"sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

1997 Flats n Bay-- Anything I store in the compartments gets wet (condensation), life vests, dock ropes, even my extra bait, ( kept in tupperware containers). It's kept in a wet slip, but every 2 weeks I pull it out to clean. I fish almost every day so trailering it everytime is out of question. Help !!! Thanks Ed

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

If you don't want to trailer, don't put stuff in your compartments!

I suspect waterlogged floatation foam due to exposure.

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

Where are you located and what kind of compartments?

Storage lockers on some boats have a little bit of weather stripping, and that should keep the condensation out. But if you live in a high humidity area, and don't have sealed compartments ... stuff will probably get a little wet in some areas.

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

big temperature swings? Big difference in water and air temps? compartments at the outer hull and under the water line against cold water? no insulation (flotation foam) around the compartments? Wet stuff in the compartments (statr with bone dry lines, PFD's, etc.)
Dried salt water on the stuff? Drain hole overboard (I use one fish locker for storage)?

And why do you pull it out every two weeks to clean it?

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

Home Cookin' said:

big temperature swings? Big difference in water and air temps? compartments at the outer hull and under the water line against cold water? no insulation (flotation foam) around the compartments? Wet stuff in the compartments (statr with bone dry lines, PFD's, etc.)
Dried salt water on the stuff? Drain hole overboard (I use one fish locker for storage)?

And why do you pull it out every two weeks to clean it?

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Nope, no salt water. It's condensation, I'm sure. The bilge area is dry, just the storage compartments that get wet. It's a "flats boat" which is mostly "deck" with hatched compartments. Yoy actually walk on the deck while fishing. There is only about 14- 18" of freeboard. The condensation is not a "big" problem, just an aggravation!! This is the ONLY complaint I have on this boat. I fish (mostly) shallow water (1 to 2') & can run 40MPH in a foot of water. I guess I need to stop "nitpicking" it & enjoy !! I pull it out every 2 weeks or so to clean it (I,m tooo *&^*^ particular I guess. Thanks guys for the comeback !!

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

Weather changes cause air movement, even in so called sealed chambers. I don't remember the term, but closed compartments suck in air when cold and the interior is headed in a vacuum direction, but as soon as the weather/they warm up they build up pressure from the heated air and it is expelled. Problem is, the surfaces of the chamber don't change temperature at the same rate as the atmosphere so they sweat; i.e. the moisture that came in with the air is now on the interior of your chamber and drier air is expelled.

What needs to happen is to open the hatches when you get home which will help. However, cold surfaces will collect moisture (condensation) as the temp rises and the water vapor that the fabrics absorb is partially retained. If it is not open to the atmosphere to allow this moisture to evaporate, you will get mildew.

Case in point, we just went from balmy days to a cold front for a couple of days and back to balmy. Everything in my shop had a coat of water film on it (anything that had any mass/weight to it forcing it to remain cooler than the environmental air), and my shop...although not sealed to the atmosphere, is a protected environment with concrete floor with vapor barrier and all and I live in an inland area. As soon as the surfaces warmed adequately, the water evaporated.

I know it's a pain, I had the same problem years ago, but your other option is to keep your boat in a humidity and temperature controlled environment and we both know that sucks!

Mark

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

MY boat stays on a wet slip 9 to 10 mouths out of the year. Leave the compartment lids propped open then put on your cover. That`s what I do on my pontoon.

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

MH Hawker said:

MY boat stays on a wet slip 9 to 10 mouths out of the year. Leave the compartment lids propped open then put on your cover. That`s what I do on my pontoon.

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Good point on covers. Look at covers and boat yards that professionally poly wrap boats. Notice that they put vents in them to allow the underside to breathe.

If you ever used canvas vs plastic tarps to cover things you can experience the same thing. The canvas tarp will breathe and unless water accumulates, you have no mildew and do not need deliberately placed venting. However, wrap it in a plastic tarp with no vents and you have a mess on your hands in one season.

HTH,
Mark

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

MH Hawker said:

MY boat stays on a wet slip 9 to 10 mouths out of the year. Leave the compartment lids propped open then put on your cover. That`s what I do on my pontoon.

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This is Florida, if I leave the lids open-- the next morning I would have NOTHING in the compartments !!! Things dissapear around here. I figured it was something I just have to live with. Thanks again guys !!

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

trout killer said:

This is Florida, if I leave the lids open-- the next morning I would have NOTHING in the compartments !!! Things dissapear around here. I figured it was something I just have to live with. Thanks again guys !!

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How about searching for some mold killing spray that doesn't bleach like Clorox. Maybe Clorox II which is used on colored fabrics will kill bacteria.

I just pulled out my old Westmarine (.com) catalog and in the Index under Mildew found: Cleaner-1 page, Control-3 pages, Prevention-3 pages, and stain remover-1 page.

Surely you will find a solution there.

Mark

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

How about some of those moisture absorbing packets that come in anything shipped that has to stay dry? Caution!! Do not consume.

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

foodfisher said:

How about some of those moisture absorbing packets that come in anything shipped that has to stay dry? Caution!! Do not consume.

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Silica Gell dessicant! Blue when dry and opaque-clear when saturated, slight pink tint. Putting in an oven and drying out till blue again allows for reuse. Microwave may work too although I never tried it. That'll work, if you get enough to handle the job and keep up with the condition.

Mark

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

what about this product? DampRid Refillable Moisture Absorber - Walmart.com

Re: "sweating compartments" in Flats n Bay

trout killer said:

This is Florida, if I leave the lids open-- the next morning I would have NOTHING in the compartments !!! Things dissapear around here. I figured it was something I just have to live with. Thanks again guys !!

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I start off with the lids open and nothing (at least nothing worth stealing) in the compartments, then cover the boat. I have small closet on the dock where I keep my gear, others have dock boxes that lock. Even they get a damp inside in some weather, but not as bad.