Dehumidifying

[pdo]

Does anyone have a suggestion for the best way to keep humidity under control inside the cabin and v-berth of a R-23 to avoid mildew development? Thanks

 

[BradN]

I keep one of these running in the main cabin, although they say it's not advisable:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... ecordNum=1

and hang one of these in the head:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/star-bri ... ecordNum=2

I keep my boat in the water year round and have never had an issue with mold, mildew, or musty smells.

 

[FlyMeAway]

You can get a peltier dehumidifier and hook it up so it drains into the galley sink (this is a good option on any boat) -- it is more economical (and easier to stow) than a full-on compressor-based dehumidifier.

 

[neil]

At the advice of another Tugnut member I bought a Very small dehumidifier which takes out a couple of inches of water a day which seems to lower the humidity level significantly.

 

[Capt’nKarl]

We’ve been using DampRid hanging moisture absorber in our boat and camper for years and have never had a mold or moisture issue. I don’t know how the cost compares with the one from West Marine but you can get DampRid just about anywhere.

 

[SJI Sailor]

+1 to BradN, we use the same Caframo. One in stateroom and one in the cave (that is C30, wanted to make sure there's some circulation there, too).

And it may be overkill, but we also use one of these, especially in the rainy season, like Neil and FlyMeAway mention: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07X43R...abc_563YQ7CMNJACBQHAYCG7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I worry about putting it on the counter (might fall over or have the hose come loose) so I put it on the floor. I run the outlet tube through the engine room port into the bilge.

 

[pdo]

Thanks everyone. Excellent feedback!

 

[Firepara36]

Yes I suggest the household unit in the winter time in the PNW. Just place drain house in the sink and your good to go.

 

[palle]

Hi BradN: you write that it’s not recommend to use the West Marine Air Drier. Do you know why and for what reason? I use 2 of those and so far have had no problems.

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Our boat spent its first winter in the PNW this year, including that epic snow event. We ran two of the air dryers and opened cabinets for air circulation to damp places. We put one on the floor of the head and one on the floor of the main cabin. Each time we visited the boat (about once a month) it was toasty dry. We have been diligent about leaks, which helps I suppose. I think it is a more complicated challenge for warm, humid climes where a real dehumidifier might be a better option.

 

[FlyMeAway]

And it may be overkill, but we also use one of these, especially in the rainy season, like Neil and FlyMeAway mention: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07X43R...abc_563YQ7CMNJACBQHAYCG7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

That one does strike me as overkill. Back when I had my sailboat, I had something more like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Gurin-Thermo...fier&qid=1619539563&smid=A8YXBQ7YB5YFQ&sr=8-8

IIRC they had to be replaced every 2-3 years (just stopped working), but for the price hard to beat. Squat enough that worrying about tip-over wasn't an issue, but I know other boaters who have solved that concern by screwing or epoxying to a base of marine plywood. It took a little jerry-rigging to run tube to the sink (I think the one I had I ending up drilling a hole in the tank and using a compression fitting, took maybe 30 mins and $6 in reusable parts).

 

[Chimo]

Ambient temperature is important when deciding on which dehumidifier will actually work. There's good additional info. in this thread viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17440

 

[Eric R]

And it may be overkill, but we also use one of these, especially in the rainy season, like Neil and FlyMeAway mention: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07X43R...abc_563YQ7CMNJACBQHAYCG7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I agree this is probably overkill as well, but, I purchased it based on the recommendation of others last fall when every time I turned the heat on things got really humid and damp feeling, moisture would build up on the windows, etc. I can tell you, it is awesome! I wish it was a little smaller, but I love it. My only regret is that I didn't get it sooner.

 

[JaneSacharoff]

I am looking for a small dehumidifier for our R29. Do I need one with a hose attachment or can I use a small one with a canister not worrying about it overflowing?

 

[Eric R]

I am looking for a small dehumidifier for our R29. Do I need one with a hose attachment or can I use a small one with a canister not worrying about it overflowing?

All the ones I've ever seen shut themselves off when the canister gets full.

 

[SJI Sailor]

Or maybe drill a hole in the tray, and set the unit in the sink?

 

[Scottfree]

I'm on Vancouver island and I just leave the bathroom little roof window open on the first notch. No mildew in over 10 years.

 

[Gunner065]

I'll echo numerous comments so far.

I have a R25 SC, I put two of these https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... ecordNum=1, in the salon part of the boat. One beneath the V-berth and the other one by the aft door leading to the cockpit. Then I open all inside doors (heads, etc.) so as to have unrestricted airflow throughout. As well, I take home all paper products (charts, books, etc) and any items that could be prone to mildew (v-berth foamy, clothing that I care about, etc.). I keep the port hole between the head and cockpit closed.

Since my club's infrastructure is fairly old, each boater is asked to limit their winter electricity usage to 5 amps or less. My arrangements uses less than 2 amps, there are sailboats using more power than my RT by a long shot.

Hope this helps

 

[Someday*]

I am looking for a small dehumidifier for our R29. Do I need one with a hose attachment or can I use a small one with a canister not worrying about it overflowing?

Could you just set the unit in the sink...maybe on something so its slightly off the actual bottom of the sink and leave the canister out so the water just flows out the sink drain?

 

[SJI Sailor]

Maybe -- the ones I've seen won't operate without the tray in place. Others might. Could perhaps tape over the sensor switch, but I figure a hole is foolproof (which I need, lol).