First time hauling and storing my boat for winter (Catalina 27). How/where do you store cushions so they don't get moldy? I have a small condo with no storage space. Thanks.
Cushion storage
- Thread starter Eric14428
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On the boat
I now keep mine on the boat during the winter. I place all the cushions on their sides for good air flow. I also open all of the storage spaces in the boat. I have used a dehumidifier in the past, but I have not had a problem after I stopped using it. I have a 1990 Hunter 33.5.
I now keep mine on the boat during the winter. I place all the cushions on their sides for good air flow. I also open all of the storage spaces in the boat. I have used a dehumidifier in the past, but I have not had a problem after I stopped using it. I have a 1990 Hunter 33.5.
Keep them dry
We leave the cushions on the boat, which is out of the water for the winter. Store them such that air can get to both top and bottom, and use a few of the humidity control packs to keep the dampness under control. We've done this for a few years and have had no dampness issues with the cushions (or anything else) Ken
We leave the cushions on the boat, which is out of the water for the winter. Store them such that air can get to both top and bottom, and use a few of the humidity control packs to keep the dampness under control. We've done this for a few years and have had no dampness issues with the cushions (or anything else) Ken
In My Attic
If you have the space, I put mine in the attic and put a blue tarp over them. I feel more secure doing it this way rather than think about what could be happening on the boat - even with it shrink-wrapped.
If you have the space, I put mine in the attic and put a blue tarp over them. I feel more secure doing it this way rather than think about what could be happening on the boat - even with it shrink-wrapped.
I used to bring them home, but....
it required a second trip with a pickup due to the bulk and number of them. Since my trip was 150 miles, I decided to keep them onboard. Like Ken Johnson and Ken Palmer, we put them on their sides for good circulation and I also place 7 pails of calcium chloride around the cabins to absorb water and keep the humidity low. Never had a problem with mold on the cushions in 8 years of this storage method. The pails of calcium chloride are set up as follows: Buy plastic pails and collanders at the dollar store. Put a collander in the top of each pail and place several scoops of calicum chloride in the collander. The calcium chloride will absorb the moisture and then it will drip into the bucket. My 7 buckets collect 2 full buckets of water over the winter and spring. Most of the water appears in the spring. The calicum chloride can be purchased at any garden supply store and it is the same stuff in the "damp-rid" pre-loaded buckets that you can buy at the boat stores for 10x more $$.
it required a second trip with a pickup due to the bulk and number of them. Since my trip was 150 miles, I decided to keep them onboard. Like Ken Johnson and Ken Palmer, we put them on their sides for good circulation and I also place 7 pails of calcium chloride around the cabins to absorb water and keep the humidity low. Never had a problem with mold on the cushions in 8 years of this storage method. The pails of calcium chloride are set up as follows: Buy plastic pails and collanders at the dollar store. Put a collander in the top of each pail and place several scoops of calicum chloride in the collander. The calcium chloride will absorb the moisture and then it will drip into the bucket. My 7 buckets collect 2 full buckets of water over the winter and spring. Most of the water appears in the spring. The calicum chloride can be purchased at any garden supply store and it is the same stuff in the "damp-rid" pre-loaded buckets that you can buy at the boat stores for 10x more $$.
When I bought my used boat in the spring of '05, the cushions had been on her all winter. They were all moldy! I removed all covers and washed. the following winter, I stored them in my apartment. This year, I am storing them in my storage shed, (but may move to the house when I move in). I agree with the above posts about storing such that they get air. For winter storage, I tarp my boat well and leave the forward hatch open about an inch and have a screen installed in the opening. this keeps things nice and airy throughout the winter.
Shouldn't be a problem
My first suggestion would be to take the cushions off the boat and store them in a dry place. However, I take it from your post that you have no place to store the cushions at home. This shouldn't be a problem. I bought my boat from a guy in Groton, and he kept the cushions on the boat all winter every winter, and sometimes he didn't even cover the boat. Never had a problem wih mold or mildew. My first winter with the boat, I had her shrinkwrapped, put some moisture absorbers aboard, and I left the cushions aboard. I obsessed all winter about the possibility of mold. There was none, but I decided that I would bring them home in the fall from now on. If you do leave them aboard, cover the boat well and put some moisture control in there. Believe it or not, replacement cushions will cost you almost as much as new sails, so treat them well.
My first suggestion would be to take the cushions off the boat and store them in a dry place. However, I take it from your post that you have no place to store the cushions at home. This shouldn't be a problem. I bought my boat from a guy in Groton, and he kept the cushions on the boat all winter every winter, and sometimes he didn't even cover the boat. Never had a problem wih mold or mildew. My first winter with the boat, I had her shrinkwrapped, put some moisture absorbers aboard, and I left the cushions aboard. I obsessed all winter about the possibility of mold. There was none, but I decided that I would bring them home in the fall from now on. If you do leave them aboard, cover the boat well and put some moisture control in there. Believe it or not, replacement cushions will cost you almost as much as new sails, so treat them well.
Moisture
The last several winters I have placed my cushions on end inside the boat, not laying flat. I then set up two small 5-watt heaters. I then bought 4 Air-dri containers and placed them in various locations inside the cabin. And made sure the crystals were kept topped up. I was amazed at how much liquid those crystals pull out of the air. Still do not know how they work but I had not one bit of mould or dampness or fungus or related nasties. Due to the design of my Beneteau with several dorade vents, the air-flow is good. Peter
The last several winters I have placed my cushions on end inside the boat, not laying flat. I then set up two small 5-watt heaters. I then bought 4 Air-dri containers and placed them in various locations inside the cabin. And made sure the crystals were kept topped up. I was amazed at how much liquid those crystals pull out of the air. Still do not know how they work but I had not one bit of mould or dampness or fungus or related nasties. Due to the design of my Beneteau with several dorade vents, the air-flow is good. Peter
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