heater or dehumidifier

[searover]

Hi can you experianced ones out there tell me what would be best in your opinion. I have a small sailing boat left afloat this year, and in the marina. ive noticed quite a lot of condensatoin up under the side decks in the lockers amidships, i have a little 700 watt heater with thermastat , and left it on the boat during the week with stat at halfe setting.and this has kept the boat dry i think.?? i say that i think cos the temp seems to be a little higher, outside since i put in the heater, will a dehunidifier be better or would i be better leaving heater on in winter months ???? any info much apreciated.

 

[sailorman]

i use both, boat warm & dry

 

[LORDNELSON]

I use both and it does keep the boat warm and dry. However sometimes I have just run the heater without the dehumidifier and that seems to keep the boat reasonably dry, but I think you have to ensure a little ventilation if you are just using a heater.

 

[StugeronSteve]

Use both. Heater set to frost guard and dehumidifier with humidistat set to a reasonable level.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Agree - both. De-humidifiers work much much better at +15 deg C. In fact, they are pretty hopeless below 7C - which is why they often have integral air heaters to warm the air as it passes through the dehumidifier. Good compressor-less ones cost £150. But B&Q charge £75 for a nice small one with compressor. Rated at 10L a day - but only at 30 degrees C.

 

[QuietFlight]

Only used two tube heaters last season, which was not too bad. However, have now added a small dehumidifier as well as the heaters for this season and what a difference. Warm and dry, you really do feel the difference when you open up the boat. I think also, if like me you are a 12 month sailor, it makes for a more comfortable life on board. I know many who also swear by using the dehumidifier all year round, especially after a weekend when maybe you have had a number on board sleeping, takes a surprising amount of moisture out of the boat?

 

[searover]

Thanks to all replys, i think then i will buy one of those B Q, ones and use both heater and dehumidifier. thanks again chaps the experiance on here is second to none