifetime of better sleep and will help to protect your investment,” he explained.
“If there are hatches under the mattress, these can be accommodated by cutting three sides of a square, allowing it to fold back where needed.”
DryMesh costs from £45 for a roll 1m x 2m to £75 for a roll 2.1m x 2m.
For more information visit www.ShipShapeBedding.co.uk
