Dehumidifier for boat on mooring

[eddystone]

Due to circumstances it’s unlikely I will be able to launch until some time in August this year. I’ve no intention of spending the money on anti fouling for 3 months so she will stay on mooring over winter with a quick lift out in spring to change propeller anode.
For the last two years boat has been ashore overwinter with Meaco running all the time.
What would be the best chemical solution for a bot on a mooring.

 

[eddystone]

Or even a boat!

 

[simonfraser]

fix all the leaks, leave a bit of ventiation and you're done

 

[pvb]

Ventilation is the key thing.

 

[eddystone]

Well there are 3 dorade vents and the holes in the Perspex washboard so I guess that’s enough

 

[sarabande]

Chemical dehumidifers are Useless. Once they have absorbed their (miniscule) quota of atmospheric water, they stop working until they are dried out in the oven again.

Loads of natural ventilation does the trick, plus making sure that the bilges stay dry as possible. I kept a boat overwinter on the Tamar with just ventilation, and she was fine.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Chemical dehumidifers are Useless. Once they have absorbed their (miniscule) quota of atmospheric water, they stop working until they are dried out in the oven again.

I use the type which turns into liquid (ie not silica gel) in my old Citroen DS when it is laid up for the winter and it works very well. I normally have to do one crystal change about midway through. That's with windows up and cover on in a garage, though. No use at all for anything ventilated.

Loads of natural ventilation does the trick, plus making sure that the bilges stay dry as possible. I kept a boat overwinter on the Tamar with just ventilation, and she was fine.

I agree. My boat spends every winter ashore with a mushroom vent open in the forecabin and a louvre in the top washboard and I have no problems at all with damp. If there is enough getting in to need a dehumidifier there is a leak, and leaks can be fixed.

 

[Jmc1764]

Maybe a sack of salt ?

 

[WoodyP]

If you take off anything that is affected by damp such as paper and leave cushions up if you can't take them home with plenty of ventilation you should be fine. Don't leave lifejackets on board in cupboards and if you can remove electronic devices to the spare room

 

[eddystone]

If it’s in the Tamar over winter I’m going to be at least day sailing so no question of removing kit. I misspoke (is that the correct phrase) have 2 mushrooms and 1 dorade. Chemical things that rely on bowls of slop aren’t ideal if one plans to go sailing so question is whether bags of silica gel would have any impact whatsoever

 

[JumbleDuck]

If it’s in the Tamar over winter I’m going to be at least day sailing so no question of removing kit. I misspoke (is that the correct phrase) have 2 mushrooms and 1 dorade. Chemical things that rely on bowls of slop aren’t ideal if one plans to go sailing so question is whether bags of silica gel would have any impact whatsoever

I think chemical things are worth considering if there are any small volumes with very limited ventilation which you want to keep dry. Somewhere with instruments, say. Difficult for large volumes and pointless if there is any significant ventilation.

I use one in the DS because otherwise the foam-covered steering wheel goes mouldy and sticky over the winter.

 

[LittleSister]

Well there are 3 dorade vents and the holes in the Perspex washboard so I guess that’s enough

question is whether bags of silica gel would have any impact whatsoever

Not with ventilation: you'll be trying to dry the universe out! And not much without ventilation, either.

Make sure all interior surfaces are clean and not salty, and ventilate well. Unless you've got leaks, or use the boat every week and get the inside sodden with cooking condensation and/or dripping oilies etc., ventilation should be enough.

 

[johnalison]

I think chemical things are worth considering if there are any small volumes with very limited ventilation which you want to keep dry. Somewhere with instruments, say. Difficult for large volumes and pointless if there is any significant ventilation.

I use one in the DS because otherwise the foam-covered steering wheel goes mouldy and sticky over the winter.

They have their uses. I use one in the cockpit locker, where the electric panel and charger live. I also used to use one over the winter in our previous Sadler 29 after removing all furnishings, for which it was adequate.

 

[JumbleDuck]

They have their uses. I use one in the cockpit locker, where the electric panel and charger live. I also used to use one over the winter in our previous Sadler 29 after removing all furnishings, for which it was adequate.

The one I use pulls about a litre of water out of the air, which is not too bad as long as no more is getting in.

 

[Stemar]

I've used chemical dehumidifiers and they're a waste of money, at least on anything that's open to the atmosphere. They absorb their litre or two of water, then they're dissolved and gone, The atmosphere doesn't care, it's got plenty more water, especially in Cornwall in winter, and all you've created is a vacancy.

If you take off anything that is affected by damp such as paper and leave cushions up if you can't take them home with plenty of ventilation you should be fine. Don't leave lifejackets on board in cupboards and if you can remove electronic devices to the spare room

This is what I'd do, though I'd add, leave all cupboards and lockers open, including those under berths. Oh, and fix those leaky windows! (not suggesting yours are, but I suffered for years)