COVERING BOAT QUESTION

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 8:51 pm

Hey guys, my boat gets really dirty at the storage yard where I keep her. She's kept under a roof (on the trailer) but there is a lot of dust kicked up by trucks and cars in the unpaved parking areas, forcing me to wash my boat almost every time I use her. I have been considering covering her, even got a cover a year ago, but only today did I finally put it on. I hesitated because of the hassle factor and my concern over MILDEW.
For three years now I have had no problems with mold or MILDEW in the cabin. I think maybe this is because late in the day the sun dips low enuff to shine thru the cabin windshield windows.

My question to you guys who cover yours , all the time or just in the winter, is will I experience a problem now, and if so how do I prevent or eliminate it.

Any Advice?

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:24 pm

In the summer I cover the windlass, windshield, cockpit and inflatable.

Although you can't see the cockpit cover well, it snaps on under the roof and runs over the back rail snapping on under the rub rail.

In the winter it looks like this.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:46 pm

The three main keys to preventing mold and mildew is ventilate ventilate ventilate.

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 5:18 am

There's also a product that WM sells for mildew and odor comes in a small plastic tub. When you open it, it looks like a sponge. It shrinks up as it is uded.Bought two of them for my F36 last year when we bought it. It will definately help if you have the boat covered. Also VENTILATE!!!!!!

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:24 pm

I store the boat in a shed during the winter. I use the original vinyl cockpit cover, mostly keep bird sh*t out of the cockpit from the occasional nesting pigeon who should know better....I open the cabin windows for ventilation. I don't remove the cushions in the cabin, but prop them up on their sides, again for ventilation. Never have a problem with mildew in the winter, but it will get in the boat during the season. Usually clean if off with diluted bleach or spray, or sometimes hydrogen peroxide, which seems to do a good job.

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:43 pm

tHANKS guys, I am just affraid I am trading one problem for a bigger one. I have not had one bit of moisture trouble since I bought her, mainly, I believe for the reasons I listed above.