keeping the boat dry

[benlui]

Will a lamp left on, on the boat on the marina keep her from getting damp? Shes a 30ft sail boat and i dont want to leave a heater on while im not there...........but i dont want her to be damp when i arrive.......

 

[nigelhudson]

The best type of heater is one of the low wattage tubular types at floor level. Lamps tend to be higher up and therefore don't heat at floor level. Secondly the operating temperature of lamps is far higher than a low wattage heater and therefore there is a slightly higher fire risk associated with them. I have used a lamp for heating purposes but it was an inspection lamp where the bulb was completely enclosed.

 

[Anonymous]

Dehumidifiers are the perfect answer. Many thread here in the past discussing the two different technologies. Once you've had the pleasure of arriving to a really dry boat all winter you will never want to be without.

 

[Koeketiene]

Leave some Pampers - works remarkably well.

After 2-3 weeks, just throw away and leave some new ones.

 

[simonfraser]

wash everything to get rid of the salt, keeps most of the damp away free of charge.

 

[highandry]

I'll second Lemain, I've used a dehumidifier for the first time this winter living aboard. Think I read it on here somewhere but if the air is damp you're just heating damp air...dry the air first and then life gets warmer, even using exactly the same heaters. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[matelot]

no - it will just make her imperceptably warmer. to get rid of damp you need a dehumidifer and a boat that doesnt leak any water.

 

[roger]

A dehumidifier works by condencing water vapour and so recovers energy (about .7 kilowatt hours per litre if I remember the sums correctly. So you get more heat for your mony as well as drying the boat. Dont let the frying go too far or you may find the woodwork shrinking and, even worse, your skin might dry out.

 

[benlui]

So the lamp is no good to keep her from being damp then, is this correct? Problem is, the marina in in will not allow a dehumidifier or a heater, so a lamp seems my only option....

 

[castaway]

I have a dehumidifier in use this year, but due to the fact that my yard manages to nearly double the cost per unit of electric I have it on a timer so it clicks on 4 times a day for 2 hours.

I expect someone will tell me that I am wasting my time etc. but it makes me feel better than leaving it running 24/7

Nick

 

[maxi77]

Ever tried ventilation. I do use heaters, but I believe the key is good ventilation. My heaters are more to prevent freezing as the boat is still in commission.

 

[milfordman]

I have a steel ebbtide 33 which is always bone dry all winter, without the use of any heaters or dehumidifiers. She has one inch of insulation next to the steel skin. All the doors and cupboard doors are made with angled slats so there is plenty of ventilation to all areas. the only area i have had mould forming used to be in the one under bunk locker that has water pipes running through the bottom. I have stopped that by simply lifting the bunk cushions when leave the boat.
The boat is also fitted with 3 generous sized dorade vents which i leave pointing in 3 different directions so which ever way the wind blows there is always a good air flow through the boat. So my answer is Insulate and ventilate.

 

[castaway]

I have to say this is the 1st year i have used a de humidifier...

Usually I have managed pretty well with the good ventilation method, however this year I am having the old girl stripped and painted (2 pack above and epoxy below the waist line) so getting the moisture levels down is more my issue than preventing mold..

Nick

 

[benlui]

Yes i agree with good ventalation. I have good ventilation onboard, and i beleive this is the key. I also life all the seat covers when leaving her for a few days, i beleive this allows the circulation of air to travel more easly. Ive left a light (25wt) bulb on, the last week. So when i go there this morning, it will be interessting to see how "dry" she is........