Mold / Mildew Prevention

[esse77]

Every year when the end of the season comes around I always try my best to let the boat dry out as much and possible before throwing the cover on it for storage but every year spring when I pull the boat out to get it ready for the season I find mold / mildew scattered in various places under the seats and on them. The boat is stored in a heated and sealed barn all winter but the cover is thrown on to prevent it from becoming dirty as I use the barn as my shop. I was thinking of potentially buying a dehumidifier and setting it under the cover and running the drain hose out of the drain plug so I would never have to empty the bucket and it could just run all winter. Has anyone ever tried this to prevent mold and mildew? And how do you guys think it would work?

[McCannLand]

Sounds like a Stor-dry type air dryer is what you want. https://www.caframolifestylesolution...rine/stor-dry/

It’s what I use and feel they are very practical.


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[DVskier]

I use Damp Rid,navailable at WalMart. One pail in front and one aft. Takes the moisture out of the air, hence no mildew. Inexpensive too and no power required.

[charlesml3]

Yea. Get the BIG buckets of Damp-Rid. Seems like they're like $11 each at Lowes.

-Charles

[GMLIII]

Yep Big buckets of Damp-Rid are the ticket. I have 2 buckets in the stern lockers at all times then at the end of the season I will place one in bow and 2 new ones in the stern lockers

[Evening Shade]

You may also want to put an inexpensive box fan in the boat to keep the air circulating under the cover.

[Infinity]

Yep, 2 main things to not having mildew are preventing moisture (damp rid or dehu) and air movement.

[Conwayfl]

Sounds like a Stor-dry type air dryer is what you want. https://www.caframolifestylesolution...rine/stor-dry/

It’s what I use and feel they are very practical.


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Do do you put anything underneath this in your boat ? I ordered one seems like this will work great after I use my boat and cover it to dry it out

[McCannLand]

Do do you put anything underneath this in your boat ? I ordered one seems like this will work great after I use my boat and cover it to dry it out

No, you just want to place it so air can circulate underneath it.


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[Conwayfl]

Got it thanks

[GMLIII]

Yep Big buckets of Damp-Rid are the ticket. I have 2 buckets in the stern lockers at all times then at the end of the season I will place one in bow and 2 new ones in the stern lockers

I also use OBEX product as well before I lay the boat up for the season . Link below

https://thinkobex.com/

[Tom_H]

I suppose no mold/mildew growth is one of the benefits of doing cold versus heated storage up here. I've never had a single bit of mold/mildew in my boat come spring, and all I put in are a bunch of dryer sheets to deter critters - stored in a non-heated barn. That being said, a contractor left two drums of desiccant at a job-site of mine, so I might recycle a couple buckets and toss it under the cover this year.