Winter help for a boat on a hard standing with no electric hook up.

[Take5]

My boat is out of the water and I do not have access to an electric hook up.

She is a single petrol engined 27 ft cruiser.

I emptied the water out a month or so back and put anti freeze down the heads as I couldnt get all the water out of their.

I have also had the engine flushed thru with anti-freeze and I removed both batteries, brought them home charged them up and have them stored in a nice dry warm place.

Though it was and still is our intention to use her it is looking less and less likely that this will be very frequently (if it all).

I am reading alot about the use of de-humidifiers for the cabin and a heater for the engines for the winter.
This is my first year to boating and any help as to how I could possibly acheive some form of heat or dehumidifier for the boat when I don't have access to electric, would be much appreciated.

Also, would you recommend I spray some form of WD40 on the engine to repell any moisture?

Cheers.

 

[sarabande]

Re: Winter help for a boat on a hard standing with no electric hook up

The Crystals called "de-humidifiers" are no use in boat's cabin, but Ok in a cupboard or a drawer. They will need drying out frequently, though.

For proper de-humidding, you will need elec, but if that's not available, just arrange for LOTS of ventilation. That way, the air inside will not stay damp and there's no chance of long-term high relative humidity, which is what underlies damp mould.

You would need about 1 kw to keep the boat and engine dryish, but if that is not poss, don't worry with lots of ventilation.

Winterising the engine is another matter. WD40 is pretty feeeble. Castrol do a proper laying up oil
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/subsection.do?categoryId=82958800&contentId=6003633

 

[nickcred]

Hi

Have the same scenario. Our boat is out of the water from November to Easter last three years. We are on the Thames. Usual stufff engine winterised, water system drained, fuel topped up. Boat also covered in Tarpulin.

We have not used crystals but the solid block type which can be purchased from DIY stores. So far in the last three years these have worked fine and only need emptying every 2 months or so. We have never had any damp or mould but the boat is well ventilated.

 

[AIDY]

If you have a spare room at home would recommend removing the cushions onboard. without a dehumid / heating they will get very damp and wet.

 

[Sneds]

The crystal type water traps are cheap at the caravan shop.
They absorb about 1/2 a pint each over two months on our boat.

 

[Take5]

Re: Winter help for a boat on a hard standing with no electric hook up

Thanks again to you all for your info. Do any of you have a link to these crystals or blocks as I am not 100% sure what I am looking for.

Thanks.

 

[AIDY]

Re: Winter help for a boat on a hard standing with no electric hook up

if you google on the lines of "Moisture Crystals" you should find an answer.

 

[nickcred]

Re: Winter help for a boat on a hard standing with no electric hook up

for the life of me I can not remember the manufacturer name of the ones we use. It is a self contained unit with a heavy round solid tablet that slots in the top and water drains into a container below. I think we got them from Robert Dyas. We used two units one in the salon and the other in the cockpit.

 

[Take5]

Re: Winter help for a boat on a hard standing with no electric hook up

Thanks to you both for the advice........Im just going to order a couple now.

 

[Boathook]

Forget crystals and other stuff. Go for ventilation. Works extremely well and does not cost anything once sorted. Went to my boat on Saturday and found her feeling dry if not cold. I do have access to electrics but don't like leaving it on in the yard when I am not there.

 

[DAKA]

Agree with others loads of ventilation.

You need fly screens over port holes to keep out spiders and robins.

Motor shops sell mesh as window sun shades that are perfect as fly screens.


I once went on my boat on a really foggy day and there was fog inside, the following week everywhere was dry and no mould.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Forget crystals, 1/2 pint of water in 2 months! You'd collect more than that in a day from a proper dehumidifier.

I've never had access to power when out of the water and as has been said already proper ventilation is the key. And the cushions etc will only get/feel damp if they've been exposed to salt water. If they do feel damp then bring them home and wash them or they will always stay that way.

Otherwise you seem to be on the right track with your water/engine etc.