Big water droplets on ceilings: what is it?

[Hai Nhi]

Good morning.

I asked this question on Sea Ray forum without success.

I was looking at a '98 Sea Ray 270. It was noon time, sunny day, no raining the last couple of weeks.

I noticed lots of water droplets on the ceiling of the cabin, just like condensations when you take a very hot long showers without turning on the exhaust fan. The size of the droplets were probably 1/4"-1/2". The floor was wet too, probably 'cause of falling down water.

I asked the seller, he said the blue cover tarp was blown away in last month when it was raining. I'm not sure what that had to do with it.

So what might be the cause? Is it a big deal?

If my offer gets accepted, what do I ask the surveyor to double check? The sliding door was very sticky. They might have it open all night. This is at a local small broker btw.

Thanks.

Nhi

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Big water droplets on ceilings: what is it?

He gave you a big clue when he mentioned the tarp. I'm guessing there is a leak somewhere topside.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Big water droplets on ceilings: what is it?

Surveyor should check the entire boat, foredeck, cabin etc. with a moisture meter.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Big water droplets on ceilings: what is it?

The "no rain for a couple of weeks" is the scary part of your story. Any rain that may have migrated across the ceiling naturally from the LAST rain should have evaporated within a day or two. Sounds like there's water hiding somewhere that's slowly finding it's way out. Has it done any damage, is it fixable, etc...?

Personal opinion-- there's a dry boat out there with your name on it, and your time would be better spent finding it!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Big water droplets on ceilings: what is it?

Consider this..

The door is slightly ajar or there is some water, any water, in the bilge.
If the night is clear the upper surfaces of the boat will cool as much at 10F below the air temperature due to Radiative Cooling.
The temperature of the cabin ceiling is now below the ambient dew-point and condensation will form big time.
Just like in the shower without ventilation, the air is humid and the ceiling is cold.

The weather forecast is calling for rain inside the house!

 

[Hai Nhi]

Re: Big water droplets on ceilings: what is it?

Consider this..

The door is slightly ajar or there is some water, any water, in the bilge.
If the night is clear the upper surfaces of the boat will cool as much at 10F below the air temperature due to Radiative Cooling.
The temperature of the cabin ceiling is now below the ambient dew-point and condensation will form big time.
Just like in the shower without ventilation, the air is humid and the ceiling is cold.

The weather forecast is calling for rain inside the house!

So if the door is open, that's the cause of the condensation, not a leak. Should be a door problem then? No mold stain or anything like that.

If it's a minor problem couple with a good deal then it might be worth checking instead of running away from it without even a consideration, correct?

. Thanks as always

Nhi

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Big water droplets on ceilings: what is it?

Cabins turning into saunas during the night is a common complaint.
Add a few people breathing in there and the issue only gets worse.

The only real solutions are to heat the area to keep the temperature well above the dew-point;
Provide plenty of powered ventilation (a fan) to control the humidity;
Or, Air Condition the space to remove the excess water.

From the description, unless you have any real indications of a leak, it sounds like condensation common to all boats.
A leak would tend to be localized and be accompanied by stains.

Condensation would tend to be everywhere.
Condensed water is nature's version of distilled water and is 100% pure and stain free.

Check for water in the bilge; It can make the cabins swampy.
Is the boat in a slip or on a trailer?

 

[Ned L]

Re: Big water droplets on ceilings: what is it?

Yep, fiberglas boats are terrible for condensation. The worst thing you can do is to close them up tightly, they need ventilation.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Big water droplets on ceilings: what is it?

Yep, fiberglas boats are terrible for condensation. The worst thing you can do is to close them up tightly, they need ventilation.

Only when the floatation foam, stringers, transom, and decking are saturated... or a combination there of.

Put a tarp or a cabin on on a boat with water intrusion problems and you've got yourself a dandy fine green house.