Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

[smartwork]

To date, my boat has been garage kept, but we're going to build a new home during which time we'll be relocated into a condo (sold current home). Result = boat will have to go to an outside storage facility. I've never used a cover with it being garage-kept, so I'm leary about what "could" be the result. The storage is not close by so I cannot dart back and forth to air out the boat all the time, but I'm wondering if putting the cover on after a day at the lake is going to cause havok on my interior with the moisture being trapped in there. We usually don't get the interior very wet and try to dry off from skiing before re-entering the boat.

Suggestions or stories of experience? Suggestions on best cover?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

I use 2 of the blue or silver/gray outdoor poly tarps like they sell at Home Depot and WalMart. I use the 12x24s on my 17' deep V. Buy a bunch of bungee cords and bungee at every grommit, I can catch 2 grommits with 1 bungee cord (one grommit on each end of the bungee). This will keep you cover tight to shed storm water.

I did have some midew growth in my boat when the deck was carpeted, but since I've replaced the carpet with vinyl mildew growth doesn't exist in my boat anymore.

It will be difficult to prevent mildew/mold growth in an outside kept and covered boat. You may want to put some containers of calcium chloride in your boat while it's covered to help absorb some of the moisture, you can buy it as a product called Damp-Rid.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

I am curious about this as well. I am looking at getting a cover that only covers the front window and cockpit (cuddy) for the days when the boat is docked, and a complete cover when it's on it's trailer. The cockpit cover color I would like to get is black (to match everything else). Would one put vents on the cockpit cover?

 

[R Socey]

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

If you use something like spray nine on your upholstery it may prevent mold. In any event you can clean it off without too much dif-
ficulty. I keep my 25' wrapped in a silver eposed side/ black underside tarp I purchased on ebay. I got a little growth on bare sanded
fiberglass, but I don't think I will with fresh paint - I don't have any upholstery! It seems like a cheap temp. fix for you.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

two things we don't know to be able to help: what boat, and where?

Also when: your question concerns covering during periods of regular use, rather than long-term storage--different strategies.

In some, but not all, cases it can be better to leave them open to air and to dry out. A shed roof can be perfect, even better than a closed garage.

to really decide, you have to list what you are protecting from, and decide which items are or aren't a factor for your boat:

sun
rain
snow
freezing
heat
birds
leaves
coal dust
pollen
salt air
low-level thieves
tumbleweeds
kudzu
hail

This list varies based on where you are, but also can vary for how it's stored. For example, I don't cover mine on the water but do on land, due primarily to tree dirt.

Note: covers don't protect a boat from mold/mildew--they cause it! For that reason, covering a boat in a garage can be working against you. You have to compare the outside enemies (see list) to the inside enemy (mold) and strike the balance.

then look at "what boat." I hear they make boats that shouldn't be left in the rain! Mine love it. But a sub-question is whether the boat is to be retained in show-room condition, or to age gracefully. Same issue with a car: garage or driveway?

please consider the neighbors, too. flapping blue tarps are fine on the farm or parking lot but not in some neighborhoods.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

Mine would be two fold.

The cockpit cover would be used in a marina where my family cabin is on Lake Superior. When I fished with the day, I'll put it in it's rented dock space. I want to cover the cockpit because of foul weather that can turn on a dime, and Gulls that spend time at the fishery building up stores of "PooP". So it would primarily be used on weekends.
Back at home in storage, I have a full boat cover and would not have the cockpit cover on.

I guess we'll see....

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

If it is going to sit outside like you say, buy a good quality cover, Sunbrella or Sharkskin+, and install vented caps on the top of the support poles. Thats about the best you can do without some form of hard cover. Open all compartments and place Damp rid buckets in a couple places.

 

[dursetto]

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

I have a 2007 Tahoe Q6 SF that I have kept in an outdoor storage lot for 5 years. The boat has a factory cover to which I added vents to the 2 support poles. I started out using DampRid, but don't get to the boat often enough to empty the containers. In 2008, I bought a solar powered fan (http://www.bilgewizard.com/product.php) that screws in where the drain plug goes. I strap the solar panel to the top of the cover. This provides enough air movement through the boat (on sunny days, all day) to keep condensation from building up and even dries out the small leakage that somehow manages to get through the cover from wind.

After the first 2 years, I had to replace the BilgeWizard solar panel. It just didn't survive the Carolina sun. Instead of buying a direct replacement, I found a very good solar panel (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...1&storeId=11151&partNumber=10933653&langId=-1) that is still like new after 2 years. I mounted the new panel between 2 sheet of plexiglas and bungeed the assembly to the trailer from 4 corners.

Total cost is a little high ($45 = $160), but I am very happy with this solution. The important thing is I don't have to worry about mold anymore (5 years and counting).

I'll add pictures next time I get to the boat.

 

[dursetto]

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

Here are the solar panel and drain plug fan pics as promised in the previous thread:

 

[Ernest T]

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

Here are the solar panel and drain plug fan pics as promised in the previous thread:

dursetto, what is the verdict on the Bilge Wizard? How much light is needed to power the fan? My boat is in the top rack in a storage building with an open roof (roof is open in the center but not over the boats). I could locate the solar panel so it would get 6 hours of indirect light, but only a couple hours of direct light. Thanks!

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

O P left.

But we can probably agree that most mold comes from water inside the boat that evaporates during the day and recollects evenings on surfaces that have had hands, legs, food, drinks or animals touch them. Works for me.
Periods of average heat & humidity do the rest.

Too much or too little heat or humidity stop molds.

 

[dursetto]

Re: Boat covers, ventilation, mold question

Ernest...I can only guess how this would work indoors (indirect sun as you described). I know on cloudy days, the fan runs slower but it does run. If you get a couple of hours of direct sun this should be enough if the boat is covered. If the boat is in storage and not getting rain inside, it should not take a lot of run time to keep it dry inside.

By the way, Bilge Wizard does have a 110 volt adapter that can power the fan directly without the solar panel. That would work if you can get access to an ac outlet. Total power is only 5 watts, so the storage company probably wouldn't mind.