condensation

stu9000

stu9000

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Hi

I slept in the forecabin of my Jag 27 a few weeks ago.
Bloomin' freezing so I shoved socks into the vents.
When I woke in the morning there was a lot of condensation on the roof lining.

As the weather warms up it will become less of an issue. But I will also have crew on board.

When I was a kid my Dad used to hang a condensation gizmo up.
It had crystals (that I think could be reused) and there was a drip tray that would hold a good couple of cups of water.
Not surprising when you have 5 people and a dog on a caprice 19!

Looking online I could not find anything that exactly matched my childhood experience but there were two non electrical types that stood out.


Non reusable crystals
http://www.amazon.co.uk/KONTROL-Oce...&qid=1427998944&sr=8-4&keywords=moisture+trap

gel type that can be recharged
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeabl...667&sr=8-8&keywords=non+electric+dehumidifier

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks
S
 
stu9000 said:
Hi




Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks
S
Click to expand...

Possibly silica gel crystals like the rechargeable one in your 2nd link that are dried out again by heating to about120C ...... but there must then be provisions for the water vapour to be vented outside or condensed as water.

Maybe something similar using a different desiccant. Alumina???
 
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I awoke in trhe forecabin of my Pageant yesterday morning with condensation dripping on my face. It never used to happen on my previous boat, a Westerly Centaur, because the cabin was lined with carpet. I plan to do the same with the current boat when I can be bothered.
 
VicMallows said:
As long as the inside is the same temperature as the outside you won't get condensation :) .... get a better sleeping bag and leave the hatch open!
Click to expand...

My sleeping bag is three season and rated to minus two!
It was flippin' cold though. A bit uncomfortable on board, even for me.

Agree about the ventilation so no more socks in vents!

Hopefully the temp differential wont be so severe "in" season but I think I may purchase the non reusable crystals type for when I have two daughters in the forcabin.
 
The best way is to invest in a proper de humidifier for when you are not on board and a silent electric convector heater for when you are sleeping on board. If you cannot get electric on board to do the aforementioned then you have to be truly spartan but invest in themal underwear and macca sleeping bags for you and your family.
 
Dehumidifiers are a useless waste of money on a properly ventilated boat, although a lot of people pay good money to use them. All that you will do is take some of the water out of the air that is passing through the boat, which is then replaced with fresh damp air from outside.
The only way to eliminate condensation is to keep the boat well ventilated, properly heated, and line the interior to eliminate cold surfaces.
Trust me, I've been living aboard for 14 years and know what I'm talking about.
 
Through ventilation is the only way to cure condensation. I am currently lining my hull but I am putting closed cell foam on first before the carpet lining to give some insulation. Condensation forms when warm moist air hits a cold surface so if the cold hull is protected, air won't be as likely to condense on it.
 
It can be cold out of season but damp is best avoided as said by ventilation. My sleeping bag has a hood which you tighten up with a drawstring round your face to keep your head warm and stop draughts. I find this very good but occasionally have resorted to double bagging.
 
I agree with ventilating.
However when we bought our boat there was a touch of black mould in one corner of an open-fronted locker. After cleaning it up, I painted the inside with anti-condensation paint. No recurrence of mould after many years.
 
ArthurJStoatfondler said:
Dehumidifiers are a useless waste of money on a properly ventilated boat, although a lot of people pay good money to use them. All that you will do is take some of the water out of the air that is passing through the boat, which is then replaced with fresh damp air from outside.
The only way to eliminate condensation is to keep the boat well ventilated, properly heated, and line the interior to eliminate cold surfaces.
Trust me, I've been living aboard for 14 years and know what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...

.....but if the boat is too cold because of that ventilation and the vents have to be closed, a dehumidifier will very much reduce the condensation and eliminate the feeling of dampness that you get in bedding.

At the beginning and end of the season, we run a dehumidifier from early evening and throughout the night and, without any heating, remain warm and condensation free even under a duvet.
 
ArthurJStoatfondler said:
Dehumidifiers are a useless waste of money on a properly ventilated boat, although a lot of people pay good money to use them. All that you will do is take some of the water out of the air that is passing through the boat, which is then replaced with fresh damp air from outside.
The only way to eliminate condensation is to keep the boat well ventilated, properly heated, and line the interior to eliminate cold surfaces.
Trust me, I've been living aboard for 14 years and know what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...
+ 1
Always sleep with at least one washboard out never get condensation
 
ghostlymoron said:
It can be cold out of season but damp is best avoided as said by ventilation. My sleeping bag has a hood which you tighten up with a drawstring round your face to keep your head warm and stop draughts. I find this very good but occasionally have resorted to double bagging.
Click to expand...

Is "double bagging" two people in one bag, or two bags for one person? I think we should be told. The former can generate quite a lot of heat.
 
My boat has louvred doors and a solar vetillator in the forhatch.
Its drier than my garage- toilet rolls happily survive in the toilet cupboard dry for years and books and charts never get damp.
 
ArthurJStoatfondler said:
Dehumidifiers are a useless waste of money on a properly ventilated boat, although a lot of people pay good money to use them. All that you will do is take some of the water out of the air that is passing through the boat, which is then replaced with fresh damp air from outside.
The only way to eliminate condensation is to keep the boat well ventilated, properly heated, and line the interior to eliminate cold surfaces.
Trust me, I've been living aboard for 14 years and know what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...


Dehumidifiers are great and improve your quality of life enormously. I've got them on all my yachts.

Trust me, I've been living on board for 18 years and know what I'm talking about. :cool:
 
I read that someone wired up a couple of 12volt computer fans on the vents pushing air out. Battery drain is minimal and they work :-)

Air circulation is key.
 
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