Dehumidifier

[DIW]

Opinions please -should I use the dehumidifier all through the summer or restict usage to 'winter' months say late September to April ?

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[nordic_ranger]

In my opinion dehumidifiers are virtualy useless unless you have a virtualy sealed boat and a major water ingress problem. Best to keep a small fan running this will circulate air and keep the boat fresh and cuts out mould this applies summer and winter.

Jim.

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[Planty]

We purchased a dehumidifier early winter last year, and have run it whenever at mooring ever since. Drain pipe into shower, during week, self contained bucket at weekends. There is no doubt IMHO that it has significantly improved on board comfort, especially on Friday nights on arrival at boat, not a hint of "clammy" bedlinen and to look out of clear windows in the morning is a delight. Only night it wasn't on, moored at Lymington Town Quay (no electric), 4 people on board, windows were dripping wet. I think we'll keep it running until no significant collection into bucket, then on again about late September. Paul

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[studgies]

I got one for ours last year and it is one of the best things I ever bought! We ran it all winter to keep mildew etc at bay, not sure how much we will use it through the summer, ours has a humidistat so will probubly leave it on and let it do it's thing.



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[barryjl]

I agree 100% - the dehumidifier I bought at the beginning of last winter, coupled with a small oil filled radiator has kept the interior superb. I think I might continue with dehumidifier throuought the summer.

<hr width=100% size=1>There's no problems..just opportunities

 

[l'escargot]

Even if the boat is not completely sealed, a dehumidifier will make the air considerably drier inside as long as you reduce draughts. I would say they are essential if you are leaving cushions and bedding on board. A fan will only recirculate damp air in the winter. It may be of some benefit in the summer when the air is drier and the higher temperature deters mould.

I usually put the dehumidifier on for a day after we return from a trip just to get rid of any remaining condensation from cooking or sleeping people. I find that when we are actually on board, open hatches and movement etc. keeps the boat adequately aired.

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[i_sail]

I liveaboard - could not manage without one. Previously damp bedding in the morning.....nice? Now crisp and dry. If you leave ports open in winter to keep the boat aired, you risk the headlining glue rotting and then the headlining droops down.

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[PhilF]

Def leave on, makes all the difference, also helps to dry the towels

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[Medskipper]

Iv'e been boating fifteen years and never used one until last winter! I have to say that it did make a big difference to the boat. Everything felt nice and dry and the whole boat smelt much better.

On the down side, I of course had to leave the power plugged in all winter say about four months and there was a huge difference in the amount left on my anodes which I have just changed last week. So I would think that if I left the boat hooked up to the power all summer long as well, I would have no anodes left at all by next spring!

I don't think the boat needs it when we have warmer conditions, and why risk losing your props and god knows what else when its not that necessary?

Barry


<hr width=100% size=1>I just want to retire with my boat to the Med!

 

[Mollari]

As a live aboard ours runs 24/7/365, absolutely essential.

<hr width=100% size=1>http:\\mysite.freeserve.com/leisure_marine_prep

 

[peter.penman]

I've used an electric de-humidifier for years and found it invaluable. However, last summer I experimented with a couple of 'chemical' dehumidifiers for summer use (it meant I could take the de-humidifier off the boat saving space and hassle) and these proved adequate. It was quite surprising just how much moisture these would collect over the summer. My boat is only two years old and as such is fairly waterproof so all the moisture was from the air.

I tried using them over the winter but I had to revert back to the 'proper' one for winter use.

Peter.

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