Novice boat owner advice for dehumidifier

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Lola69

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Hi folks. We have taken the plunge and bought a beautiful S42. Equally excited and terrified as this is our first boat - but very keen to start learning as much as we can.
She’s currently waiting on anode changed and antifouling but after this we plan to put her into our berth on the lakes here in Enniskillen. I wanted to check if any if you have any recommendations for a decent dehumidifier so we can ensure she doesn’t suffer from damp etc if we aren’t down. (We live over 2.5hrs drive away so can’t just nip down every day)
Thanks in advance for any suggestions. ☺️
 
ss2016 said:
I use a Meaco also. The same or similar. Make sure you have a good run for the outlet pipe into a sink.
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Or you can use the reservoir without the drain pipe but then it will shut down when full. Make sure the pipe has a continuous downhill run to the sink. The pipe needs a hole punched in the top of the pipe as it leaves the drain spigot; not just a slit cut into it but a small piece of pipe removed. Don't put a desiccant dehumidifier on a time switch; it needs to go through its shutdown cycle when switched off. Plus one for the Meaco DD8L Junior. It also has a slight heating effect.
 
Plus 1 for Meaco, and especially for the dessicant recommendation.

Arrange the thing so it can be on all the time assuming you have shore power, with a drain to the galley sink. In that boat IIRC the galley is in the cockpit so you might struggle to arrange a drain for the lower level.
 
Sticky Fingers said:
Plus 1 for Meaco, and especially for the dessicant recommendation.

Arrange the thing so it can be on all the time assuming you have shore power, with a drain to the galley sink. In that boat IIRC the galley is in the cockpit so you might struggle to arrange a drain for the lower level.
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Mine drains into one of the shower drains. It sits on the floor so less vulnerable than perched on the sideboard.
 
Thanks so much everyone for your help - one more question if I can be cheeky - thoughts on tubular heaters for engine bays for the boat as she’ll be left in the marina over the winter - good idea or not?? Again thanks in advance for any advice it’s just invaluable.
 
Lola69 said:
Thanks so much everyone for your help - one more question if I can be cheeky - thoughts on tubular heaters for engine bays for the boat as she’ll be left in the marina over the winter - good idea or not?? Again thanks in advance for any advice it’s just invaluable.
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Yes I use them, good idea. Engine rooms are usually ventilated so dehumidification is difficult to impossible.
 
We also have a Meaco -it can sit on the galley worktop and drain down the sink. It also heats and many liveabords seem to use for this purpose. While we do bag bedding it serves to stop cushions being removed and blinds going mouldy . We never bother with any heaters for engine room but we have sails. Also put dessicant hanging bags in cabin and wardrobes if leaving clothes on board. Clearly a lot depends on your location -we are in Portsmouth harbour so not that cold uk wise.
 
Lola69 said:
Thanks so much everyone for your help - one more question if I can be cheeky - thoughts on tubular heaters for engine bays for the boat as she’ll be left in the marina over the winter - good idea or not?? Again thanks in advance for any advice it’s just invaluable.
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I have mine on thermostatic timer switches that switch if the temp drops below 6C
 
A plus for the engine bay tubular heater. Although as far as dehumidifier goes I personally have found that good ventilation beats my humidifier hands down in the prevention of black mold. Unfortunately the choice is either or.
 
I also have the Meaco dd8L desiccant dehumidifier from November to March. I let it fill it's own tank but I live nearby.
It's best to seal all vents as this reduces the energy consumed by the dehumidifier.
 
Momac said:
I also have the Meaco dd8L desiccant dehumidifier from November to March. I let it fill it's own tank but I live nearby.
It's best to seal all vents as this reduces the energy consumed by the dehumidifier.
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As I expect you know, dehumidifiers produce distilled water, good for steam irons, battery topping up, screenwashers, engine coolant etc.
 
PeterBoater said:
As I expect you know, dehumidifiers produce distilled water, good for steam irons, battery topping up, screenwashers, engine coolant etc.
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Not really sure the water from a desiccant dehumidifier is pure enough for battery topping up.
However I did use some in engine coolant.
 
rafiki_ said:
Mine drains into one of the shower drains. It sits on the floor so less vulnerable than perched on the sideboard.
Click to expand...
Depending on the boat, this does require the batteries leaving switched on so that the shower sump pump (activated by a float switch when the level rises) pumps the water out of the boat, otherwise it just overflows or backs up and you'll gradually fill the bilges or flood the heads.

Sinks are generally better as they usually drain just using gravity through a skin fitting above the waterline.

Also, and this might be a little obvious, but leave all the interior doors open, and ideally cupboard doors, and the fridge door (fridge switched off) so that it doesn't go mouldy.
 
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