Pontoon Ventilation

[pugbro]

I have read in other post about folks having trouble with mildew and rodents when their boats are in storage and/or covered for a good length of time. I am sure most of these a runabouts etc. Is ventilation a problem with toons while covered? i have a 22footer with a comercial cover and i am concerned if I need to provide some sort of ventilation...I have just installed everything new from the toons up and would sure hate to ruin it all by not storing it properly. Do mothballs and dryer sheets really keep out the rodents??...Any suggestions??


KEEP IT FUN, KEEP IT SAFE!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pontoon Ventilation

you know i'm 60 y/o, never had the problem with either. i never cover my boats with a tight cover, air has to circulate. never had a rodent problem. my property backs up to a heavily wooded area, and i keep the boats along that property line. i do have Tasha, siberian husky, and Poh, the cat. they love to kill mice and rats. Poh also likes to get under the covers of the boats and sleep.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Pontoon Ventilation

My boat stays covered and mildew is a problem. Twice a year we clean it and apply the anti mildew stuff they recomend over on pontoonstuff.com. I really wish there was a permanent solution to the mildew problem.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Pontoon Ventilation

If you have access to electric when in storage, a small box fan left running on low works wonders...

 

[BillP]

Re: Pontoon Ventilation

I have 7 boats that sit uncovered outside in Florida and they all mildew to one extent or the other. My pontoon boat interior is the worst and I use armor all on the seats. The best product I've found to keep mildew away is the 3M mildew spray...and armorall spray. Armorall is used on the exteriors (mostly seating) and the 3M on the interiors of lockers and cabins. Under covers I'd use the 3M stuff...it's the best passive mildew preventer anywhere and non toxic. It's better than straight venting because "dead air spaces" don't matter. It isn't cheap but it works. There are too many cats around my neighborhood to have rodents but in yrs gone by I know they will eat through wood locker doors and fabric on boats to find food.

bp