[Rhodes22-list] Aero Bed

[Bill Effros]

Wally,

We got the "Aero-Bed" (brand name) as an extra bed around the house when we have more people staying over than we have beds.  The original was a plug into the wall model, with its own built in pump.  It pumps the whole thing up very quickly (I would guess a minute or two).  To our surprise, people kept telling us that the Aero Bed was one of the most comfortable beds they had ever slept on.  So we got another, only the second one was the rechargeable battery operated model.  This time both the air pump and the rechargeable battery were built into the bed.  Works like a charm.  A single battery charge is good for multiple pump ups.  I'm pretty sure it will run off 12VDC.

The whole shebang rolls up and fits into a cylindrical carrying bag that is surprisingly small.  It is so convenient that it is constantly on the move--people keep borrowing it and returning it. 

I've seen knock-offs, and the original bed looks like it shouldn't cost what they charge.  But maybe the original has patents that the knock-offs don't have.  

When I get one on board I'll let you know.  In terms of speed, size, engineering, ease of deployment, comfort, etc. I would guess it will rate as the IMF of boat bunks.

Bill


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Wally Buck 
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org 
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2003 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Cushion Upgrades


Bill,

Thanks for the suggestions. As a quick cheap fix I tried the cushion at 
Walmart that Mark suggested. It was a big plus Friday and Saturday nights. I 
have used an inflatable bed when camping but I think they are kind of a 
hassle. You have to listen to the pump for 15 minutes and it seems like it 
takes even longer to deflate and put away. The boom room seems like too much 
work to set up and take down plus it is expensive. I also need room to store 
the bed, boom room, pump and so on. Heck I have Furling jib and IMF main, I 
like things that are qucik and easy. :-)

I use an 8 X10 tarp from Northern Tool (suggested by Roger) and tent poles 
to create a boom tent that looks like a covered wagon. It provides coverage 
from the hatch back to the end of the boom. It works great when it is damp 
but usually we like to be able to see the stars.  I have considered getting 
the cockpit fillin cushions or making a complete new set. If I did that I 
would just use our Thermarest Self Inflating pads on top of fill in cushion 
for sleeping.

Regarding mosquitoes; if you go in my back yard you will get eaten up. Out 
on the river they don't seem to be a problem. I was originally going to 
order some mosquito netting to place over the pop-top but haven't really 
seen the need.

So far now we will give this pad a try, it was $5 and Jenny slept well.

Wally


>From: "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Cushion Upgrades
>Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2003 10:23:17 -0400
>
>Wally,
>
>I have the fill-in cushions for the cockpit.  I am planning to get a queen 
>size battery inflated "Aero-Bed" to put on top of the fill-in cushions, and 
>a boom-room for over my head to keep me dry and mosquito free.  Just 
>haven't gotten to it yet.  I know this is an expensive set up, and not what 
>you were asking about, but it suggests a different possibility for you.
>
>Maybe Stan would sell you the supports only for the fill in cushions, or 
>maybe you could make them yourself.  (The cost will probably be 
>similar--you are unlikely to figure out the measurements properly on your 
>first try.)
>
>Inflatable beds are cheap and quite comfortable.  Many people have 
>suggested home-made boom-room alternatives.  You can sleep in style if you 
>use the entire cockpit--it should be more comfortable than most 40' boats.
>
>I'll get to it some day.
>
>Bill
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Wally Buck
>To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
>Sent: Friday, July 11, 2003 8:13 AM
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Cushion Upgrades
>
>
>We have been spending a bunch of time on the boat and the many nights 
>aboard
>have me considering improvements to the cabin cushion mattress. When I 
>sleep
>solo I use a Thermo-Rest self-inflating pad for extra support. This is a 
>big
>improvement in sleeping comfort. The irregular shape of the birth does not
>allow room for two pads. Does anybody have any suggestions for type of
>cushion or pad to put on top of cabin cushions to provide additional
>comfort?  I am considering cutting some foam (what type???) as a top layer
>and storing in the v-birth. We never use the v-birth saving that area for
>light gear storage, I have plenty of room up there and I could even store
>pad flat.
>
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