As I approach my senior years I am considering upgrading from my 30 foot Catalina to something that I can live aboad during the winter in warmer climates. I have looked at numerous 36's and they look good but many of them do not have a/c. Can I accomplish keeping the boat relatively mold and milldew free when not in use if I install a dehumidifier on shore power and dumping into the bilge where it will be pumped out when full? Anyone have any thoughts on this?
a/c vs dehumidifier
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I keep a dehumidifier running on my boat in the rainy months up here in Seattle (So most of the time). Current one is an LG I picked up from Home-Depot. I button the boat up (close the vents etc) and turn on the dehumidifier and it keeps the inside nice and dry. It will pull a good amount of water out of the air. Right now I just use the built in tank which is about 13 pints or 1.6 gallons. It will fill that in a week (sometimes less) and shut down, but I like checking on the boat at least weekly anyway. Most of the moisture in my boat comes down the mast and the dehumidifier can keep up with that and keep my bilge dry. A real heavy rain for a couple days will get ahead of it, but it will catch up eventually.
If you can't check weekly, what about dumping into the sink drain, or a large bucket?
If you can't check weekly, what about dumping into the sink drain, or a large bucket?
AC and dehumidifier
some of the new AC units now have a just dehumidify setting. You could use that Depending on where you are and how hot it is. I know here in SW Florida in the summer you want the ac on. I set mine at about 85 or 86. It comes on about 11 or so and runs then off and on till sunset.
some of the new AC units now have a just dehumidify setting. You could use that Depending on where you are and how hot it is. I know here in SW Florida in the summer you want the ac on. I set mine at about 85 or 86. It comes on about 11 or so and runs then off and on till sunset.
I would really recommend against leaving a reverse-cycle system on when you are away from the boat.
It's a pressurized water system sucking in sea water into the boat at 10g/m. If any one of the hoses, clamps, seals etc fail you'll find your boat sunk in her slip.
We never leave ours in auto or on mode when we are not on the boat.
Not the bilge, as others have stated. Down the sink reduces dampness in the boat. Really, your bilge should be dry and stay dry. Wet is not normal for a boat in good repair.
I have a 32-foot cat, a close analog in terms of area and windows to a 36-foot mono. Try this:
http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2012/12/dehumidifier-vs-desicant.html
It will pull all you need while you are gone, is light and compact, and draws little. If you want it to run only part of the day, put it on a timer or photocell for $10. While it won't pull the volume needed for a liveaboard not will it dry the boat quickly, it will easily keep it down while you're away with minimal draw.
I'm guessing those that leave the AC on have never had a hose leak or a through-hull failure. Not likely in a good system, but.... There are better ways, at least for my comfort level. I have AC but would never leave it on for more than a few hours away.
a dehumidifier is going to raise your inside temperature up as it runs winter Florida that could be nice, getting water out as said would be my major concern.
I use a couple of these http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product1_11151_10001_100586_-1?icid=HF3_6#.UQnA7rDOWYY when the boat is shut for a while.
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