Login
Join The Beds.org
.png){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
Softside waterbeds are not as soft as the name suggests. Whereas a hardside waterbed is contained in a frame made of wood or other rigid material, a softside waterbed mattress includes its frame within the cover. This is usually hard or firm foam or some type of almost rigid fibrous material. They were developed to look like a regular foam or innerspring mattress. Made in standard bed sizes, sheets and blankets are easier to find. Also, the user does not have to climb over a wall to get into bed.
Softside waterbeds by Boyd Flotation, the original line of mattresses by Boyd Specialty Sleep, are classified by the depth of the fill (the height of the water bladder). Shallow fill water bladders are only 4" high. Mid fill bladders are 6" high. 8" is the height of a deep fill bladder. Half the models in each classification are on the Boyd Flotation page on Boyd Specialty Sleep. The other half are on the Boyd Flotation website.
Boyd Flotation lists four shallow fill waterbeds. They are Essex, Brighton, Iris, and Juniper. In common they use 4" high fluid suspension tubes or Sontaire fiber bladders. The 10" Essex and 9" Brighton have only the tubes, either foam-filled or free flow. 9" Iris and 10" Juniper add the fiber-filled bladder options, either single or dual. It is the thickness of the comfort padding that determines the overall height: 2" in Brighton and Iris, 3" in Essex and Juniper.
There are six mid fill models of Boyd Flotation softside waterbeds: 12" Cashmere, 11 Pembroke, 11" Dreamscape, 11" Violet, 11" Lilac, and 12" Orchid. The foam is 2" high in the 11" models, and 3" in the 12" models. There is variety in the covers and quilting. All models use the 6" high Venus bladders. In the last three models, there is a choice of how the bladder is configured, ranging from free flow to waveless. A dual bladder is an option.
The four deep fill Boyd Flotation softside waterbed models don't have the same amount of cushioning as the mid fill and shallow fill models. Two of the waterbeds, Equinox and Lily, are only 9" high, with only 1" for quiting and padding, and the two 10" models, Meridian and Aspen, don't have much more. For users of these model, there is not much between them and the water, making it ideal for those who really desire or need water support.
If you have a Boyd Flotation waterbed, feel free to review it here on Beds.org.
Boyd Flotation Softside Waterbeds Reviews
$$
Boyd Specialty Sleep
2440 Adie Road, St. Louis, MO 63043, Phone (314) 997-5222, Fax (314) 432-3542, info@boydspecialtysleep.com
Waterbed
Firm
Water bladder (free flow wave, semi-waveless, waveless) with built-in foam retaining walls, comfort padding and cover. Usually has vinyl moisture barrier
Foam encasement
Varies by model
9, 10, 11, or 12 inches
Solid, heavy duty platform
Options in the water fill
Ask retailer
15-20 years
U.S.A.
Keep in sanitary condition, no abuse, proper support
This is members only feature. If you are already a member, please sign in or you can sign up for free.
