do I cover my wet boat after use??

[cruisetricia]

We just bought our first boat (a 1999 20ft bayliner capri). We are storing it on the lake in a slip without a lift. We used it this weekend - it is still wet inside. We worry about mold! Do we cover it or leave the cover off? It doesn't get any sun because the slip is covered. What do the rest of you do during the summer months when you use it often and it doesn't really dry out?

thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[Marcq]

Re: do I cover my wet boat after use??

Why would you put the cover on if the slip is covered ? Leave it uncovered

Marc..

 

[cruisetricia]

Re: do I cover my wet boat after use??

Even though the slip is covered the boat is still a little exposed on the back and if it rains or storms would probably get water. It seems like everyone else has their boats covered, and it seems weird to leave the boat out there uncovered (can you tell this is our first boat and we know nothing!!), but you are probably right, I don't want mold!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: do I cover my wet boat after use??

cover it. will keep it clean. if not every bird in the state will poop on it.

 

[ArkBoater]

Re: do I cover my wet boat after use??

What I do with my boat before storage (after each use) is take a can of Lysol, spray a light mist over all the seats and open any compartments or covered areas to let air dry. I don't cover my boat, but it is parked in a stuffy garage when not in use and the inside is still damp most of the time when I get home from the lake. The Lysol keep mold and mildew from forming and doesn't hurt the seats. (My boat is an '88 with original seats and every time out of the water, boat hull is wiped dry and Lysol sprayed on interior and seats still look like new) You can see in the 2nd picture how I prop open the seats to let air move through them. You can also see the Lysol (off brand) on the passenger dash.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: do I cover my wet boat after use??

Cover it. Quick wipe the seats down to get any water off them, spray lysol or febreeze on the carpet and open one of those moisture absorbants canisters on the center of the floor. Star Brite makes some, Fleet Farm, Walmart sell them and they work good.

 

[sandiegosteve]

Re: do I cover my wet boat after use??

Even covered, you want good ventalation. Otherwise, you will be looking at mold.

So yes, cover, but make sure it is ventalated. You will see cover vents for sale on various sites.

 

[Chip73]

Re: do I cover my wet boat after use??

I use a 5HP/4GAL shop vac to get as much water out of the carpets as possible, wipe down everything else and put my cover on. So far has worked out well with zero smell.

 

[cruisetricia]

Re: do I cover my wet boat after use??

Thanks everyone for the advice! We are so excited to be boaters now, but as I said we know nothing, and i mean NOTHING!!! You should have seen us the first time we were trying to drive it back into the slip! Yikes - not quite like driving a car...