Needed small boat dehumifider - what brand ?

alan ber

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
143
What brand dehumidifier would you recommend for my needs ?

Owing boat 3 years, never had moisture or mildew growing
Boat is 31 ft cruiser has main cabin, walk in head, aft cabin
. .
I am retired and spend a lot of time aboard, windows open , using A/C
My marina offers what others don't ability too leave my boat in water using dockside electricity & water 10 days a month when I wish too sleep aboard .or hang out at transient or courtesy slips
I use boat often I would like too leave in a wet slip but twin IO no good long term NEXT BOAT set up more for my needs

When I go home, , they haul boat , put into a cradle in outdoor yard , I flush engines, clean ,cover

Marina offers water & electric in yard

Boat was laid up months for engine rebuilds . 140 miles away . Prior too leaving boat , installed a number of damp rid canisters , closed all hatches .
Boat weathered Irma , daily Fla summer afternoon monsoons
.
Get boat back , Opened cabin , that smell hit me . Moisture . Then found mold growing
Found culprit , Water intrusion from a hair line crack in a port whole window gasket.
Afternoon rains & pounding Irma rains a bead of water entered and flowed into a clothes closet.
Closet had shirts & ex- large beach towels. Beach towels sat on bottom of closet.
Blue towels were Black with mold .Towels were touching closet walls and mold started too grow on inside wood
100 degree Fla days, rain water that entered , wet towels , Moisture, mildew , Perfect Breeding grounds

ON this forum got good advice from fellow boaters .
Stripped all cushions, bedding, found water /bleach in a spray bottle worked best . Wiped ceilings, deep cleaning
carpet in aft cabin ceilings, walls , , curtains, multiple closet bleaching inside walls .

Marina is 75 miles from home, Slow process ..There is so much moisture in cabin that the 4 damp rid canisters did nothing. Within a few days crystals became a hard ball not allowing water too drop too bottom of container

Few weeks ago while at boat decided too purchase a dehumidifier . Hit West , nothing at store Only on line
Was on a mission too purchase one that afternoon since I am 75 miles and not wanting too return following day
Home Depot had a number and purchased a 30 pint GE for home use
Quite large and no way would be able too leave on boat while were aboard .
Ran hose into sink that runs overboard .

After a weeks absence opened cabin NO SMELL , BEAUTIFUL

SO MY QUESTION

Odor gone , should I just operate boat like I did prior, opening windows, using a/c , ?
. How long does it take for mildew come back on its own since moisture is all around at ocean

Keep the home depot unit plugging in when I leave boat when I get too boat put into car ?

Or a small wall mounted or small unit that can sit on a shelf ( not the best reviews and might need 2 ) .. .

. Home Depot unit sits on galley counter taking up entire counter

After posting will hit IBOATS and see what they offer , My situation is not unique but unique too me since never having
it prior too boats layup

thanks as usual
 

Grub54891

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
5,908
How about a solar hatch vent?

Image result for Boat hatch vent

They come in a few types, to either blow in or out as desired. Weather don't get in, air gets out!
 

Toyelectroman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Messages
188
I use one of the small electric shelf dehumidifiers, it is cheap and i like it. I placed it in the cabin and sometimes i place it in the bilge. Only issue i see for you is if it really humid it will fill up in two days
 
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