Winter and Mildew

[MC X-15]

I am planning on shrink wrapping my boat this winter and storing it on my lift. It raises very high up and I will have the platform wrapped as well. My question is, would you guys suggest putting some sort of fan or dehumidifyer in the boat under the wrap to prevent mildew? . If thats the case do i have to have it plugged in all winter?? Or is there somethign better that you guys prefer, or do i not have to worry if its wrapped properly (which i assume it will be)

thanks for the help

[bigmac]

I believe strongly in the heater/fans, especially for a shrink-wrapped boat. I remember the look of surprise on my buddy's face while unwrapping his shrink-wrapped boat one spring. The mildew about about 1/8 inch thick EVERYWHERE.

Most shrink-wrappers will either include a couple of vents, or offer them as an option. Take the option for the vents, buy a Turboheater, and leave plugged in all winter - It draws about as much electricity as a 100-watt bulb. IMHO. If you have power down to the dock, you can also leave the battery in there and connected all winter too, as long as it's hooked up to a battery maintainer like a Battery Tender.

Turbo heater fan (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/245832/377%20710/0/turbo%20heater/Secondary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=turbo%20heater&Ntk=Secondary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=turbo%20heater&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=12&classNum=380)

Drywave heater (http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=71503&pdesc=Drywave_Air_Dryer&str=wave&merchID=1008&r=view)

[MC X-15]

BIG MAC, thanks i figured this much, i will talk to my shrink wrappers bc if i unwrapped my boat and had a 1/8 inch of mildew i would freak

[Jerseydave]

No trailer, MC X-15???

I'd think twice about leaving the boat on the lift all winter over salt water. Alot of corrosion can take place just by the exposure to salt air. If it were me, I'd move the boat inland a bit. Just my opinion.

[TX.X-30 fan]

Its not Thanksgiving is it :confused:

:D:D

[Maristar210]

I know you have your reasons for sure but your boat is way too nice to leave out like that.

You are not only affecting the boat but also its saleable resale. When someone askes

Ideally it is stored indoors in a heated storage unit
Secondly is would be stored indoors in place that is not heated with a concrete floor
Third would be indoors with a dirt floor
Fourth would be outside and shrink wrapped properly on a concrete pad
Fifth would be stored outside shrink wrapped properly on dirt
Sixth would be half *** shrinked wrapped stored anywhere
and last would be shirk wrapped and left on a lift over salt water.

I ain't no expert. It's your boat but I am just saying... can I have the hull ID?

[MC X-15]

Thanks for the input, I was nervous about leaving it on the lift and with all your posts i think ill look in to a heated place to keep the boat. And most likely looking into a trailer.

[88 PS190]

Sometimes it can make sense to check the marinas,

the one i used to work at had indoor storage (heated) for boats w/o trailers and lifted them up onto craddles floor to ceiling.
Not hideously expensive if you do the full deal (winterize, store, summerize/launch) all through them, by hideously i mean if you add up doing the work yourself for all those.

If you have the time to winterize and trailer, then do your spring time work and launch it then by all means get a trailer, and you'll pay less overall.

[Maristar210]

I think - re-thinking this is a very wise choice.

I wish you the best of luck. You have a great looking boat !!!!

[MC X-15]

Maybe just buying a trailer and sticking it in my garage is the best bet. Over a few yrs it will be cheaper then getting it wrapped every winter and then i can take my boat wherever i want whenever i want. I just hope it fits in the garage. Thanks again for all the help. I appreciate it very much.

and 88 ps190 my local marina/MC dealer does not have any indoor storage. just a lot theY stuff boats in.

[bigmac]

IMHO, unheated indoor storage with a cover is all that's necessary - certainly no need to shrink wrap. It gets cold here in Minnesota - all I do after winterizing is put on my boat's cockpit/tonneau cover, put a maintainer on the battery and a Turbo Heater on the boat floor and store it in my unheated metal storage shed. That's worked just fine for many, many years and I've certainly see no need for heated storage, even up here where -30 periodically during the winter is not uncommon. Don't forget the several packages of D-Con around the floor.

[MC X-15]

BIG MAC, That is what ill do i think, as long as i can fit it in my garage. It will be close but i think i can cram her in there.

[88 PS190]

I don't pay to store mine either, but one thing to prevent mildew I run a dehumidifier under the tarp for a week or two with the hose out the drain plug.

It pulls an amazing amount of water, even if the boat feels dry inside.