Dehumidifying

[Oblivionboyj]

The interior of my boat smells a bit musty.
I know the source of the moisture, the forward hatch has a persistent leak (that I hope to stop soon).
Not an issue if I keep it covered.

So I was wondering if it made any sense to leave a dehumidifier running in the boat?
I was thinking it would drain into the bilge (a bilge pump is left on auto mode when the boat is docked and unattended).
Is this just going to cause a moisture loop?

 

[kloudie1]

That can work very well to dry things out. I used one for a few years . I secured it next to the sink and drained it into the sink.. I had to be careful with the humidistat because it could dry things out so well that wood started warping.. Today I have a dehumidify cycle on the air cond . It drains into the bilge and it has not caused a problem with a moisture loop.
Welcome aboard ! This is a fine forum.. Well run and well participated in

 

[Oblivionboyj]

I didn't even think of the sink!
Thanks!
The sink just drains overboard, right?

Thanks for the welcome

 

[Patrick S/V Shangra-La]

I drain mine in the sink, and to prevent it from getting too dry I pug in one of those dial timers then plug the dehumidifier into it. I set it from 6 = 10 am then 6 = 10 pm. The wood does not shrink and my screws stay tight.

 

[Oblivionboyj]

I wouldn't have thought about the effect on the wood and screws.
Good stuff there