I sail off coastal British Columbia, a temperate rainforest. It's probably not unlike the Broads in winter. Sailors in both regions have the experience, whether good or bad, of dealing with condensation. Although it may seem counterintuitive, there are distinct advantages in having cold weather all around us when the rain goes on for weeks and weeks without a break. One obvious advantage is that heat requires only primitive technology to produce. Cooling is more difficult, especially in humid conditions. The other major advantage is that cold air holds less moisture than warm air. This means that, if you can warm the outside air by even a couple of degrees, it will be able to absorb moisture. You just have to bring it on board, warm it, circulate it and exhaust it back outside. All types of combustion produce water as a byproduct. That's one reason why we need to vent combustion gases off the boat. The other reason, of course, is that those gases are not good to breathe, and ironically that's why toxic fuels tend to make better heating on board, because those heat sources are vented. Cookers that produce nontoxic gases, from propane or alcohol, for example, might not be vented. Candles and paraffin lamps certainly won't be. They will be adding water vapor to the air belowdecks, and there's not much to do except open a hatch and try to let that air escape. All said, if you want a dry boat belowdecks, the main thing to do is bring cool air in, warm it even slightly, circulate it effectively, and exhaust it. The colder the weather, the better this works. On my uninsulated wooden boat, I can get hoarfrost on the cabin overhead to sublimate and disappear when the cabin is only 10 degrees. That much warming of the air - from below zero to 10C - is remarkably effective at reducing its relative humidity. Of course, insulation is nice too, but it's a source of real trouble if moisture can condense behind it. Sometimes it's better to do without. Bedding is a special case of the same insulation issue. The immediate remedy is to turn your mattresses over every day. It helps also to fit a layer of high density closed cell foam in the bunks under them. This helps to reduce the temperature gradient and thus the condensation, but you still have to turn the mattresses. Loose bedding seems to be much less of an issue, provided that the cabin air is reasonably dry, but it's wise to air it periodically, if only by bringing it out and refolding it periodically. You can stow it in lidded containers provided that it's bone dry. Stowing it with a packet of silica gel is a useful safeguard. Just remember to dry out the gel periodically by warming it gently. Take care not to scorch it. Also please don't eat it. For some reason this last bit of advice has to be repeated. As if anyone would try to eat it! It tastes terrible.
Almost no sound... For holiday makers just put a bowl with an inch of cheap (59p) salt in it & by the morning it goes hard as it absorbs moisture... Cheap & easy way to do it if your there short term.. 59p should last you your holiday...use more bowls & salt if on a bigger boat...change salt when it goes hard.
Subtitles are available by turning on captions. I use salt even for drying out tricky bits for painting like bilges, it's so cheap and does what it says on the tin.
I sail off coastal British Columbia, a temperate rainforest. It's probably not unlike the Broads in winter. Sailors in both regions have the experience, whether good or bad, of dealing with condensation.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, there are distinct advantages in having cold weather all around us when the rain goes on for weeks and weeks without a break. One obvious advantage is that heat requires only primitive technology to produce. Cooling is more difficult, especially in humid conditions. The other major advantage is that cold air holds less moisture than warm air. This means that, if you can warm the outside air by even a couple of degrees, it will be able to absorb moisture. You just have to bring it on board, warm it, circulate it and exhaust it back outside.
All types of combustion produce water as a byproduct. That's one reason why we need to vent combustion gases off the boat. The other reason, of course, is that those gases are not good to breathe, and ironically that's why toxic fuels tend to make better heating on board, because those heat sources are vented. Cookers that produce nontoxic gases, from propane or alcohol, for example, might not be vented. Candles and paraffin lamps certainly won't be. They will be adding water vapor to the air belowdecks, and there's not much to do except open a hatch and try to let that air escape.
All said, if you want a dry boat belowdecks, the main thing to do is bring cool air in, warm it even slightly, circulate it effectively, and exhaust it. The colder the weather, the better this works. On my uninsulated wooden boat, I can get hoarfrost on the cabin overhead to sublimate and disappear when the cabin is only 10 degrees. That much warming of the air - from below zero to 10C - is remarkably effective at reducing its relative humidity.
Of course, insulation is nice too, but it's a source of real trouble if moisture can condense behind it. Sometimes it's better to do without.
Bedding is a special case of the same insulation issue. The immediate remedy is to turn your mattresses over every day. It helps also to fit a layer of high density closed cell foam in the bunks under them. This helps to reduce the temperature gradient and thus the condensation, but you still have to turn the mattresses.
Loose bedding seems to be much less of an issue, provided that the cabin air is reasonably dry, but it's wise to air it periodically, if only by bringing it out and refolding it periodically. You can stow it in lidded containers provided that it's bone dry. Stowing it with a packet of silica gel is a useful safeguard. Just remember to dry out the gel periodically by warming it gently. Take care not to scorch it. Also please don't eat it. For some reason this last bit of advice has to be repeated. As if anyone would try to eat it! It tastes terrible.
Thank you for your advice, really useful informative videos. Thank you.
Bad sound, good info.
Very interesting.im going to get some.thanks.
I enjoy watching your vlog, but your audio is not good. Time to get an external mic.
What type of device are you watching on?
Sailing High Seas - Norfolk Broads Macbook, iPhone &/or iPad
Almost no sound...
For holiday makers just put a bowl with an inch of cheap (59p) salt in it & by the morning it goes hard as it absorbs moisture...
Cheap & easy way to do it if your there short term..
59p should last you your holiday...use more bowls & salt if on a bigger boat...change salt when it goes hard.
Subtitles are available by turning on captions. I use salt even for drying out tricky bits for painting like bilges, it's so cheap and does what it says on the tin.
Hi there, great videos keep them coming, my grandfather used to use cat litter, placed around his boat, and renewed when required.