Perhaps the reason for the hammock and the beanbag both being found to be comfortable is that they both conform to the body shape, and thus prevent rolling to and fro, as the vessel rolls. This is certainly why a standard seaberth, with leecloth or leeboard, should be narrow; and I lie in the angle between settee cushion and backrest, with my knees braced against the leecloth, in rough weather, to prevent rolling across the cushion.

It occurs to me that memory foam might give a similar effect. Has anyone tried it?

David Tyler wrote:

I think that the best rest is obtained when the body, and especially the head, is as near as possible to the centre of pitch and roll, which is very low down, on the centreline and just aft of amidships.

Difficult to imagine a hammock slung there! 

Perhaps this is why the bean bag was so comfortable.  I just put it on the cabin sole.

Bonjour

In France we have, especially on small boats, a type of berth called Couchette cerceuil (coffin berth).  They are square tubes that run under the cockpit banks; there is even a lid. Only the head of the man exits the berth. They are not easy to enter but very confortable at sea.

Eric

PS : A coffin should be screwed; not nailed!

...so a wellpadded coffin (no lid, please), nailed to the cabin sole, seems to be the ultimate sea-berth then?...

..whooops...

Jim

I have experienced a hammock at sea and highly recommend it if you've got space.

 However, on my last ocean passage I had something of a eureka moment.  The owner had left a waterproof bean bag on board.   This proved to be incredibly comfortable at all times.  It's the most comfortable I've been when on passage.  It provided plenty of support, and could easily be moved depending on the tack.  But again the perfect boat would have a flat area to locate this.  Most cruising boats would be able to be set up for this.

As Annie says, a good old fashioned lee cloth is usually the best answer.

Peter