getting rid of mold

[mountaindew]

I live in SW florida and my boat is stored outside year round.I have a cover on it but it still seams to get mold on the seats ,cover and on the boat itself.Its a 2006 tahoe Q4.It is fiberglass.What is the best thing to use or do to keep the mold from coming back

 

[captmello]

Re: getting rid of mold

Sounds like you need to vent the boat better when its covered. That will allow it to dry out better. You beeter be carefull cleaning as mold killers my have bleach and discolor certain materials. I think I'd clean up the mold with soap and water and then work on venting the top better, see if mold goes away that way.

 

[salty87]

Re: getting rid of mold

moisture under your cover. add a vent or some of those damp-rid buckets at least. pull the cover back as often as you can to air it out. will help fade whatever doesn't clean up too.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: getting rid of mold

cover loosely, so the air can circulate. also if it is in a shady place, move it to a more sunny spot. i have found in Florida, that the blue tarps with a frame under it, tied just tight enough to keep it on, and not puddle water works great. it may flap in the wind, but that is what you want in this high humidity climate.

 

[mountaindew]

Re: getting rid of mold

Thank you for the suggestions.I will try those.So it sounds like I need more ventalation .The only thing I worry about is all the rain we get.The cover I have on the boat now is a custom snap cover with the two vent holes one in front and one in the back where the poles go

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: getting rid of mold

this is what i do, never had a problem. the tarp, catches some wind, and forces it under the tarp, ventilating.

 

[salty87]

Re: getting rid of mold

there are vents made that you can add to your cover, on top of the poles:
http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Vent_II_...9033432--**********.701230615--view_id.208961

 

[mountaindew]

Re: getting rid of mold

Thats the kind of vents I have on there now.Doesnt seem to get enough air through them

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: getting rid of mold

The couple of buckets of Damp-Rid may really help....worth a try.
Walmart sells them and i think its in the camping section...

 

[mountaindew]

Re: getting rid of mold

I will try that.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: getting rid of mold

the #1 problem in Florida, is condensation. do to the fact that the dew point at night, creates moisture, which forms under the cover, the sooner this evaporates in the morning, the better. that is why i keep my boat in the sun.

 

[Bruser]

Re: getting rid of mold

Clean the vinyl with mild soap and water. Keep the boat interior dry is the only way. While having the vents in the top are good, there needs to be some vent at the bottom also. Along the snaps you might want to unsnap one or two and put a foam block or piece of flexible hose to hold the cover away from the side of the boat.
The sun and humidity will make the inside of the cover into a greenhouse. If you have mold / mildew now, you will have pink stain in the future.

 

[oops!]

Re: getting rid of mold

we dont have the humididity here that you guys do.....but if you cant keep it in the sun......what a bout a light bulb on a timer?.......turn on for 2 hours or so in the early morning before the sun comes up....?

 

[erikgreen]

Re: getting rid of mold

Here in MN I took TD's suggestion, and I made a frame from 1 1/2 inch PVC that arches from my bow to stern platform, 21 feet. A big tarp over the whole thing keeps the rain and snow out. No problems with anything like mold, my biggest worry is collecting another half ton of ice when the melt/refreeze season comes.

Erik

 

[pine island fred]

Re: getting rid of mold

Is not to much you can do. With the heat and humidity you are going to get mold. Last 2 mornings it was 70 deg. at 6 in the morning, everything covered with dew, dripping off the house and running down the screens. Before the latest winds started, it was 86 out here 2 days ago. A regular washing with bleach seems to work for awhile as well as muratic acid, I have not had any damage problems using either product. Boat sits uncovered on the davits and suddenly blossems with mold on the inside. Other boat is on a covered lift and does not get mold as rapidly, maby because it is mostly shaded.
Try leaving the cover off. Now thinking about it, I dont see to many boats covered anyway. If you have a nice shiny cowling on the motor, cover that. This sun can make the cowl look grubby in a hurry. regards FRED

 

[204 Escape]

Re: getting rid of mold

In our owners manuel, it says to put something, (we use the dock bumpers), in any doors/storage compartments, to hold them open, for ventilation. AND, to take the cusions out of the boat, and if there is a zipper in them, to open up the zippered area, and put a pie tin, or something like that, in between the vinyl, and the cushion foam, for ventiliation as well. (Am hoping to have a garage for the boat next year, $$ permitting).

+1 We also use the Damp rid. BUT, you should check it once in a while, because it will hold the moisture that it collects, and that needs to be gotten rid of. I believe that it can be dried out on it's own, or in a microwave. (I'd have to re-read the paperwork on it).

I have also wondered about the air mover things that I have seen, that eliminate humidity, etc. BUT, they are kinda pricy, and I haven't heard anyone that has used them, or brags about them. (I think, that they were on sale a while back somewhere for $60.00[/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B][/FONT]