No Condensation,

[bridma]

Hi George (Kerri On),

You and Carolyn spend a lot of time on your boat, did you find a cure for V-Berth ventilation? I remember awhile back you talked about useing soffit material. How did that work out?
Any input from other Brats would be welcome. I have to do something, my admiral is getting crabby about the condensation.

I told her about my old navy days about coming off watch and getting in a "warm" hammock still smelling of the previous occupant's sweat. A bit of condensation is nothing. She was not amused with that either!

Martin.

[ghone]

Hi Martin, you're right I had good sucess with vinyl soffit material but still had too much condensation near feet and more on Carolyn's side ( she's hot!)
I just took it out and installed Hypervent from Industrial Plastics It should do way better It's a bit on the spendy side I got 8 lineal feet of 40" wide at $168.00 Cdn
Our week out last week produced no moisture Better get some! I also put 1/2 inch foam on the berth sides and deck but not cabin over head
Cozy now

[hardee]

Timely question. I have had very little issue with condensation, but see it mentioned often. I have wondered if DryDeck under the sleeping mattresses would make a difference. It would allow much more air circulation under the pads.

I do keep the front hatch open at least to the first notch, and the center window is open to that first notch and then one side window is open ~4 inches. Also, I have my CPAP machine running which works kind of like a fan.

Harvey
SleepyC

[Casey]

We also use HyperVent below the V-berth cushions, together with a length of unicellular foam (backpacker sleeping pad from Walmart, $ along each side and that seems to help a lot. Ventilating the closed space seems to be very useful, but when you're trying keep warm that is problematic.

We ordered a 12v fan to help move the air, and that will help some as well.

...also a good idea to keep a mop-up towel and a smallish shower squeege handy. Use the squeege on the windows and the towel on the drippy bulkheads and overhead, then hang it outside on the cockpit clothes line.

We're still searching for the perfect solution (...possibly Lake Powell).

Best,
C&M

[williwaw]

I insulated the V-berth on Williwaw using closed cell foam (1/2" ceiling, 3/8" walls) and it made a MASSIVE difference. Highly recommended for anybody that spends much time sleeping on the boat. No more condensation on walls or ceiling.

I made paper templates for half the berth from brown construction paper then cut the foam to near size. I cleaned the walls with denatured alcohol and used 3M spray adhesive to make it stick. You get a few minutes of working time so it's a bit more forgiving than contact cement. Made final trims using a razor knife with the blade all the way out. Oh, and use a respirator if you don't want to lose a few IQ points. I still have the paper templates around here somewhere so anybody with a Venture 23 (26?) who wants to do it just let me know and I'll pass them on.

Kinda a pain to do but you won't regret it.

[chimoii]

[williwaw]

I have a 2007 Cape Cruiser so no factory insulation. I believe that became available in 2008 when C-Dory took over manufacturing.

[bridma]

Thanks guys for all your great input. It gives me something to work with.

Martin.

[BRAZO]

We are going to try PreciousAire Cut to Fit w/natural fibers to put under the v-berth mattress. Found this suggestion on another boaters site. I'm sure on the way to Alaska this year - it'll give it a good test. On Amazon for $30 for six 20" x 30" pieces.


http://www.flandersfilters.com/wp-content/themes/flandersfilters.com/downloads/sm1006.pdf


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008LR9S6Q?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

[rogerbum]