What the heck is this?

[NOLA]

Have had this catalina 22 for several years. Yesterday I got into it and there were reddish liquid droplets on the underside of the hatch. It has been wet in New Orleans and if it were clear (or even a little dirty) I would have taken it for just usual condensation, but the red color is baffling.(I have not done any painting or sealing in the last several months) Any ideas?

 

[LloydB]

Pirates were aboard when you were away and someone cleaned up the floor but forgot to clean the champagne off the roof. Don't worry be happy your problems are just another point of view.

 

[kappykaplan]

Antifreeze that got sprayed around?

 

[kloudie1]

Seepage from hairline cracks from a wet core in the pop top? Condensation that is being discolored by the last cleaning concoction used?
Strange that it has appeared only after a real freeze the other day?? I dunno

 

[dLj]

I'd clean it up and not worry about it unless it continues to appear.

dj

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I've seem mold that was red in a boat that had flooded with rain water. I think dLj has the right idea

 

[arf145]

My first thought was bacteria growing in condensation

 

[rgranger]

I've seem mold that was red in a boat that had flooded with rain water. I think dLj has the right idea

That is what I was going to say.... I see red mold around spigouts (faucets and shower heads) often in the Charleston area and the weather here is very similar to NOLA

If the water were relatively warm during a cold snap then the water touching the hull would have kept that air in the cabin warm (and wet) compared to outside.... so condensation on the cabin top (where it is cold) would be expected during a cold snap. Think of it as the opposite of what happens when it is very hot out and condensation occurs on the hull that is below the waterline.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

That is what I was going to say.... I see red mold around spigouts (faucets and shower heads) often in the Charleston area and the weather here is very similar to NOLA

Mold or high iron content in the water?

 

[NOLA]

Thanks for the responses. The boat soap we use on the deck has a red color, but have noty given the deck a bath in several months. Definitely not using antifreeze in the cabin. (and have an electric motor). The mold is an interesting idea. I'll keep en eye on it, give the inside of the cabin a good cleaning, and then wait and see if this happens again.

 

[2discover]

I have seen red spots on epoxy as a result from an exess of hardener in the mixture, reacting wirh humidity. You would notice a slightvspecific scent from it.

 

[Capt Robbie]

it’s pink algae, probably had Algae spores on the surface and when the condensation formed on the surface, it bloomed. Wipe the surface with hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar and it will kill all of it

 

[rgranger]

Mold or high iron content in the water?

Mold
Iron is not volatile