Help with mold

Flip · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 7:48 pm Post subject: Help with mold

Hi we are new, really new to the boating world. Have wanted a boat for 40 years and finally just bought one. The first time we took her out I took one look at the lake and said Hon,not sure we should do this, however we did and it went ok, though bringing her in to dock is not a thing of beauty but at this point we feel lucky to even get near the thing and this is in the best of weather. We used this site for help when it came to outfitting "Pooch", Wallas stove/heater , seat placement, take out ice box, ect. and are still using all the helpful advise. Now down to my question, what to do about mold or mildew that has started to grow on the roof in the cabin. Our boat is out side and our winter weather is wet. I tried using 1/4 c. chlorex to qt. of water however that doesn't seem to be working very well and is taking the shine off the fiberglass so I stopped doing this and and am looking for some direction from here. Many thanks.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 8:28 pm Post subject:

FLIP-

If it's growing inside the cabin on the roof top, you 've got way to much moisture in there!

First, I'll have to admit, I've neveer heard of or experienced such a thing on this site, except for clean moisture when people are sleeping in the cabin and / or a unvented combustion heater is being used inside the cabin.

Is there moisture inside the cabin from a leak to the rain water?

Such a leak would run downward into the cabin sole, and, then, during the day, heat from the sunshiine (we occasionally have some here in California) would evaporate some of the water, then it would cool on the first place to cool inside at night, which just might be the roof.

First thing I'd do is check for the leak. There may be more water in there than you're aware of.

Recently, some new boats have come home with leaking porous joints where the top and bottom haves of the hull are joined. Cathy Mae and Steve even got a new boat out of it!

Make sure the v-berth cushions and the cabin cushions are not mildewing.

I'd air it out and put an electric boat heater (or just an electric heater set to a low setting) placed down low in the cabin to drive the humidity out.

You'll have to vent the cabin a very small amount to give the moisture somewhere to go. Leave this set up on to keep things dry until you have figured out the cause and corrected it.

There are mildew controlling sprays that kill mold spores as well as bleach the material being sprayed, both made for marine use as well as general household use, but the Chlorox Bleach should really do it.

Are you sure it's mold? Could it be a algae (blue-green perhaps) that is growing on the roof with light coming through the windows and the moisture from inside?

Is the roof painted with Zolatone paint inside? It's a mixure of two different types of paints that gives a splattered two- tone effect and hides all the irregularities in the inside fiberglass layup surface which is usually somewhat rough. Could it be a different type of paint if not Zolatone that is yielding some residue as it ages?

Who did you buy the boat from? The Factory? Gunther's Outboards? The Outbboard Motor Mart? They also have an obligation to you, and the hull does have a warranty, 5 years I believe.

Will post more as it comes to mind!

Good Luck and keep us posted!

(This is my 1000th post!)

Joe.

Adeline · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:54 pm Post subject:

Dreamer · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:20 pm Post subject:

Joe, We've used the 100 watt boat warmers like those from West Marine. They work very well and use the same juice as a 100w bulb. Very safe unlike using a space heater. They are just warm enough to keep the air dry. We used two on a 40' trawler. A protected window left slightly open helps too.

Roger
[i]Dreamer

Flip · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:25 pm Post subject:

Thank you both. We do not keep the cushions on the boat. We did have clean moisture when we slept with the grandchildren on board but that was only once. We will look for a water leak tomorrow but haven't seen anything that indicates we have one. We will also have a closer look as to where the mosture is forming, time of day ect. I don't think it is algie, but not sure. I don't know what the interior is painted with but it has a splattred look and doesn't look like residue from age. Will also be looking into a heater and fan. Will keep you posted.

dogon dory · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:31 pm Post subject: Re: Help with mold

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

SEA3PO · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:33 pm Post subject:

I would be really careful about mildew..and mold....both bad stuff to have in an enclosed area, especially one you sleep in...
The answer is any clorine based cleaner... but that won't get into the areas that you can not see.

What you use is a OZONE GENERATOR ..... there not uncommon in the automotive industry... I have one.. it will remove mold spores in areas behind panels and in ducts... we use it to remove odors and smoke smell from cars....normally we just roll up the windows and leave the thing running on the front seat overnight and in the morning the heater/air conditioning blows clean smell free air...

Works like gangbusters in the house... gets rid of odors ... mildew and mold.

Joel
SEA3PO