Condensation/Leaks?

[ScottySailor]

So I just spent a week in San Francisco on my new to me 84 Hunter 31, Luckily or unluckily it rained pretty heavy a few times so I was able to see where there were leaks and address them. (Anchor locker drain plug needed resealed, wiring through the deck from bow lights needed to be resealed, Mounting brackets on cockpit deck for grab handle needed to be resealed)
One thing confusing to me is it always seems to get wet/damp under the v berth cushions and aft berth cushions, do you guys/gals think it's just condensation as they are on top of the cold waste/water tanks?
Most nights it got down to 45 outside probably colder in the water and I had a space heater keeping the cabin at 60-65?
Thoughts, is this normal have you experienced it? Remedies, suggestions
thanks in advance

 

[SG]

Yes, SocttySalor, I would suspect the same thing: With cold water and hot bodies (or just the cabin air), the dew point is often somewhere near the bottom of the cushions. (It's obviously better if it were in the air space below all of that ;^))).

There are some products that provide some protection. Generally those are a honeycomb-like pad that allows for the condensation to dry-out and keep the dew-point "position" below the cushions. I have heard that they generally work, unless you're in much colder water.

 

[jssailem]

Scotty.. Congrats on the boat. Nothing like going out for a couple of days to just discover the boat.

While the V-Berth moisture may be condensation, it is likely caused by your own body heat. Look for a way to get air under the mattress. There are several systems and each has it's friends that will swear it is the best thing since sliced bread...

I found "HYPERVENT AIRE-FLOW™ MOISTURE BARRIER". Easy to install and works great.

 

[ScottySailor]

Scotty.. Congrats on the boat. Nothing like going out for a couple of days to just discover the boat.

While the V-Berth moisture may be condensation, it is likely caused by your own body heat. Look for a way to get air under the mattress. There are several systems and each has it's friends that will swear it is the best thing since sliced bread...

I found "HYPERVENT AIRE-FLOW™ MOISTURE BARRIER". Easy to install and works great.

Yip I definitely learned so much from spending 7 days on the boat like the 8 different wires that all had dc power going to them inside the steering binnacle that were cut and had loose wires...yikes.. looks like they had different gps,solar,etc systems that were removed but not cleaned up...
luckily no loose bare ac wires on board..
Although my onboard battery charger probably 20 years old doesn't work, I found out as my cabin lights were progressively getting dimmer each night lol

 

[jssailem]

Read the info on Mainesails website... Marine How To - DIY for Boaters

Info on chargers is excellent. I bought my 30 amp Sterling charger from him. Fair price and excellent product.

 

[ScottySailor]

Scotty.. Congrats on the boat. Nothing like going out for a couple of days to just discover the boat.

While the V-Berth moisture may be condensation, it is likely caused by your own body heat. Look for a way to get air under the mattress. There are several systems and each has it's friends that will swear it is the best thing since sliced bread...

I found "HYPERVENT AIRE-FLOW™ MOISTURE BARRIER". Easy to install and works great.

Read the info on Mainesails website... Marine How To - DIY for Boaters

Info on chargers is excellent. I bought my 30 amp Sterling charger from him. Fair price and excellent product.

I just watched a couple of videos about the moisture barrier, looks cool, did it eliminate your condensation problem, greatly reduce it or?
Just trying to get an idea of what to look for after I install it I don't want to have too high expectations..

 

[jssailem]

Eliminated my problem.

 

[ggrizzard]

Mine and two other boats I've stayed on as well.

 

[ScottySailor]

Eliminated my problem.

Excellent thanks

 

[jmce1587]

Aire flow product looks like a great find. I’m not sure if ur on a mooring or dockside. In my slip I run a dehumidifier 24/7 draining to my galley sink. U can also drain to bilge. This keeps moisture levels down And removes boat musty smells/odors. Got mine at Wally World with a programmable setting for humidity levels. Think it’s a GE model but wasn’t too expensive a model.

 

[jssailem]

U can also drain to bilge. .

While in the marina I keep a dehumidifier running. It does reduce mildew and mold. The boat smells fresh upon entry. Mine produces a lot of water. Getting the water outside of the hull is key. I installed a thru hull for this to happen about 6 weeks ago. So far this works great.

You want the water outside the boat. In the bilge it will just leave water that now evaporates which puts moisture in the air which contributes to mold and mildew. Then the cycle repeats. All you are doing is paying for electricity.

 

[jmce1587]

True on keeping water outside of the boat and not in the bilge. I also like a dry bilge. I drain my dehumidifier to the galley sink. Others may have issue with leaving a thru hull open. I’m at my boat frequently and am not too concerned with using galley drain.

 

[jssailem]

I used the sink drain For 2 years. I live 250 miles from the boat. Always felt uncomfortable bout leaving the boat with the 1 inch thru hull open. Then we came up with a 1/2” hole in the sie of the boat. The dehumidifier has a 1/2“ hose that now drains to the thru hull in the boat side. When sailing I disconnect the hose, store the unit away and put a cap on the thru hull fitting. So far it works as engineered.