humidity control

DuckHunterJon

DuckHunterJon

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 19, 2010
Messages
1,082
Re: humidity control

Couple of more thoughts. On the insulation, you are looking for raidiant floor bubble layer insulation. HD, Lowes, or any heating supply shop should have it. If you have time, mail order is cheaper and you can get it in larger rolls. Personally, I'd line everything I could with it. You can also use etruded polyurethane (blue or pink board). Custom cut pieces for different areas, and use a sharpie marker to mark each piece. In the spring, store it away somewhere and it will be ready to go right back up next fall.

One thought on the bubblers, plan for a back up power source. Power isn't a guaranteed (I'm not that far from you) and a few hours with out it will be enough to form a layer of ice. The bubblers will prevent ice from building up, but they won't do anything for it once it's formed. We placed a bubbler around a houseboat quite a few years ago. Power went out for 6 hours, we were out there with axes breaking the ice the next day.

Good luck, and check in often to let us know what is working and what isn't. I've tent camped in Vermont in February, it's all about attitude and preparation.
 
C

cfiegehen

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
30
Re: humidity control

Hi, Thanks for that advice, sorry if this is a silly question but i guess i take the canvas covers off the outside of the front window....
 
C

cfiegehen

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
30
C

cfiegehen

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
30
Re: humidity control

DuckHunterJon said:
Couple of more thoughts. On the insulation, you are looking for raidiant floor bubble layer insulation. HD, Lowes, or any heating supply shop should have it. If you have time, mail order is cheaper and you can get it in larger rolls. Personally, I'd line everything I could with it. You can also use etruded polyurethane (blue or pink board). Custom cut pieces for different areas, and use a sharpie marker to mark each piece. In the spring, store it away somewhere and it will be ready to go right back up next fall.

One thought on the bubblers, plan for a back up power source. Power isn't a guaranteed (I'm not that far from you) and a few hours with out it will be enough to form a layer of ice. The bubblers will prevent ice from building up, but they won't do anything for it once it's formed. We placed a bubbler around a houseboat quite a few years ago. Power went out for 6 hours, we were out there with axes breaking the ice the next day.

Good luck, and check in often to let us know what is working and what isn't. I've tent camped in Vermont in February, it's all about attitude and preparation.
Click to expand...
Thank you John, i have a generator on the boat that i use at anchor....would that work for a back up power source? or would it be a good idea to pick up a honda genny or something?
 
C

cfiegehen

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
30
Re: humidity control

Greg Mrozinski said:
CF,

Here is the insulation material I talked about. I would put it on the outside as tight against the window pane as possible. Stores should have 4' wide rolls or something equivilent.

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Insulation-Radiant-Barrier/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbedf/R-100012574/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Click to expand...

Sorry Greg, another question...do you do all the windows? and am i right understanding you put it on the "outside "of the boat? and i imagine just duct tape it or something?
Thanks again
 
Greg Mrozinski

Greg Mrozinski

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Aug 17, 2009
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941
Re: humidity control

If you have a canvas covering on the wind shield then you can put this material between the windshield pane and the canvas. I had a friend do that and it worked fine. If you have to use a tape on the exterior of your boat use "prevention tape". It is the white tape used to seal shrink wrapping to your hull sides. Sticks like crazy but will come off cleanly in the spring. This is not the same white tape they use to repair rips/tares in the shrink wrap so be careful. Side windows and hatches you can use this barrier material as well but I prefer to use the clear plastic film window kits. You put it on the inside and hit it with a dryer and it shrinks up tight. That way you have some natural light inside the boat.
 
H

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: humidity control

some uninformed suggestions from the South:

The major concern expressed here is that shrink wrap traps both moisture and dangerous fumes. Shrink wrap is a good process for an unoccupied/inaccessible boat. But since you are there all the time, perhaps you'd be better off not to shrink wrap, but if you think you have to cover it, use a ridge pole/tarp tent so snow slides off, but leave ventilation open along the bottom? Maybe just block the side on the prevailing wind? After all, we don't shrink wrap our houses and RV's.
Is it that bad to let snow pile up? what did they do 20 years ago, before shrink wrap?
With shrink wrap you are setting two moisture traps: inside the cabin and inside the shrink wrap. You need to deal with both, independently, even if you leave your boat cabin doors/hatches/portholes open (at the expense of your heat).

Alternatively, since you will be cutting holes in the shrink wrap anyway, can you install gravity vents along the top? How about the solar powered vents they make for parked cars?
For cooking (even water) and any other combustion, you have to have a powered exhaust fan. An oil burner scares me to death. Consider, also, an electric burner and microwave for cooking instead of gas/fuel.

The insulation is a whole 'nother issue. The cold water will suck the heat away, and few boats are well insulated. I 'spect you will understand the phrase "Three dog night" soon.
 
DuckHunterJon

DuckHunterJon

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Messages
1,082
Re: humidity control

cfiegehen said:
Thank you John, i have a generator on the boat that i use at anchor....would that work for a back up power source? or would it be a good idea to pick up a honda genny or something?
Click to expand...

As long as your generator will run the bubbler, along with anything else you need to run (heaters, etc) you should be fine. Make sure the exhaust from the generator is somewhere outside the shrink wrap. Be safe and stay warm. Around here, they are forcasting a long snowy winter.
 
T

Tarius123

Recruit
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
1
Re: humidity control

Wow, what an interesting thread. I was looking for chemical humidity control and came across this. I'm not far from Toronto so if I get an invite for a visit I'll bring a six pack! This looks like an adventure.

My boat is tucked away in storage until spring and I'm living in the house. Maybe with something bigger I may want to try this.
 
L

lakegeorge

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Messages
660
Re: humidity control

Cfiegehen, Well you have a nice liveabord boat, we owned two 32 aftcabin Carvers at different times and loved them. I'm surprised that you have a Genny and no reverse heat/air? We never had a Genny but installed rev heat/air in one of them and loved it.

I would make sure that you have a fan running at all times, the air circulation will help immensely with condensation. I would also keep a heater running in the bilge, it will keep your water tank from freezing and make your floors warmer.
I'm sure a lot of people on here don't know the layout of the Carver if they did they would say go for it. There are a lot of people in Michigan who live abord and do just fine.
We now live in Georgia so we don't have to deal with the cold very much. Good luck with your endeavor and keep us posted.
 
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