I wrapped up the Ty with her great big tarp a couple of weeks ago. I have a big mildew problem in the cabin and plan on doing a major cleaning in the spring. In the mean time, I replaced the mushroom vent on the foredeck with an old cowl, removed the inspection port in the cockpit stern and left the top hatchboard out. I'm wondering if the hatchboard was overkill. The boat is completely empty and in a secure marina.
Any thoughts?
Marino Curati
Ty #74 Snug
Cleveland Covered in Snow!
Winter boat ventilation
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Neil Gordon
Re: Winter boat ventilation
>>I'm wondering if the hatchboard was overkill. The boat is completely empty and in a secure marina.<<
I don't lock the boat over the winter. It's closed and covered and there's not much of value on board. I figure if someone wants in, they'll break through the boards, so I'm better off if the lock is off. I've not had a problem in 4 years, though. Lots of boats have fenders, anchors and assorted other stuff that survives the winter just fine even though it's more or less in plain sight.
Just think of spring and don't worry about it.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
I don't lock the boat over the winter. It's closed and covered and there's not much of value on board. I figure if someone wants in, they'll break through the boards, so I'm better off if the lock is off. I've not had a problem in 4 years, though. Lots of boats have fenders, anchors and assorted other stuff that survives the winter just fine even though it's more or less in plain sight.
Just think of spring and don't worry about it.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
-
sloopjohnl
Re: Winter boat ventilation
i use a heavy treated-canvas cover that keeps the rain and snow out. for that reason i leave all the hatch boards off (in the basement for varnishing), substitute a cowl for the solar-powered mushroom on the foredeck, put the cockpit seat lids inside and open the round porthole in the cockpit stern. since mine is in the backyard i leave a lot onboard and never have a moisture problem. i loosely tie the front of the cover so that plenty of air can enter and exit through the stern end of the cover.
i had a moisture problem during the sailing season also until i installed a solar-powered mushroom vent in the foredeck. nico model that came with an intake and/or exhaust fans. that ended my moisture problems.
i had a moisture problem during the sailing season also until i installed a solar-powered mushroom vent in the foredeck. nico model that came with an intake and/or exhaust fans. that ended my moisture problems.
Marino Curati wrote: I wrapped up the Ty with her great big tarp a couple of weeks ago. I have a big mildew problem in the cabin and plan on doing a major cleaning in the spring. In the mean time, I replaced the mushroom vent on the foredeck with an old cowl, removed the inspection port in the cockpit stern and left the top hatchboard out. I'm wondering if the hatchboard was overkill. The boat is completely empty and in a secure marina.
Any thoughts?
Marino Curati
Ty #74 Snug
Cleveland Covered in Snow!
-
M. R. Bober
Re: Winter boat ventilation
I normally remove all of the drop-in boards for the winter. They are replaced by a single piece of appropriately sized outdoor plywood. I have bored many holes into the plywood (all at a steep angle to prevent water from entering the cabin. I use nylon screening on the inside of the plywood to cover the holes to deny critters access This seems to work. I also open two portholes, which are under the tarp. I have been known to remove the knotmeter's sending unit to allow airflow in the bildge. Mildew stinks.
Hope this helps.
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330
Hope this helps.
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330
-
Catherine Monaghan
Re: Winter boat ventilation
Marino,
Everyone's methods are good.
To add to the others, here's what we do.
We disconnect all of the hoses from the thru-hulls and leave the thru-hulls open (boat is obviously not in the water). We also remove the knotmeter. If you're afraid of critters entering, just place the open end of an old sock over the thru-hull and put a rubberband around it. The birds and bees will stay out but air can pass through the sock and into the boat.
We remove every item from within the boat and clean all of the lazarettes and storage compartments -- we add bleach to combat mildew.
After winterization, the water tanks are completely emptied and the inspection ports for the tanks are left off of them so they can dry out -- again to avoid mildew from growing in the tanks.
We open the doors to hanging lockers and all other storage compartments and leave them open as well as removing the floor compartment covers. I also hang an anti-moisture bag in each of the hanging lockers and place a container of Damp-Rid in the bilge which has been thoroughly cleaned and pumped completely dry.
We keep our boat locked up -- there has been vandalization to boats left unattended in the yard where we keep her. So all ports, hatches and boards are closed and locked.
There's a cowl vent over the head and two at the stern for interior ventilation.
We build a frame on deck and use one of those heavy-duty silver tarps -- it's not so big that it reaches more than halfway down the sides of the boat yet covers her completely. We place 2 fenders on each side of the boat before tying down the tarp. The fenders are placed to allow air to flow around them and up under the tarp.
It's alot of work, but we haven't had any moisture problems during the winter layup.
So no, I don't think your method is overkill.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
Everyone's methods are good.
To add to the others, here's what we do.
We disconnect all of the hoses from the thru-hulls and leave the thru-hulls open (boat is obviously not in the water). We also remove the knotmeter. If you're afraid of critters entering, just place the open end of an old sock over the thru-hull and put a rubberband around it. The birds and bees will stay out but air can pass through the sock and into the boat.
We remove every item from within the boat and clean all of the lazarettes and storage compartments -- we add bleach to combat mildew.
After winterization, the water tanks are completely emptied and the inspection ports for the tanks are left off of them so they can dry out -- again to avoid mildew from growing in the tanks.
We open the doors to hanging lockers and all other storage compartments and leave them open as well as removing the floor compartment covers. I also hang an anti-moisture bag in each of the hanging lockers and place a container of Damp-Rid in the bilge which has been thoroughly cleaned and pumped completely dry.
We keep our boat locked up -- there has been vandalization to boats left unattended in the yard where we keep her. So all ports, hatches and boards are closed and locked.
There's a cowl vent over the head and two at the stern for interior ventilation.
We build a frame on deck and use one of those heavy-duty silver tarps -- it's not so big that it reaches more than halfway down the sides of the boat yet covers her completely. We place 2 fenders on each side of the boat before tying down the tarp. The fenders are placed to allow air to flow around them and up under the tarp.
It's alot of work, but we haven't had any moisture problems during the winter layup.
So no, I don't think your method is overkill.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
Marino Curati wrote: I wrapped up the Ty with her great big tarp a couple of weeks ago. I have a big mildew problem in the cabin and plan on doing a major cleaning in the spring. In the mean time, I replaced the mushroom vent on the foredeck with an old cowl, removed the inspection port in the cockpit stern and left the top hatchboard out. I'm wondering if the hatchboard was overkill. The boat is completely empty and in a secure marina.
Any thoughts?
Marino Curati
Ty #74 Snug
Cleveland Covered in Snow!
catherine_monaghan@merck.com