Heating a stored boat over winter?
Discussion
Hi there
I have a question which seems to have many opinions, most of which i have seen are from the states so not that relevant to over-here in Blighty…
In a nutshell over the past few winters when the boats not in use I have been running a small greenhouse heater and a dehumidifier between 10pm and 7am. Spoke to a few of the other birth holders ant the marina and the consensus seems to be it’s a waste of money, especially the heater.
Interested to hear what the internet has to say! 👍
I have a question which seems to have many opinions, most of which i have seen are from the states so not that relevant to over-here in Blighty…
In a nutshell over the past few winters when the boats not in use I have been running a small greenhouse heater and a dehumidifier between 10pm and 7am. Spoke to a few of the other birth holders ant the marina and the consensus seems to be it’s a waste of money, especially the heater.
Interested to hear what the internet has to say! 👍
... and is it purely a sunny pleasure vessel, or are you storing fittings, furnishings, live-ables (?) during the off-season.
The former, then keeping it a reasonable humidity and a days airing every month is a good idea.
The latter, a wipe down when it's released from being mothballed!
I'm a big proponent of a used vehicle, likes to be used. Anything sat around is dying a slow death. I think the naysayers of what your original post states are the ones who can afford unnecessary maintenance, refurbishment, dry-storage etc.
+1 for your current plan
The former, then keeping it a reasonable humidity and a days airing every month is a good idea.
The latter, a wipe down when it's released from being mothballed!
I'm a big proponent of a used vehicle, likes to be used. Anything sat around is dying a slow death. I think the naysayers of what your original post states are the ones who can afford unnecessary maintenance, refurbishment, dry-storage etc.
+1 for your current plan
Compressor dehumidifiers need heat as they more or less stop working below 10 degrees, desiccant units are supposed to work down to near zero, at which point it becomes moot as there's no significant humidity. There are zealots who do not use these fripperies; the theory being if your boat is keeps the rain out and you wash down the interior and bilges to remove salt it will remain dry if adequately ventilated.
EmailAddress said:
... and is it purely a sunny pleasure vessel, or are you storing fittings, furnishings, live-ables (?) during the off-season.
The former, then keeping it a reasonable humidity and a days airing every month is a good idea.
The latter, a wipe down when it's released from being mothballed!
I'm a big proponent of a used vehicle, likes to be used. Anything sat around is dying a slow death. I think the naysayers of what your original post states are the ones who can afford unnecessary maintenance, refurbishment, dry-storage etc.
+1 for your current plan
Thanks for the feedback 👍The former, then keeping it a reasonable humidity and a days airing every month is a good idea.
The latter, a wipe down when it's released from being mothballed!
I'm a big proponent of a used vehicle, likes to be used. Anything sat around is dying a slow death. I think the naysayers of what your original post states are the ones who can afford unnecessary maintenance, refurbishment, dry-storage etc.
+1 for your current plan
hidetheelephants said:
Compressor dehumidifiers need heat as they more or less stop working below 10 degrees, desiccant units are supposed to work down to near zero, at which point it becomes moot as there's no significant humidity. There are zealots who do not use these fripperies; the theory being if your boat is keeps the rain out and you wash down the interior and bilges to remove salt it will remain dry if adequately ventilated.
Thanks, mines a desiccantYou should do what you can to keep the interior free of damp and mould.
Sealing it up and using a dehumdifier works.
Background heat and trickle vents work.
Opening up the hatches when the sun comes out is pretty good.
The starting point IMHO needs to be getting the interior clean and dry, then zero tolerance of rain leaks.
I think it pays to visit the boat at least once a month, more if you can and deal with any damp or dirt.
My boat does not have mains electricity. I rely on a cover with some ventilation and airing the boat on nice days.
I have a diesel powered hot air heater, running that once a fortnight helps dry things out.
The nature of the beast is that it's down by the river, where the air is often damp in Autumn and Winter.
Sealing it up and using a dehumdifier works.
Background heat and trickle vents work.
Opening up the hatches when the sun comes out is pretty good.
The starting point IMHO needs to be getting the interior clean and dry, then zero tolerance of rain leaks.
I think it pays to visit the boat at least once a month, more if you can and deal with any damp or dirt.
My boat does not have mains electricity. I rely on a cover with some ventilation and airing the boat on nice days.
I have a diesel powered hot air heater, running that once a fortnight helps dry things out.
The nature of the beast is that it's down by the river, where the air is often damp in Autumn and Winter.
I remove all cushions from mine and store at home. Sails are kept in the garage.
I run a small tubular heater (80w) with integral thermostat set only to come on when the temp drops below about 5c.
The dehumidifier (Maeco DD8L) also has various fan and dryness settings and self draining, down the sink. Both are permanently connected with no time clock.
I've done this for a number of years for different yachts. It is both inexpensive and effective.
When i viewed my previous cruiser racer she was kept in a massive heated shed on the Baltic. It's very common there due to the harsh winters. Where I am now on the South coast it rarely gets below zero for any length of time.
I run a small tubular heater (80w) with integral thermostat set only to come on when the temp drops below about 5c.
The dehumidifier (Maeco DD8L) also has various fan and dryness settings and self draining, down the sink. Both are permanently connected with no time clock.
I've done this for a number of years for different yachts. It is both inexpensive and effective.
When i viewed my previous cruiser racer she was kept in a massive heated shed on the Baltic. It's very common there due to the harsh winters. Where I am now on the South coast it rarely gets below zero for any length of time.
By chance this arrived in my inbox today. The list contains far more than any one boat will need I think, but it's an overview: https://www.asap-supplies.com/winterisation-tips
My boat is an inland cruiser with inboard diesel but I like to keep it operational. With the benefit of shore power, I set up oil-filled radiators in the engine bay and saloon, drain the water tanks and WC, put a passive dehumidifier in the saloon and put covers on the skylights.
My boat is an inland cruiser with inboard diesel but I like to keep it operational. With the benefit of shore power, I set up oil-filled radiators in the engine bay and saloon, drain the water tanks and WC, put a passive dehumidifier in the saloon and put covers on the skylights.
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