Winter layup

[Canboria]

I have recently purchased my first yacht a 199 Hunter Ranger 265, I intend to leave aflot in local Marina over the winter with intent of using on good days, my question is what is the best way to keep the inside dry,damp and mildew free, I have had conflicting information, use a heater, if so what type, do you leave it on 24x7 or use a timer and thermostat, others have suggested that they do nothing except take home all of the soft furnishings, some use humidifiers, or a damp absorbing tray with crystals.

 

[BarryD]

A greenhouse / oil filled rad to hold the temperature up and a de-humidifier (can't spell) draininig ninto either the bilge or straight out, seem to be the recomended options.

First boat too, this year and I'm keen to find out what works or doesn't!

 

[robp]

Yes, £99 B&Q de-humidifier. Make sure that it will take a drain hose. (you can normally cut a blank out of the back for this). Couple of those tubular grenhouse heaters mounted on strips of wood, one near the engine, one in saloon. Leave all the soft stuff in. You can still stow it easily for the odd day or two out. It'll be as sweet as a nut.

 

[Guest]

Rob B is spot on. The B&Q de-humidifyer at £99.00 is great value in my opinion and works A1 for me.

I have mine on a timer 2 hours at about midday ( the makers say it works better above 7 degrees or so) and 2 hours in the early evening when the temp drops and the R/H rises.

If you are going to leave it all week unattended you will need a >25ltr container or an auto bilge pump for the water generated! The B&Q model will accept a std garden hose pipe.

(I have seen what appears to be an identical model for 2X the price in the mail order catalogues).

Good luck.

 

[Scubadoo]

My boat is of a similar size and I do the following with complete sucess:

1. 450watt Oil Filled Rad (Honeywell Mini) in the engine bay (Keeps temp around 9-12c)
2. 650watt Oil Filled Rad in the cabin (Keeps around 10-12c).
3. Large size Crystal (last about 2/3months) - I keep mine in the Sink.
4. Leave as many doors open, I protect some of them with polythene. Any lockers under cabin seats leave open, the best way I find to circulate air is to use those foam pipe covers, just push them under the seating.

My moisture meter reads 50/60%, damp starts at 70%. I have never had any damp or mould problems todate.

Lastly the boat will stay warmer if kept in the water - it's like an insulator to the engine bay and cabin. Also I tend to drain off my water tank and use 3ltr water containers (for winter only).

I use my boat all year round and find my set-up not time consuming to set-up and you get great winter still days.

Lastly this year (but still thinking about it) of installing tube heaters in the engine bay, two - 3ft (total of 400watt-ish)that can be permanently installed - note tube heater don't generally have thermostats therefore you can buy the plug in type thermostats. Also a 3ft cabin tube heater.

I hope my 3years experience will help you.

RM.
PS. Remember you can have power cuts, therefore wise to check boat reguarly - I keep thermometers in engine bay and cabin that have a min/max temp reading, handing when away for a couple weeks.