Condensation inside boat

[nearpar]

I have a 22 ft Starcraft Islander everyday there is condensation all over the INSIDE of the boat. The carpet is wet, the windows all of the aluminium etc.. there is even some mold starting in some places.
The boat has a custom vinyl cover for the open area that I have on all the time to keep the rain out etc... Any suggestions as to keeping it dry during non use ?

Is this a common problem among boaters ?


THank you

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Condensation inside boat

The problem is the type of cover. Vinyl isn't breathable. There needs to be adequate air flow to keep the condensation down. You can take it to an upholstery shop and have them stitch in clamshell vents in the back. That should help, depending on how much temperature change there is in the air.

At a bare minimum, I would look into some way to force air thru there when covered up. Or try opening a small area in the front and in the back by leaving some snaps undone and the cover pulled back a foot or two in each location.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Condensation inside boat

I'd be worried about how much water you're unknowingly holding inside the interior and in the foam under the deck. Maybe it's just a little condensation and it's not a big deal, but if there's mold I'd be worried it's much worse than that. What year Islander is this? Is your interior all original? Is the floor soft? Have you really looked?

If this is an older Islander like mine, your floatation foam under the deck is most likely the old white popcorn-style styrofoam that is great at holding water for many many years. You could be holding as much as hundreds of pounds of water. If you have the styrofoam I described, your not gonna just air it out. It needs to be removed. It's big project and it also means putting in a new deck and at least consider the transom wood too. The good news is you can do it yourself and the cost doesn't have to break you.

See the thread in my signature - I'll take you all the way through the adventure!

Then come on down to the Starcraft forum (LINK) and start a thread about yer boat and put up lots of pictures and you'll get awesome advice from a great group of folks.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Condensation inside boat

Agree on the vinyl being the problem. Breathable "canvas" tarps are what's required. Putting vents in your vinyl might work, but how many, where, how large, what about incoming rain...

The boat changes temp slower than the surrounding air. So, when the air warms up, like during the day, the air that it sucked in the cool prior evening is still in there and cold boat, hot air = condensation......glass of iced tea sitting on a table on a warm humid day type thing. Gotta let the moisture evaporate with the increasing temp which canvas allows to happen.

Mark

 

[nearpar]

Re: Condensation inside boat

Thank you all It looks like I may get a new cover.... as the interior was just completely resotred, new floors etc...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Condensation inside boat

Have it made out of a polyester fabric (Sunbrella/Dickson/Top Gear) or a Denier fabric. If it's custom made, have them sew in 3-4 12" clamshell netted vents. This will let air flow thru and keep critters out.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Condensation inside boat

check out one of these........

http://www.bilgewizard.com/bilge.php

a fellow at the storage yard by me ,put a piece of dryer vent pipe (the plastic flexable type) under the front corner and one at the back , bent them down so water would not get in (duct tape them down to stay in place) and fasten the cover down around them . it lets air flow.

woosterken

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Condensation inside boat

Probably not a lot you can do. You and I are in similar weather patterns. I went to the boat this weekend. When I took the cover off, the first thing to do was wipe down the upholstery due to mild buildup of mold. The weather was good so I left the cover off for Sat. and Sun. night. Both following mornings, there was very heavy condensation buildup everywhere, enough to saturate a beach towel. Good airflow under the cover is all you can do, IMHO.

 

[Lakes84]

Re: Condensation inside boat

Damp Rid is another good product. I use three on my boat while in storage. Two in the bilge and one in the cuddy. They do what they were designed to do.
My boat came from Florida and the previous owner used this product as well. As a result my boat was SUPER clean with no mold or mildew present at all, with the exception of the convertible top which stayed on. I do like the looks of that bilge wizard though.

Joe

 

[hostage]

Re: Condensation inside boat

My mechanic puts charcoal inside boats to absorb the excess moister and odors. Though getting a breathable top might help you out.