Damp

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CJ1

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I am a first time boat owner (27’Moody) and this is the first winter I have had to face with my boat ashore. It is sitting on the hard on a small creek, with no access to power. Does anyone have any advice on how to minimise damp? I went aboard this weekend and noticed that all the cushions and bunks were decidedly damp to the touch. I am thinking of carting the whole lot home and putting it in a spare room, but wondered if more experienced owners have any advice that would help ?
 
If you can remove the paddle wheel then this give another ventillation point. I put a wire mesh barrier over the outside of the resultant hole, held in place by a length of line inside the boat. One more thing to remember before launching ;-)
 
You could try turning all the cushions up on edge so that any moving air gets all round them. The cold surface of the bunks below them does not help. But really you would be better to take them all home. That is what I do & it gives the wife a chance to give them a good clean
 
With our Sadler 29 we invariably took all soft furnishings home for the winter, as well as anything electronic or perishable. It was about one and a half carloads for a hatchback. I usually left one or two of those pots with granules, and the results were OK. With my larger boat and no chance of removing all the gear a dehumidifier is much more effective and the running cost is lower than using heat for the same effect.

In general, a boat ashore will stay drier than one in the water. With the mast down, a boat cover with a frame can be effective, but I have always thought it too much effort, and it has to be sturdy to avoid damage. An important point is to avoid getting salt inside, and since this is impossible, it helps to wipe clean all interior surfaces.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice. Based on the consensus, I think I’ll just take the lot home.
 
I take almost everything off the boat- cushions, cutlery, books etc & just leave hardware such as fenders & tools.
Having emptied the boat each season I get a tub of hand wipes & add a small cupfull of water mixed with 75% Flash to the tub & give it a good shake. Then I go round the whole boat & wipe clean all the surfaces, especially under the side decks and anywhere mould might start. In those areas, I do not wipe dry after I have cleaned, leaving a slightly damp surface.
The theory is that the Flash will kill the mould spores.
Seems to work as I do not get any mould. The extra water/Flash mix helps the handwipes work much better Esp. around the cooker, heads, sinks, lockers, handles etc where the inevitable marks occur.
It is much easier to do with little in the way & a quick wipe at the start of the season & everything is good to go.
Another thing about removing everything is that one can be critical about what one puts back. It is amazing how much weighty junk accumulates over a season. Not so easy for those with boats a long way from home though.
 
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