nigel1
Active member
Is this like gardening type capillary matting??
Cutting down on condensation.. can it be done?
- Thread starter Nostrodamus
- Start date
Is this like gardening type capillary matting??
westernman
Well-known member
German flats generally don't have ventilation vents in them like French ones do. Also, they tend to be much better insulated as well. It is usual practice, even in the middle of winter, to open all the windows for 30 minutes or so every day unless it is raining and windy to thoroughly ventilate and prevent condensation.
I would imagine living aboard on a boat in winter, you would have to do this as well - particularly if the boat is well insulated. The amount of water being produced per volume of air in a small boat is of course considerably higher than in a flat so may be you need to do it more often.
I don't live permanently on my boat - but when she is moored up during winter, we have plenty of deck dorades ensuring plenty of ventilation. She is never damp inside - though of course not very warm. The diesel heater (with chimney through the deck), soon heats her up of course.
I would imagine living aboard on a boat in winter, you would have to do this as well - particularly if the boat is well insulated. The amount of water being produced per volume of air in a small boat is of course considerably higher than in a flat so may be you need to do it more often.
I don't live permanently on my boat - but when she is moored up during winter, we have plenty of deck dorades ensuring plenty of ventilation. She is never damp inside - though of course not very warm. The diesel heater (with chimney through the deck), soon heats her up of course.
Wansworth
Well-known member
Condensation is part of the magic of life aboard.Plugged into a marina with humidifiers and stuff detract from the "Adventure" of life afloat.On the steel boat we had the amount of water was so much that at one time I thought we had a leak.With a lining all the condensation drained down to the bilge whilst the air in the cabin was warmed by the wood stove.As usual the heat accumalated in the bows and are feet suffered from the cold air drawn up from the bilge-
Bobobolinsky
New member
I love Celotex. 25mm on the hull and 20mm on the deckhead, deckhead is cored as well. Sitting here now, very comfortable. Ventilation Dorade, door bottom and forrard hatch.
Nostrodamus
New member
Thank you for all your replies although it does not take me much further forward.
There is a mixed bag of insulate and don't insulate.
As there is four of us living aboard we knowwe are the problem, especially in cold weather and we like to breath at the same time as being warm. At night there is little circulation of the air and the dehumidifier being on leavesis all with dry mouths but does help.
I suppose the answer is to get to warmer climates where the air can circulate more and the outside temp is nearer to the inside temp.
Thank you again
There is a mixed bag of insulate and don't insulate.
As there is four of us living aboard we knowwe are the problem, especially in cold weather and we like to breath at the same time as being warm. At night there is little circulation of the air and the dehumidifier being on leavesis all with dry mouths but does help.
I suppose the answer is to get to warmer climates where the air can circulate more and the outside temp is nearer to the inside temp.
Thank you again
Talbot
Active member
I have a fair number of windows and hatches, which under normal situation could be expected to attract condensation. Most of mine have been covered with a secondary glazing (i.e. something like clingfilm, stuck on with double sided tape. This works astoundingly well. Unfortunately the hatch above my bed has an oceanblind system which you cannot double glaze, so attracts condensation.
I have tried to talk to the oceanblind people, but they do not seem to be interested in even answering my email.
I have tried to talk to the oceanblind people, but they do not seem to be interested in even answering my email.
KellysEye
Active member
In winter we use a heater and a dehumidifier. If we are on the boat we empty the water container, if we are off the boat we put the dehumidifier on a galley work top and use a feed pipe into the sink. Check the dehimidifier has an outlet for a pipe, most do. You will be amazed how much water it takes out.
Maurice55
New member
Hi, we have been living in a 28ft steel boat for going onto seven years, all year round, from southern england to corsica via french canals. The insulation is sprayed polyurethane foam on every bit of steel and ventilation going through gap under slatted bed, dry bilges, double glazing.....not a spot of condensation or mould anywhere.
Loggo
Member
Common sense, I know, but do not make the problem worse by boiling rice/potatoes/pasta on the stove. Avoid steaming veggies as well, and try to use the oven as much as possible. Weekenders can take a few "home prepared" meals with them - mousake, shepherds pie, lasagne etc.
simon barefoot
New member
On my mobo I found putting an external cover and insulation over the big windows at night makes a huge difference. Other than that ventilation all the way. Even if it gets cold, ventilate. It doesn't take long to heat it back up again.
Other than that, a calendar with the day the weather should warm up marked. Tick off each day. Try and do something nice each day. Hopefully winter shouldn't last too long. 3 months is only 12 weeks. I just think about the times in my life that haven't seemed so great that went on for longer and a few drippy weeks suddenly dont seem so bad!
Its worth PROPERLY drying and sealing all but a minimum of clothes/bedding to stop it going mouldy. Winter isn't the time for fashion.
Other than that, a calendar with the day the weather should warm up marked. Tick off each day. Try and do something nice each day. Hopefully winter shouldn't last too long. 3 months is only 12 weeks. I just think about the times in my life that haven't seemed so great that went on for longer and a few drippy weeks suddenly dont seem so bad!
Its worth PROPERLY drying and sealing all but a minimum of clothes/bedding to stop it going mouldy. Winter isn't the time for fashion.
Blueboatman
Well-known member
Two most lucid posts from Mikemonty and Whitedawn that I have ever read on the subject.
Fwiw I leave the dripdiesel heater on all the time when aboard, cook with the hatch cracked open 4 inches, and turn the heating down v low at night . And hoike mattresses out on deck prob once a week when there is a good, salt free drying breeze( like now)and ventilate thoroughly for an hour a day ? While you're all ashore?
And, tedious tho it is, clothing goes into those supermarket 'bags for life' within the lockers through the winter, just to stop articles touching the locker backs, though the bags lie on their sides without being sealed shut.
Must be learning something because I haven't used the dehumidifier this winter.
Fwiw I leave the dripdiesel heater on all the time when aboard, cook with the hatch cracked open 4 inches, and turn the heating down v low at night . And hoike mattresses out on deck prob once a week when there is a good, salt free drying breeze( like now)and ventilate thoroughly for an hour a day ? While you're all ashore?
And, tedious tho it is, clothing goes into those supermarket 'bags for life' within the lockers through the winter, just to stop articles touching the locker backs, though the bags lie on their sides without being sealed shut.
Must be learning something because I haven't used the dehumidifier this winter.
Bobobolinsky
New member
Ventilation is definitely the key.
Clothes I store in poundshop vacuum bags and I choose the size according to the locker size
Clothes I store in poundshop vacuum bags and I choose the size according to the locker size
maby
Well-known member
Sorry, sir, but that's far too adventurous for us! We spend a lot of time on the boat all year round, and the dehumidifier runs continuously. The Webasto is on all the time too - we turn it down to a low setting while we're away to protect against frozen pipes. The two together keep the boat bone dry and it comes up to a nice warm temperature within a few minutes after we arrive.
By the way, where in Galicia are you? My wife is from La Coruna and we've spent a lot of time there...
mocruising
Member
Saw a boat recently with liveaboards they had small cell bubble wrap taped over the outside of all their windows and hatches.
CaptainBob
Active member
We wintered twice in the UK (living aboard, two adults, one dog, small boat) without a dehumidifier, without any non-standard insulation, and with practice without condensation - without the heater on all night also.
Close all vents except for one at each end of whatever space you're occupying.
Eg. In the saloon, all doors shut, open a hatch at each end of the saloon, and close all others.
Eg. In the saloon with forward cabin door open. Open hatch at far end of saloon and far end of cabin. Close all others.
Result is a flow of air, and no condensation.
This doesn't solve the under bed condensation - unless you get vent-air mat or something similar.
Close all vents except for one at each end of whatever space you're occupying.
Eg. In the saloon, all doors shut, open a hatch at each end of the saloon, and close all others.
Eg. In the saloon with forward cabin door open. Open hatch at far end of saloon and far end of cabin. Close all others.
Result is a flow of air, and no condensation.
This doesn't solve the under bed condensation - unless you get vent-air mat or something similar.
Wansworth
Well-known member
We are in Lugo where it is cold and damp,the wife is from Cangas.
christhefish
Member
we live aboard a colvic watson 35 it has 29 windows of various sizes we had covers made for the windows that fix on the outside ,these make a real difference.Also have used selotex to insulate under floors and in roof voids,the other thing I have tried this year is camping mats cut and glued to the lockers they are about 10mm thick.we have a reflek heater which is brilliant and a diesel cooker.we always leave a small hatch open and open other hatches when possible....during last winter we coped very well with minimum condensation...... every few weeks we check all lockers and give plenty of fresh air when possible ...we also run a humidifier now and again .we also have a dry mat under the bed,,,but we also lift the mattress every few weeks and just have a good check around ,,,the covers we had made for some of the hatches allow us to open them without loosing the heat but still allow an airflow hope this has been of help
Nostrodamus
New member
Thank you for all the various replies and ideas.
Being in a raised saloon boat with nice big windows all around does not help.
As there are four of us and all the cabins are being used it is difficult on cold nights to persuade people we need ventelation. Same with cooking.As liveaboards we cook a lot and it is difficult to turn down wonderful hot meals.
We do use the dehumidifier and heaters which help.
What I need is a full bubble wrap coat to put right round the Hull in winter or a heated marina both of which I am unlikley to find here.
The only thing we can do is find warmr climates...
Being in a raised saloon boat with nice big windows all around does not help.
As there are four of us and all the cabins are being used it is difficult on cold nights to persuade people we need ventelation. Same with cooking.As liveaboards we cook a lot and it is difficult to turn down wonderful hot meals.
We do use the dehumidifier and heaters which help.
What I need is a full bubble wrap coat to put right round the Hull in winter or a heated marina both of which I am unlikley to find here.
The only thing we can do is find warmr climates...
oldsaltoz
New member
Ventilation ventilation ventilation, will improve your situation, also consider installing some carpet tiles on the walls and deck underside, works a treat.
Good luck and fair winds.
Good luck and fair winds.
