Advice on preventing mildew

[Lakesponge]

I’ve used MikeeH’s potion for years with these conditions. Boat is stored in upstate NY (COLD) in a large lean-two type building out of the elements but exposed to the local temps. Boat is stored with cockpit cover on, followed by a blue tarp to keep the bird crap off. I open all windows and hatches that are under the blue tarp.

Everything comes off the boat except inside cushions and mattress. They have a PFD between the cushion and what they rest to allow air to circulate. All doors are open.

I use several damp rid hanging things you can find anywhere, as well as seven small plastic cheap (Chinese lead filled) containers with kitty litter and damp rid or rock salt. I also use about a box of moth balls distributed throughout the boat in cups with holes in them and have them loose anywhere were I think a varmint may invade the boat – although unlikely. Every thing is cleaned prior to close up.

They key is to eliminate the chance of animals and place something in to soak up the moisture. Previous to MikeeH’s potion I also used charcoal to absorb moisture.

I know this is overkill and with the windows open almost defeats the purpose of the dam rid, but it works for me.

Jim

 

[lil red truck]

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Originally posted by Msibley

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Originally posted by lil red truck

I was also thinking of floating the mattress on milk crates to let air flow around it. Wondering if anyone else ever did that or something similar and what their results may have been.

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Lower back injury and a run of expletives when I forgot that I did it.

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Ow. At least you had a bit of a cushion.
It'd be difficult to do that if I floated the mattress in the berth. Condo space makes me miss having a garage.

 

[walterv]

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Originally posted by lil red truck

We'll be using MikeeH's method this year. I was also thinking of floating the mattress on milk crates to let air flow around it. Wondering if anyone else ever did that or something similar and what their results may have been.

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I float the matress, in the state room I use the legs from the table in the salon. In the second stateroom I am able to turn the matress on its side.

 

[mahootnj]

Mikes mixture works great. i have been using it for about 4 years. I made 2 modifications.
1) I line the cheap plastic containers with foil, so if they crack the mess stays inside.
2) I add a little rock salt to the mixture.

 

[ddurand]

I have a 24' cuddy cabin that basically drains the kitchen sink overboard. Not that I ever use the sink (or the boat). Could I line the sink with cat litter and pour Damp Rid on top? Or just pour Damp Rid into the sink. Either way I need some type of screen to keep the drain unclogged. I assume neither will etch the SS sink?

Of course I do not want to end up with some PIA drips down the side of my boat from the drain to
get off in the spring.

 

[capt2stu]

This sounds like a very good way, was all set to go buy my plastic containers and the rest until I talked with the person who does much of the maintenance on my boat. He said it did sound like it work as good or maybe even better then the bags you buy, but he doesn't think anything will get out all or even most of the moisture.

Since I will have my electric on, he recommends having a portable heater to keep the cabin warm (but set lower). He said this works better than anything and worht the cost of running the heater.

Any thoughts?

Stu

 

[albaris]

I have been using MikeeH's method for over 8 years in Upstate NY. It works great. The only modifications I make is not using DampRid, but calcium chloride pellets (small white pellets that is sold as sidewalk and driveway de-icer). Damp Rid is nothing more than calcium chloride in packets, and you can buy a 25 lb bag of calcium chloride in any hardware store for under 10 bucks. Twenty-five lbs should last you about 5 seasons....if you don't use any to de-ice your sidewalk.
Of course, where I live, I buy about 500 lbs every year, and use about 5lbs on boat and the remainder on sidewalks and driveway.
Second modification: I also bought a few dollar store collanders and I put the calcium chloride in the collinder and place collinder in the plastic bucket....it allows the moisture water to drip through to the bucket, and a few times during the winter I go to the boat and empty the buckets.
Works well for me.