We are new sailboat owners. We are looking for ways to lower the moisture level in the boat, during the winter months while the boat is not being used regularly. We currently run a small fan 24 hours per day, but have still noticed dampness in the cabins. Has anyone tried using a dehumidifier?
Dehumidifier?
- Thread starter windy24518
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Winter
Haven't tried a dehumidifyer. However, this works: Get some of the stuff you use to melt ice on your driveway...comes in bags and plastic containers at Walmart. Place a bucket in the boat with a piece of metal window screen over the opening. Put a pile of the ice melting stuff in the middle of the screen. As time goes by, the ice melting stuff draws in the humidity and deposits it as water in the bucket. Gradually the ice melting stuff (sorry, can't remember the chemical name) shrinks and may, or may not, have to be replaced.
Haven't tried a dehumidifyer. However, this works: Get some of the stuff you use to melt ice on your driveway...comes in bags and plastic containers at Walmart. Place a bucket in the boat with a piece of metal window screen over the opening. Put a pile of the ice melting stuff in the middle of the screen. As time goes by, the ice melting stuff draws in the humidity and deposits it as water in the bucket. Gradually the ice melting stuff (sorry, can't remember the chemical name) shrinks and may, or may not, have to be replaced.
dehumidifier experience
I have used a dehumidifier on my previous boat and it worked reasonably ok. I think, though, that Bert's solution is worth trying first. I guess the 'ice melting stuff' is pretty similar to the dehumidifier pellets and probably a lot cheaper! A small solar powered fan in the washboard also works well.
I have used a dehumidifier on my previous boat and it worked reasonably ok. I think, though, that Bert's solution is worth trying first. I guess the 'ice melting stuff' is pretty similar to the dehumidifier pellets and probably a lot cheaper! A small solar powered fan in the washboard also works well.
Calcium Chloride!
That is the white stuff. You can also use a turbo fan from West Marine if you have AC available. Both work fairly well.
That is the white stuff. You can also use a turbo fan from West Marine if you have AC available. Both work fairly well.
dehumidifier
thanks for the suggestions. I will try out the calcium chloride. We have a small fan running around the clock, but I am still noticing moisture, particularly around a couple of the windows. I would imagine that dampness is partly a function of climate - our boat is in northern Washington (Blaine).
thanks for the suggestions. I will try out the calcium chloride. We have a small fan running around the clock, but I am still noticing moisture, particularly around a couple of the windows. I would imagine that dampness is partly a function of climate - our boat is in northern Washington (Blaine).
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