Condensation while sleeping

[LadyInBed]

Another solution is absorption and redirection! My hatch surround has an inner wooden lip, so I made a blackout that rests on the lip.
I used net curtain wire sowed into the hem round the blackout to stiffen the edge which also has the advantage that it can be screwed up (as in folded) when not in use.
The blackout catches and absorbs any drips.

As for under mattress, I made a grid from loft pipe insulation tubes, this gives an air gap under the mattress and effectively gives you a thicker mattress which makes for a more comfortable night's sleep.

 

[RAI]

Another factor is temperature/heating control. Afterall, what you are trying to do is to keep the dew point outside the boat. Lots of ventilation will not help once the dew point is reached inside the boat. Whereas heating the air on its way in will enable it to carry excess water vapour out. Keeping the internal temperature above the dew point will reduce the areas where condensation will form to those cold spots.

With metal window frames, sometimes the only hope is to add condensation collection systems (gutters, sponges). Then they can be used as a kind of dehumidifier.

 

[KellysEye]

We stopped condensation by double glazing the portlights with perspex cut to fit and the hatch with perspex cut fit to the hatch surround fixed on with velcro. Cut the perspex very slowly or it will melt.

 

[johnphilip]

Square but useful

My son warned me that our toddler grandson would wake as soon as it is light in the morning.
Answer, a square of blue acrylic about three foot square tied down to handrails over the forehatch.
I thought this worth doing as, with a centre eye it could be lifted with a line and provide a perfect umbrella over the forehatch ( or main hatch ) so we could keep the hatch open even in bad weather. ventilation cured.

 

[GrahamM376]

Even in the Med,under mattress condensation and mould can be severe.I think the suggestions 1) holes say 25mm diam in the plywood base,or 2),the spring type slats (IKEA?)might be harder to arrange but the best solution perhaps?

I got our slatted base from Compass24online, don't know if Ikea are the same. The slats come with plastic feet/joining pieces and are a doddle to install, just cut slats to length. When locker access needed, it just rolls up.

 

[Daydream believer]

I also bought an expensive roll of that underlay for your matres - useless...

+1

 

[Iliade]

I have not tried this, but think it night help: You know the three layer plastic 'waffleboard' used to roof most conservatories? Well, any conservatory outfit should have yards of the stuff from old conservatories they have replaced. It would be simple to use as underlay for the mattress.

Try both with the edging fitted to make it airtight and also with loads of holes drilled in the top surface to encourage air circulation and report back on results...

I have some of the stuff (in Glynde) if anyone wishes to try it out... (for some reason I don't get much condensation under the mattresses, only large quantities of sea water because the hatches have been left open again...)

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks for all that stuff guys. I have fitted a fan to one of the tannoy vents which should help ventillation, it is a 2 speed 2 way fan with a good extraction rate so that should help.
I am going to fit longer curtains over the port lights, I can then just use light bungee to hold these close to the window and also cover the curve of the coachroof as this area is directly above where we breath and ( of course ) where our breath condenses. We have designed a cover for the hatch which will keep out rain when it is opened and I will cutt out some holes in the berth bases.
So a variety of mitagation measures will be employed. Thanks again.

 

[RAI]

Thanks for all that stuff guys. I have fitted a fan to one of the tannoy vents which should help ventillation, it is a 2 speed 2 way fan with a good extraction rate so that should help.
I am going to fit longer curtains over the port lights, I can then just use light bungee to hold these close to the window and also cover the curve of the coachroof as this area is directly above where we breath and ( of course ) where our breath condenses. We have designed a cover for the hatch which will keep out rain when it is opened and I will cutt out some holes in the berth bases.
So a variety of mitagation measures will be employed. Thanks again.

You may simply be moving the condensation from one place to another. But best of luck anyway.

 

[srp]

I found a full length boom tent useful - it reduces the radiation heat loss from the outer cabin surfaces that you get on clear nights. As a result there is less condensation that forms inside, and also the cockpit isn't covered in dew in the mornings.