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Ventilation for Boat stored on the hard

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by MCCARTR1, Oct 26, 2025.

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  1. MCCARTR1, Oct 26, 2025
    #1
    MCCARTR1

    MCCARTR1 New Member

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    Fellow Mariners,
    We will be storing our boat (Fleming 55) on the hard in Grenada during hurricane season and are looking for solutions to minimize humidity levels, mold etc. i.e. Are trying to resource ideas: Dehumidifier suggestions, Air circulating protocol, Insulation ideas etc. Would be grateful to receive your feedback.
  2. Tiaraguy, Oct 29, 2025
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    Tiaraguy

    Tiaraguy New Member

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    My approach is always to seal it up tightly and then fill open buckets with No Damp (or similar) and leave them all over the place. One for each cabin, head, bilge compartment, and several for the salon. They will fill up, so you have to have a secondary bucket to catch the overflow. NEVER spill that stuff inside the finished spaces of your boat. Sailors like to use their vents but I find that sealing up is the best approach. Toilets with non-alcohol antifreeze in them will have a lower vapor pressure than a bowl full of water. And make sure you remove every bit of food obviously.
    rtrafford likes this.
  3. MCCARTR1, Oct 29, 2025
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    MCCARTR1

    MCCARTR1 New Member

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    Thanks for your feedback Tiaraguy.
  4. SplashFl, Oct 30, 2025
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    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    For a dozen or so 6 month seasons I used to leave the 2 previous boats in the water with a dehumidifier on the galley counter with a short hose that drained into the sink that exited out the side. Never had any issues.
  5. rtrafford, Oct 30, 2025
    #5
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Pretty fail safe subject to power reliance, along with a small fan inside to circulate air.
  6. Capt J, Oct 30, 2025
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    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The dehumidifier and fan will help, but I surely wouldn't leave a 55' Fleming on the hard in Grenada in the summer, the heat will destroy the woodwork.
  7. MCCARTR1, Oct 31, 2025
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    MCCARTR1

    MCCARTR1 New Member

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    Captain J, I would think this would not be that unusual for a boat with teak interior to be stored on the hard in southern climates. We were thinking of having 2 Dry pal compression dehumidifiers located both below and in the salon with fans. These are very effective in controlling humidity levels. Are you saying low humidity heat will damage interior. Should we look at putting a portable AC/heat pump unit on deck with a ventilation duct going into boat ? Not sure how complicated this would be. Our plan is to store outside on the hard, only one season. Future storage will be at River Forest indoor climate controlled.
  8. MCCARTR1, Oct 31, 2025
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    MCCARTR1

    MCCARTR1 New Member

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    I was thinking now maybe getting 2 Antartic star portable AC units, one in the salon and one down below in the cabin area. These provide 13,000 BTU AC but also dehumidify so I might only use one Dry Pal dehumidifier. Any comments ?
  9. rtrafford, Nov 1, 2025
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    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    If you use two AC units, they're the dehumidifiers themselves. Still incorporate the fans to help move air.
  10. MCCARTR1, Nov 1, 2025
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    MCCARTR1

    MCCARTR1 New Member

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    Ok just want to make sure the two AC units will be able to deal with all the humidity. Grenada in the summer...
    But will ask the yard what their experience is with their customers. Tks for your comment
  11. rtrafford, Nov 1, 2025
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    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Best outcome is that your yard has access to a 4 ton package unit and some flex ducting. With the two 13k Btu you're at two ton, better than no ton. Should be fine for dehumidification. Won't do a lot to keep cool, but it will dehumidify. Yeah, that's probably better than straight humidity control as those just generate heat. Fans to move air as well.
  12. MCCARTR1, Nov 1, 2025
    #12
    MCCARTR1

    MCCARTR1 New Member

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    OK will ask when we visit SIMS and Clarke's Thanks
  13. Capt J, Nov 3, 2025
    #13
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The heat inside the boat will be unreal during summer time. I would believe it would effect the stability of the woodwork and the finish on the wood work. Air conditioning would be good.
  14. SplashFl, Nov 4, 2025
    #14
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    When I purchased the current Bertram ALL of the interior teak wood's finish was crinkled. Doors were removed and taken to the carpenter's shop and he spent about 2 weeks lightly sanding smooth & refinishing. Heat was one guess as to why it happened, but we'll probably never really know. Same marine carpenter was aboard on a different project a few weeks back and in talking he mentioned another customer's 60' spt. fish with same issue, but he turned down the job.