Will carport help mold/mildew issues?

Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
2,598
I'm sick and tired of the mold and mildew on my boat and jet skis that shows up during the off season. They're stored outdoors but always covered.

Would it help the situation if I were to build a carport large enough to put everything under? I'd love to hear from anyone who keeps your toys under a carport and whether or not you have mold / mildew problems.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,621
No.

you basically need to put your toys in a garage. and if you live in an area of high humidity, have a fan at a minimum moving air.

mold and mildew are from moisture that is in the air that collects on your car/boat/etc in the cool hours. however where a car surface takes a lot longer to develop mildew and mold, the porous surfaces on a boat develop much faster.

since you are covered outside, put a box fan under every cover or build a garage.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,211
You probably need more ventilation under the covers and moisture absorbers
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,464
Stored under cover outdoors for years with few mold issues. Now stored in a pole barn with a loose fitting trap to keep dirt and dust down. Still get a bit on the white helm chairs. Nothing worth worrying about. Cleans right up with Clorox cleanup.

Found out long ago the trick to keeping mold at bay in storage is to wash the boat inside and out prior to putting the cover on. Makes a heck of a difference over slapping the cover on and hoping for the best
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,795
I think anything containing Chlorine is a must for initial prevention and subsequent clean up. I keep my boat in my shop but the buildings on my farm get an algae buildup on the North sides, regardless of material. I spray with soap and a good amount of bleach in water solution and by the 3rd day most of it has disappeared.....kind of funny, starts out green and then just disappears. A final pressure washing and the job is done for another couple of years.
 

nola mike

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
5,534
I store mine with a simple cover with the sides partially open. I can get some rain spray in there i guess if it's really blowing, but nothing significant. Never had an issue with mildew.
 
Top