Mildew problem?

[GatorMike]

I have a 99 Wellcraft that I have had for about 9 years. I never had a problem keeping the boat clean until last year. During the rainy season here in Florida I screwed up and left the plug in the boat after she sat for about 3 months I climbed into the boat to find my bilge was full of green slimy water. I drained it but mold and mildew were already growing everywhere.

Since that time I have pressure washed the boat numerous times, each time I had mildew growing everywhere. I figure there must be a ton of it growing in my bilge. Does anybody have any ideas on how to cure this problem? I keep the boat pretty dry but there is no way to get under the deck and dry things out completely. I think this Florida climate compounds the problem.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Mildew problem?

it does, the humidity is brutal. Try mixing some bleach and water up in a pump up sprayer and spray as much of the bilge as you can, then let it sit for a while. Keep all hatches open when the boat is stored.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Mildew problem?

They sell a mildew remover at our local sanitary supply store. Works pretty good.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Mildew problem?

Hey Capt.sam, I guess since it is my thread it is alright if I highjack it for a second. I see you are from Naples? I am headding your way (Marco Island) for a week of snook fishing next weekend and was wondering how the fish are biteing? Any bait in the water, along the beaches? Are the snook out in the passes and beaches yet? We'll probably fish Rookery bay and Big Marco Pass mostly. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Mildew problem?

The dilute clorox in a pump sprayer is what I would do. Just be careful of what you spray it on. Even dilute at 50 or 25% clorox, it will still bleach out colors if left on long enough.

A pump sprayer is the right tool to spray the mix in the deep recesses of the bilge. It will kill all the mildew and mold in the bilge.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Mildew problem?

Hey Capt.sam, I guess since it is my thread it is alright if I highjack it for a second. I see you are from Naples? I am headding your way (Marco Island) for a week of snook fishing next weekend and was wondering how the fish are biteing? Any bait in the water, along the beaches? Are the snook out in the passes and beaches yet? We'll probably fish Rookery bay and Big Marco Pass mostly. Thanks in advance for any info.

fishing's been good, I fished the beach last night and caught 3 or 4 snook off Keywadin. Bait has been pretty easy to find, the wind has been the only issue. Let me know if you need anything.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Mildew problem?

Thanks for the offer Capt. but we shouldn't be needing anything. We are bringing 2 boats, my center console for the beaches and my sons 16 ft jonboat for the backwater. We go to Marco for a week every summer and haven't had to hire a guide in years. I am pretty familliar with the waters and we always seem to find the snook, I have a honey hole or two. This year will be a little different tho we usually go in May, June or Sept. This will be the first April trip. Looking forward to being able to keep a snook or two. Thanks again for the info.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Mildew problem?

lol, I'm not a guide bro but if there's anything I can help you with let me know.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Mildew problem?

You also could try a product called TSP it's a concentrate and work wonders on mold and mildew. Worked great when I left my drain plug in over the winter on my old tri hull in 99 mold & mildew never returned just real good.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Mildew problem?

Thanks Fanny, TSP or Tri Sodium Phosphate I believe it is called is used around here mixed with chlorox to clean shingles. My problem is not with the mold I can get at but the stuff that is growing in nooks and crannies. I think I have it growing in the foam area under the deck. With the humidity and subtropical climate here in Florida the stuff thrives once it has a foothold. Sounds like I need to remove some deck hardware so I can spray Clorox and maybe TSP everywhere I can get to.

Thus far all I have done is surface cleaning with a pressure washer and in a month or two the stuff starts creeping back. Like I said before for the first 6 or 7 years I owned this boat I didn't have the problem which leads me to think in order to cure the problem I have to kill most all the mildew.