2002 with mildew

[GJpearce]

2 years ago I purchased a lightly used 2002 19.5 foot Ski Nautique. I am in Florida and have the boat covered on a lift on a lake. Late last year I became disgusted with the increasing mildew and turned it over to a local boat dealer who removed most of the problem by using elbow grease and every product he could find, including bilge cleaner and X-14 from the local supermarket. He told me I am ****ed to sun damage if i leav the cover off and ****ed to mildew if I leave the cover on. So I decided to leave a small dehumidifier running all winter under the cover draining into the the bilge hole in front of the rear seat. Now I have the boat out and the stains look bad on the cushions over the rear deck compartments. As I have read in previous posts, mildew is worst in areas where the cover contacts the cushions. What to do? These cushions are probably not a big deal to recover-I can unscrew them and send them to an upholstery shop- what is a reasonable price- the boat is 10 years old and I understand there are wear and tear issues- and the boat would look brand new if those cushions were replaced. Advice please..........starting with laundering the cover, etc.
Thank you

[jchamlin]

Try using some Totally Awesome from Dollar General - go 50/50 mix at first and go stronger if you have to. It will get rid of most dirt on the surface. Then, go to StarBrite mildew remover. If you can do it in direct sunlight, it will do a lot better. Don't leave the mildew remover on the seats too long. Wash it down really good or it will yellow the seats.

If you're already considering replacing the vinyl, go get some magic erasers first and see if that helps. Most people on here will tell you not too because it may remove some protective surface of the vinyl, but I think you're already compromised at this point anyway.

[Chexi]

Yes, magic erasers as a last resort if you are determined that you will otherwise be replacing the vinyl if they do not work.

But before that, try Totally Awesome and the Starbrite or 3M mildew removers (and yes, wash them off with water). Then try to take the boat out on really sunny days (several of them). The sun alone may take care of whatever remains.

[TxJole]

Bow to stern will keep it from growing on the seats.

[MichaelD]

Once you get it clean...
Take a 5gallon bucket, cut a very large hole in the top, and put a screen between the bucket & lid. Pour calcium chloride pellets on screen. I typically use a Res Solo cup/week. Same active ingredient as DampRid & NoDamp.i
In NC, I can get CaCl via driveway salt in the winter. You can also get it at a pool supply co.
ZCare & a scrub brush dipped in water is decent at getting mildew cleaned, and won't hurt the Vinyl. It is recommended by G&T which makes the vinyl for CC.
Also put 303 on the boat's vinyl, but don't cover it for at least 2 hours after applying.
Take the cover to a commercial laundromat & wash it to reduce contamination. If sunbrella, use Woolite or Dreft (there is a 3rd approved detergent for sunbrella, but can't recall it off the top of my head). You can also add 1/2 cup of bleach. Treat with 303 HTFG once air-dried.
You can also use a towel between cover & vinyl.