Removing Damp ??????

[wasnotwas]

Hi My Boats fabric seating has become a little damp over winter as we don't have shore power facility can you tell me any good ways to remove the damp from the fabric and best ways to prevent this happening again? Thanks

 

[VicS]

Improved ventilation of the boat

Prop the cushions up to allow an air flow all around them.

Air on a sunny day.

Take home and store in a dry slightly warmed room

 

[pvb]

Totally agree. Ventilation is the answer. I leave my upholstery on the boat all winter, with reasonable ventilation, and never have a problem (and never use a dehumidifier).

 

[Pye_End]

If they are likely to have got salt in them, then take them home and wash them.

 

[Vallich]

Totally agree. Ventilation is the answer. I leave my upholstery on the boat all winter, with reasonable ventilation, and never have a problem (and never use a dehumidifier).

+1

My boat's on a swing mooring thoughout the winter with no probs but she's a bit drafty so that helps.

 

[Momac]

Moisture traps may help
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/21538/Moisture-Trap


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[Mistroma]

Moisture traps may help
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/21538/Moisture-Trap

I put moisture traps in any parts where ventilation is very poor and try to keep good ventilation elsewhere on the boat. I found a cheap way of making a moisture trap, just put a cheap plastic kitchen sieve over a small plastic container and fill the sieve with dessicant. I was lucky to have several containers of just the right size (& plenty of depth) so cost was about 79p per trap and I've used them for many years.

I buy kgs of Calcium Chloride instead of a few 100gms of moisture trap refills. Much cheaper and what most refills contain anyway.

 

[Tim Good]

I ensure every hatch, door, cushion or shelf is open and or flung around the cabin over winter to ensure max air flow around everything. Then ventilation is good but if you can have a draft its 10 times better. So a gap in the front hatch and a few slits in the washboards is the usual I suppose. If you have a descent solar panel then you can rig up a few computer CPU fans which are remarkably strong and only run on about 200ma. You'll need to do the math to ensure they won't flatten the battery.

 

[Boathook]

Totally agree. Ventilation is the answer. I leave my upholstery on the boat all winter, with reasonable ventilation, and never have a problem (and never use a dehumidifier).

I do the same, but as I have access to mains power, when on board I have tubular heaters on all the time (except during the summer!)