Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Keeping a Boat Dry in Winter

I just love the movie Captain Ron. If you love boats and haven't seen it, you're missing a classic. There's a line from the shower scene that reminds me how wet a boat can get. Captain Ron: "It's a lot of water... Well, it's a boat."

Winter up the lake can be moist.  Our Bayliner 2350 with an enclosed cabin needs help to stay dry inside.  We use a variety of strategies to keep it dry and reduce the proliferation of mildew.  Before heavy rains begin, we remove the cushions from the V-berth.

We install Dri-Z-Air dehumidifiers in the empty berth to help absorb moisture. We also place others in other strategic locations. After the pellets dissolve, the liquid is emptied and the units refreshed to continue drawing moisture out of the air.

We also use our solar power to run a Davis Instruments Air-Dryr 500 on a timer. When in operation, it sits safely in the middle of the boat's floor.  This dehumidifier is good for off-the-grid since it only draws 0.6 amps while handling 500 square feet.

And when we're using the boat, or running the engine at the dock, we use the built-in diesel heater to warm the cabin. To help distribute the warmth throughout the boat's cabin, we have attached a flexible duct hose. As we cruise on the lake, we move the warm air around the boat.

With just a little bit of effort, we keep our boat dry and relatively mildew free.  What are some of the solutions you use? -- Margy

5 comments:

  1. I wish I had a boat! But yes, Captain Ron was a great movie. Cheers!

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  2. I too love Captain Ron and the way he 'parks' the boat!!!
    Luckily we don't have too much of a problem with damp and hope not to have any at all on the barge xxx

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  3. I loved that movie.

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  4. When Mom and Dad were wintering in Mexico, that left their little summer cabin getting wet in White Rock, so I know all about the tricks of the Keep Dry trade. Dri-Z-Air being Dad's favorite, and anything anyone else suggested, just in case.
    Glad you're so successful keeping your boat dry.
    K

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  5. Anonymous7:05 AM

    I didn't know you had to do so much to keep the boat dry in winter. I guess never having a boat would account for that.

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We welcome your comments and questions. - Wayne and Margy