Any good ways to avoid mildew over the winter?

[brick75]

Took my cover off for the first time this year and found that the vinyl on the sun deck had quite a bit of mildew on it, and a little on the steering wheel as well. I was hoping this wouldn't be the case given that the cover I got had vents in it, but apparently that isn't enough to keep it dry in there.

Does anyone have any good techniques or are there any effective products out there to help prevent this? I've heard people mention some kind of product that is supposed to absorb moisture. Does anyone know what that is, and does it work well?

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Any good ways to avoid mildew over the winter?

The product you are looking for is a dessicant pack, they are sold under different brand names but if you do a search for dessicant you will find them.

Vents in covers will be at their peak effectiveness when there is a vent at the highest point of the bow area, the windshield area, and the stern area. You also want to be sure and not have any sags in the cover.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Any good ways to avoid mildew over the winter?

While there is no a sure fire cure, if you make sure it is good and dry before you put it in storage it helps. If you've got pour in foam in your bilge this can be a tough job but you can enhance the ventalation with fans under the cover during storage. You an run them once a week and that does seem to help. I've had it happen with old covers and new covers so it's not like it's something already living in the covers. If the humidity is elevated under the cover it's going to happen.

 

[emoney]

Re: Any good ways to avoid mildew over the winter?

I've heard of folks using a dehumidifier, but that's gonna take some juice.

They do sell dessicants in some of the big box stores like Wal Mart. I've never really looked at them to know how big of an area they cover, but you could always put more than one in there. Dessicants pull the moisture out of the air which is where most of the problems lie. We use them on a small scale in the Hearing Aid Industry to help keep moisture out of hearing instruments.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Any good ways to avoid mildew over the winter?

Get out to a few gun supply websites. They sell desicant for gun safes. Might cost a few bucks, but you can acquire this stuff in quantity. It'll last, as all you have to do to revive it is heat in a low oven for a few hours.

 

[smatsinger]

Re: Any good ways to avoid mildew over the winter?

I put a canister of DampRid in my Cuddy Cabin over the winter, seemed to work fine. You can pick them up at any major store like Walmart or Home Depot. Cost about $10.