Preventing Mildew during winter storage.

[A.L. ("Jim") Willis Pres of ISLAND GIRL PROD.]

A big problem with boats that are covered and shut up over the winter is mildew.WHat do people out there use and recommend. Of course I uwe my own products.. but am I too much in love with ISLAND GIRL?Jim W

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Starbrite brand silica

I use basic silica. I tend to find the starbrite brand locally more often than any other brand. I have a couple of collanders than find in a couple of trash cans and use those as my basins. This year maybe I'll order up some of the Island Girl stuff and check it out. Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Rich Stidger]

Buckets, Collanders, & Calcium Chloride

I also use a 5-6 quart bucket with a collander on top. I put about 1-1.5# of calcium chloride pellets into the collander. Last spring I emptied over 5 quarts of water out of 7 buckets.The calcium chloride is available in 50 or 80# bags at any garden supply store. The buckets and collanders can be had for a buck apiece at most dollar stores.I do make sure that my bilge is pumped dry so that I don't have a built-in source of moisture after closing. About mid-winter I may add another 1/2# of calcium chloride to the collanders.I used this method last year for the first time and had good results. A friend that told me about this technique has been using it for years with no mildew.Rich

 

[Rick Webb]

Rich's Solution Sounds Familiar

I buy the buckets of the stuff, drill holes in the bottom and then set it in the sink which drains right out the boat. I like the idea of using the colander.

 

[Hayden Watson]

open through hull?

Does that mean you leave your through hull open all winter?

 

[Rick Webb]

Yep, But not Much Winter

My sink drains straight out the side so it works out real well. We do not lay up the boat for the winter and I keep the thing in the sink all year long, our humidity is the problem. Our best sailing weather just started about a month ago and though the days get shorter we sail every month that we make a boat payment.