Heater for winterizing boat

[Yealm]

Wonder what type of heater to use over Winter to keep off frost/mould ? And what wattage (eg for 32 foot, on the hard, shore power) or type?

And more generally, whether heater and dehumidifier both needed, or preference for one or the other? And should one keep hatches slightly open to allow ventilation?

Thnsks!

 

[ctva]

Small 120w thermostatically controlled tube heater in the engine compartment. In the main cabin no heater needed, either ventilation or dehumidifier. I use a dehumidifier as far better to keep the boat dry and puts a wee bit of warmth in. Works well in the cold damp of the west coast.

 

[RupertW]

If it’s not too often below zero then a dehumidifier is much more effective and uses a lot less energy as it only slightly heats but cold dry air is far less damaging and smelly than cold wet air.

And off we go into the realms of people who genuinely believe their boats don’t smell or get mould, even on cushions, curtains and clothing left on board and uncovered for months on end by ventilation alone in a cold wet climate.

 

[dunedin]

Wonder what type of heater to use over Winter to keep off frost/mould ? And what wattage (eg for 32 foot, on the hard, shore power) or type?

And more generally, whether heater and dehumidifier both needed, or preference for one or the other? And should one keep hatches slightly open to allow ventilation?

Thnsks!

We keep our boat afloat and in commission, and even in Scotland the salt sea water never freezes (even when -8C Air) hence we don’t winterise the boat. We use three small tube heaters and a dehumidifier.

Ashore the boat is much more exposed to frost damage. Hence would be more tempted to do proper winterising in case of frozen water damage. Having done that, then like in Scandinavia perhaps better left without heaters or dehumidifier?

 

[Moodysailor]

Another vote for the tube heaters, safe, simple, effective and cheap. Always a dehumidifier for us too ;-)

 

[V1701]

Would suggest a dessicant type dehumidifier as more effective at lower temps, e.g. Meaco or Ecoair and close up as best you can. If they get wind that the D word has been mentioned there will likely be several people along shortly who will tell you that unless you can hermetically seal your boat dehumidifiers are a waste of time. They are absolutely not. And the same people will insist that all you need is ventilation, well in my experience in cold and wet climes like ours ventilation alone is not enough to stop stuff getting damp & mouldy...

 

[Dutch01527]

My yacht club pontoon does not have power so little choice about using ventilation alone. The boat stays in the water over winter.

My Dehler has a permanent vent built all around a cover that the companionway top hatch slides into. Difficult to describe. Seems to work very well. No ( or so little as to not be noticeable) damp, smell or mould much to my surprise. Also very little condensation when occupied overnight. Down side is that she does tend to get cold and needs the heating to be used.

Despite what some people believe it is possible to control damp via ventilation. Think of houses, old drafty houses rarely had condensation issues. Modern air sealed houses often do especially on cold windows or walls that are not well insulated.

 

[sgr143]

I have an 80W tube heater controlled by a thermostat set at about 5C (28-foot boat). It stops me worrying about the water systems freezing up if the temperature goes below zero. I also have a "Kontrol" moisture trap in each of the aft cabin, saloon and fore-cabin; the CaCl2 pucks need replenishing every few months, but I'm happier with that than leaving an electric dehumidifier running.

 

[Babylon]

... And the same people will insist that all you need is ventilation, well in my experience in cold and wet climes like ours ventilation alone is not enough to stop stuff getting damp & mouldy...

Ummm... over thirteen cold wet southern UK winters of ownership, stuff on my boat has never gotten particularly damp or even remotely mouldy.

But its got three hoofing great dorade vents plus sizeable vent holes in the acrylic washboards, so maybe ventilation isn't quite so irrelevant?