Dead area condensation?

[Travelling Westerly]

I opened up an area around the sugar scoop in the aft cabin and it was full of black mould and condensation! Yuck!
I cleaned it out and left the wooden panels off to check it was not leaking through the aft boarding ladder bolts. It's not and I'm guessing it's purely condensation as the sugar scoop GRP thickness is thin and its unlined.
What's the best way of stopping this? I'm going to cut some vents into the access panels but is there a liner I can paint on or anything like that to stop condensation forming? What about ramming it full of loft insulation or will that end up a mess later on?
Thanks

 

[johnalison]

You could clean it out and paint with anti mould paint, of the sort sold for bathrooms and the like.

 

[simonfraser]

I opened up an area around the sugar scoop in the aft cabin and it was full of black mould and condensation! Yuck!
I cleaned it out and left the wooden panels off to check it was not leaking through the aft boarding ladder bolts. It's not and I'm guessing it's purely condensation as the sugar scoop GRP thickness is thin and its unlined.
What's the best way of stopping this? I'm going to cut some vents into the access panels but is there a liner I can paint on or anything like that to stop condensation forming? What about ramming it full of loft insulation or will that end up a mess later on?
Thanks

vent it, when did you last check it ?

 

[HissyFit]

You could try insulating the area with this stuff:

Amazon Self Adhesive foam.

Even with mould resistant paint, you'll still get the condensation unless you've insulated.

 

[V1701]

Ramming it full of loft insulation you'd likely end up with a sodden, heavy mess. Self-adhesive closed cell foam theoretically should help if it can be well and truly stuck in place without air pockets. Personally I wouldn't do anything more than ventilate as best you can and give it a clean occasionally, as you might with cockpit lockers...

 

[Travelling Westerly]

I checked again this morning and there was moisture on the surface again. It's still clean and smells better after I used bleach to clean it out with.
Looks like ventilation is the only way then with periodic inspections/clean up. Space is too difficult to fit out with closed cell insulation.
Just ordered some plastic vents and hole saw to size.
Cheers guys

 

[Travelling Westerly]

You could try insulating the area with this stuff:

Amazon Self Adhesive foam.

Even with mould resistant paint, you'll still get the condensation unless you've insulated.

Ah sorry I missed this reply, forgot my glasses!
Yes I like the look of that! Worth a punt for £25. Thanks

 

[HissyFit]

Ramming it full of loft insulation you'd likely end up with a sodden, heavy mess. Self-adhesive closed cell foam theoretically should help if it can be well and truly stuck in place without air pockets. Personally I wouldn't do anything more than ventilate as best you can and give it a clean occasionally, as you might with cockpit lockers...

For those doing a full strip-out and refit, there is the option of spraying expanding closed-cell foam onto the surfaces. However, this is the preserve of specialist application companies, and they already have a reputation for charging ridiculous amounts for even modest boats. If you can work out surface areas / volumes involved, it is best to get an indicative quote based on this before mentioning the word 'yacht'.

 

[[70521]]

My transom has two ventilators fix on it. One has a hose that goes to the engine area and the other is open to provide ventilation to where the steering gear is hidden. I've never spotted mold in there.

 

[Daverw]

Could putting a small computer fan in one side to push some air through work?

 

[Billjratt]

It must have ventillation, otherwise, where is the damp air coming from? How about a bag of dessicant ?

 

[Travelling Westerly]

It must have ventillation, otherwise, where is the damp air coming from? How about a bag of dessicant ?

There is definitely no ventilation, well until now.
2 vents cut in, both with computer fans fitted (1 blow, 1 suck) and area lined with HissyFits idea.
Been clear for just over a week now