Mold!

[John Nantz]

Dehumidifier will help

According to studies I read, basically, mold and mildew need something like 50% RH or higher to grow. Get a dehumidifier that has auto-defrost capability and a fan. No auto-defrost and the dehumidifier won't get, and stay, below 50%.

I'm using a 40-quart model because it was the smallest one with auto-defrost and it is set on the galley counter with the drain going into the galley sink.

Initially I used to have it set at 35% RH but to save energy I've had it at 45% RH lately. It uses less energy than those round "dehumidifiers" that are really just heaters so it actually cuts the electric bill. I'm currently in my fourth season with this. It's nice to go down below after the boat has been shut up for a month and it smells fresh.

 

[Steve Dion]

John:

How do you stay away from the boat for a month at a time. I have withdrawls after one or two weeks. <g>

 

[John Nantz]

Need a "wise retort" to the guy in California....

... but I'm just not in a creative mood at the moment.

Well, Steve, it's like this fella,

We get a month of unusual weather hear and it comes in August.

It's the weather that has helped to protect the NW from being inundated with too many people. This was one of the last places on Earth where the coastline was explored and mapped - even after Antarctica! And the reason is.... rain, rain, and more rain!

Okay, so in the past couple weeks we have some sun and 60 degrees forecasted for tomorrow, but a day or two isn't worth un-tarping the boat. There are some weather windows but it can get kinda uncomfortable. Standardly, from mid October until early January it's not the most enjoyable weather.

So... that's the best I can come up with for the moment.

You may not have Puget Sound down there, but you do have great weather. Enjoy!

 

[kirbyc1goo]

Thanks for all the great info everyone. I ended using hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, sanding it all down, spraying with mold killer/preventer and painting with Glidden porch and floor paint mixed with M-1 mildewicide. I THINK this should take care of it...

 

[Ross]

Thanks for all the great info everyone. I ended using hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, sanding it all down, spraying with mold killer/preventer and painting with Glidden porch and floor paint mixed with M-1 mildewicide. I THINK this should take care of it...

My usual mantra! The cure for mold and mildew is ventilation and more ventilation. Computer fans salvaged from dead computers and an ebay solar panel for about twenty bucks will do the job very well. The problem you see is coming from airborne dust and pollen. It is like smoke and will go everywhere and stick to all that it touches. Mold and mildew spores are everywhere and we can't avoid that so all we can do is make growing conditions inhospitable for them. Bleach and water will kill the existing mildew and remove the stain. Wipe it on allow it to dry without rinsing. I have been using computer fans and a solar panel for ten years and the boat always smells fresh and clean and there is never any sign of mold inside. I have been out of commission all summer and have been to the boat only three times just to check on her well being. I find that the worst problem is the spiders hate an unoccupied space so they move in and I have to evict them. Our summer has been desert dry and hot and low country hot and humid by turns but the boat has stayed fresh.

 

[kirbyc1goo]

Thanks Ross!, Thats what i wanted to hear.