Sleeping berth

While beds on large ships are little different from those on shore, the lack of space on smaller yachts means that bunks must be fit in wherever possible.

Some of these berths have specific names: Frequently, yachts have a bed in the extreme forward end of the hull (usually in a separate cabin called the forepeak).

This notch can usually be filled in with a detachable board and cushion, creating something more like a double bed (though with drastically reduced space for the feet; 12 in or 300 mm wide is typical).

Because the ideal ergonomic distance between a seat-back and its front edge (back of the knee) makes for a rather narrow bed, good settee berths will have a system for moving the back of the settee out of the way; this can reveal a surprisingly wide bunk, often running right out to the hull side underneath the lockers.

Sometimes the side of this bunk is "walled in" up to the sleeper's chest; there may even be small shelves or lockers on the partition so that the bed is "behind the furniture".

Easily stored due to its flat shape, the pipe berth is often suspended on ropes or fits into brackets when in use.

The lee cloth keeps the sleeping person in the bunk from falling out when the boat heels during sailing or rough weather.