Picture this: you're lounging on your catamaran's net, watching the sunset paint the water in brilliant oranges and pinks. Or perhaps, you’re enjoying your overwater dock net watching the seagulls & sipping a…whatever your heart has chosen for that day. The perfect partner for enjoying that space is our recently released Sailor’s Pillow. Designed from the ground up to live on catamaran decks & nets the Sailor’s Pillow is a durable marine good, not a pool toy like most floating pillows.
Create your catamaran's outdoor Living Room!
If you've ever tried using a regular floating pillow on dock nets or catamaran trampolines, you've likely discovered what thousands of sailors already know: pool accessories and marine environments don't mix well. The Sailor's Pillow was born from this exact frustration, designed by sailors who understood that life on the water demands purpose-built solutions which makes it an optimal partner on your catamaran or overwater dock net.
Why Regular Floating Pillows Fail on Dock Nets
Most floating pillows, including popular options like the Big Joe floating pillow, are engineered for swimming pools—calm, controlled environments with predictable conditions, smooth surfaces, and to be taken back under cover at the end of the day. But dock nets and catamaran nets present unique challenges:
- Constant Movement: Unlike pool water, marine environments involve continuous motion from wind, waves, and boat traffic. Standard floating pillows lack the attachment systems needed to stay in place and even more importantly industrial grade, UV durable mesh underneath to resist tearing & releasing floating beads into the environment.
- UV Exposure:Marine environments deliver relentless sun exposure that quickly degrades pool-grade materials. What works for occasional pool use fails within months in full-time marine applications. We build these to the same intense focus on durability as we do with our overwater net using our incredible UV inert thread & UV durable mesh tested to 10 years UV exposure.
- Drainage Issues: Pool pillows often trap water in hidden pockets, creating mold and mildew problems that are impossible to address on a boat or dock and uncomfortable to use after a rainstorm.
- Designed For You: Most “comparable” floating toys are overfilled. This can look good at first, but actually substantially reduces the range of uses that an optimally designed floating catamaran pillow can have.
Engineering the Perfect Marine Pillow
The Sailor's Pillow addresses every one of these issues through thoughtful marine-specific design to make it your optimal comfort partner on your catamaran, resort style overwater net, treehouse net, or loft net (crossover links to everything possible):
Superior Construction Quality
While products like the Big Joe pillow use basic stitching suitable for occasional pool use, the Sailor's Pillow employs marine-grade construction techniques & UV inert thread. Reinforced seams and double-stitched stress points ensure the filling stays inside even after thousands of cycles of boat movement and net flexing.
Attachment System Integration
The Large and Jumbo sizes feature four corner attachment points specifically designed for dock nets and catamaran nets. These aren't afterthoughts—they're engineered mounting points that distribute stress evenly across the pillow's structure, preventing the corner failures common in adapted pool products. The Small size has a single attachment point to keep it in place too.
Marine-Grade Materials
Every component is selected for marine durability:
- Sunbrella fabric covers resist UV degradation and maintain color integrity
- Fast-drying mesh bottoms prevent water accumulation and mold growth
- Marine-rated thread and hardware withstand saltwater exposure
- Specialized fill materials resist clumping and maintain loft through constant movement
Size Options for Every Application
Unlike one-size-fits-all pool products, the Sailor's Pillow offers three carefully engineered sizes:
- Small (18" x 27"): Perfect for single lounging on smaller dock nets or as backrests
- Large (43" x 56"): Ideal for two people on catamaran nets or spacious dock applications
- Jumbo (47" x 64"): Ultimate luxury for large catamaran trampolines or dock entertainment areas, best option if you want to use it as a lay on top style lazy river float
Real-World Applications: Where the Sailor's Pillow Excels
Catamaran Net Living
Liveaboard sailors understand that catamaran nets aren't just outdoor spaces—they're your outdoor living room. The Sailor's Pillow transforms these areas into comfortable lounging spaces that can handle everything from morning coffee to afternoon naps to evening stargazing sessions.
The attachment points integrate seamlessly with most catamaran net designs, while the marine construction ensures consistent comfort regardless of sea conditions, and the tie down locations ensure they stay in place!
From pillow to backrest, the Sailor's Pillow can be anything you need it to be!
Dock Net Entertainment
Lake dock nets create perfect gathering spaces, but comfort often suffers without proper accessories. The Sailor's Pillow's fast-drying design makes it ideal for applications where people transition between swimming and lounging throughout the day.
The larger sizes provide enough space for multiple people, turning dock nets into true outdoor living rooms for lake house entertainment.
Sailing Performance Considerations
Unlike bulky alternatives, the Sailor's Pillow's streamlined design doesn't interfere with sailing performance. The low profile reduces wind resistance, while the secure attachment system prevents shifting that could affect boat balance or create noise during sail changes.
Choosing Your Fill: Floppy vs. Fluffy
The Sailor's Pillow offers two fill options to match different comfort preferences:
- Floppy Fill: We recommend this for most users. Slight underfill in an oversize pillow allows it to be formed to nearly any desired depth from a shallow pillow to a thick bolster to even a portable seat. Conforms closely to body contours, providing personalized support that adapts to individual shapes. Ideal for reading, extended lounging, or applications where pillow storage space is limited and you want it to be as multi-functional as possible.
- Fluffy Fill: Maintains more structure while still providing excellent comfort. Better when the pillow needs to maintain its shape for aesthetic reasons.
Care and Maintenance: Built for Marine Life
Marine accessories need to withstand conditions that would destroy household items. The Sailor's Pillow's design makes maintenance straightforward:
- Daily Care: None. Use it and enjoy. Leave it outside so it’s always ready to use when you want to use it. Fast drying mesh lets it dry quickly after rain. No special treatments or complicated drying procedures required.
- Storage: Put it where you use it. We designed this partly because we hated having to bring a pillow out with us each time we wanted to use the nets, they live on our nets full-time year-round.
- Longevity: With reasonable care, expect 5-7 years of regular use—significantly longer than pool products adapted for marine use.
The Real Cost of Marine Accessories
While the initial investment in a purpose-built marine pillow might seem higher than grabbing a pool float, the total cost of ownership tells a different story. Pool products typically require replacement every 1-2 seasons in marine environments, while the Sailor's Pillow provides years of reliable service. More importantly, poorly made products can release their filling into the environment.
Factor in the frustration of constantly replacing inadequate products, and the value proposition becomes clear: invest once in purpose-built quality rather than repeatedly purchasing products that weren't designed for your application.
Sizing Guide: Finding Your Perfect Fit
- Small Sailor's Pillow: Best for solo use, smaller boats, or as accent pillows in larger installations. At just 1 pound, it's easy to move around as needed.
- Large Sailor's Pillow: A highly versatile option, providing enough space for two people while remaining manageable for single users. The 5-pound weight provides stability without being cumbersome.
- Jumbo Sailor's Pillow: Ultimate luxury for large catamaran nets or dock entertainment areas. At 9 pounds, it stays put in moderate conditions while providing expansive comfort space and being your own lazy river float on top of it all.
Somehow, we made nets even more comfortable!
Making the Investment
Your trimaran, dock, or catamaran represents a significant investment in lifestyle and recreation. The accessories you choose should match that investment's quality and purpose. The Sailor's Pillow isn't just another floating pillow—it's a marine-specific solution engineered by people who understand the difference between pool recreation and marine living.
When you're ready to upgrade from makeshift solutions to purpose-built comfort, the Sailor's Pillow delivers the durability, functionality, and comfort that marine environments demand. After all, life on the water should be about relaxation, not constantly fighting with inadequate accessories.
Your dock nets and catamaran trampolines deserve better than adapted pool toys. They deserve accessories designed specifically for the unique demands of marine life—accessories that enhance your time on the water rather than creating additional frustrations.
Ready to experience the difference purpose-built marine accessories make? Explore the complete Sailor's Pillow collection and discover why sailors who've made the switch never go back to pool products.