Fan under cover

[flybuddy]

I know it's cold where most of you but here is SW FL it's pushing 80. I've got a new boat with a black cover. Will be deadly in the summer. Has anyone ever used a fan under the cover to help cool it down, keep it dry and reduce mold??

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fan under cover

if your'e taliking about while stored, sure. a small squirrel cage fan will work great. it will have to have a vent to the outside to be effective. years ago i had an 1950's mobile home 33 ft, all aluminum. camp site. it had one of those fans over the range. i put a timer on it so it would run a couple of hours a day, the keep the musky smell down. worked very well.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Fan under cover

I also use a small window fan.It sits on the back of the boat just above the transom.The boatcover is over it but i have screen i made into a vent for fresh air.Keeps critters out also.No rain can get in but the fan can breath.
I got a timer on it to run a couple hours a day..No mildew or mildew smell,everything is dry.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Fan under cover

A fan is a must.I use one in the cabin and one in the cockpit.Mostly to keep the air moving and dry.You need to get some type of ventilation.Screen or vents.The hot air needs somewhere to escape.You can have clamshell vents sewn into the canvas.

 

[flybuddy]

Re: Fan under cover

Thanks, there are 4 clamshell vents on the stock cover, it's a deck boat and uses 4 poles. I'll go with the fan and a timer.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Fan under cover

The fan won't do much of anything unless it can cause an air exchange. Is that how you plan to use it?

I'd think the black cover would work to your advanatage with the clam shell vents. The sun is going to heat it up more than a light colored top and that will make the air inside hotter which will make it escape faster which will draw in outside air... The end result is more air exchanges over a given period of time. You might already have a great setup. Why not wait and see if there's a problem first before doing anything?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Fan under cover

I used a bathroom exhaust fan at the dock I put it in a protected spot on the dock and ran a hose under the cover to the lower part of the inside of the boat as far as possible from the out vent.I ran it on a timer it seemed to work well.