Condensation in Main Berth

[Rocky Lou]

I'm getting condensation droplets forming only above the main forward berth on the fiberglass just above the top of berth (where pillows are located). I keep a gauge and it reads consistently above the dew point. I did not want to leave a plug in device on board, even though I've done that on other boats. I bought three Eva-dry E-500 Renewable Mini Dehumidifiers and placed them around the boat. In the forward compartment I'm getting less, but some, droplets still forming. Anyone have similar?

 

[dbsea]

i've seen this with big temp differences between the inside and outside, on my C30. It happens on the sides of the berth walls, and on the hatches above the bed. I had to get hatch covers for the top, which stops it from condensing and dripping on the bed. The sides of the of the wall are minor, and i just wipe them once or twice.

 

[Bruce Moore]

We used a couple of these on our boats for years. Color change indicates full absorption. Take them home and restore them in an electric oven. Lost track of the number of cycles. Work well. I'm sure Get Storganized has them at the boat show.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[FlyMeAway]

I did not want to leave a plug in device on board, even though I've done that on other boats.

Is there a good reason for this? After having struggled across multiple boats, I have not found a workable not-plugged-in-solution, including the space dryers Bruce mentioned.

 

[SassyRed]

We had excellent results hanging 2 Damp-Rids in the boat, one in the cabin and one up forward. We were amazed how much water they capture. We also put a couple of SafeT Air (tea tree oil) on board. I know you said you didn't want to leave anything plugged in and running, but if you change your mind, we found WEST MARINE–Air Dryer with Fan or the Carafano equivalent worked really well.

 

[T&VBee]

We’ve been using a method for years that works exceptionally well but may be an overkill for some. I have asthma so any kind of mold or mildew is a huge deal. We simply place a small heater in the lowest place onboard and leave a couple windows slightly open for cross-ventilation as well as a small vent opening at top. Cold & humid PNW air enters the cabin and as it becomes heated the relative humidity drops turning cabin air into a huge sponge soaking up moisture then removing it from the boat only to be replaced by more cold air.

I keep a hygrometer and temperature sensor onboard so I can monitor conditions in real-time. I was a bit late last fall setting the heater up and the cabin was dripping wet with condensation even though I had some ventilation. After putting the heater in that evening the cabin was dry as a bone the next day. Highly effective and you don’t have to deal with water collection/drainage as you would with a dehumidifier.

Terry

 

[Rocky Lou]

Lots of great suggestions here that I'm reviewing, thanks. I'm drying out my Eva-dry units and will give them another try before adding additional units, either unplugged or plugged.

I've used the Caframo Stor-Dry type, but, read on their site that they should not be left plugged in unattended, even though they are clearly designed to do just that. I expect the comment falls under 'legal protection' since they can't protect against every possible usage. That was one of the reasons that I posted, i.e. to understand if anyone heard of plugged in units causing fires or electrical issues.

 

[scross]

We have two of the Caframo Stor-Dry units in the cabin going all winter. We place them on metal surfaces only. No issues in 6 winters! These, in combination with a Caframo True North heater which only comes on when cabin temps drop below 38 degrees, keep the cabin above freezing and relatively dry all winter.
That said, we are diesel and have no propane anywhere on the boat in winter. I would not be comfortable leaving these units on 24/7 with gasoline or a source of propane leakage on the boat.