With winter fast approaching I'm trying to do as many things as I can to avoid a bigger project in the spring. Both of my hulls are wet on the inside. The cat sat for 17 years before I Picked it up. Obviously I pulled the drain plugs and opened the inspection posts. about 1-2 inches of water in there and a very musty smell with some black mold I'd assume on the inside. I've kept the ports open and it seems to be better in there but was wondering if sealing them back up and putting one of those small chemical damp rid containers in there would make sense. The hulls feel much drier now and aren't damp to the touch so I'm not sure to worry about it or just seal it up for the winter with the plugs out and ports on ?
Source of the water as far as I can tell is the deck plates one is original from what I can tell and the other has been replaced...but again they are 17 years old. I may try to replace the ports before it gets too cold to silicone
BobCatNJ,
Mix up a couple of gallons of a weak vinegar solution (2 tablespoons per gallon) in a bucket and pour it in your hulls after you put the drain plugs back in. Rock the trailer/cat back and forth to spread the vinegar around inside the hulls and let it set for a couple of hours. Drain the vinegar out by tipping the boat back and let air dry for as long as weather permits. Once it gets cold, seal the hulls back up for the winter and at the first sign of spring open them back up to let them air again. Keep an eye out for bees and other nesting critters.
Sheet In!
i store my boat winter/summer like this, ports off, bows up, with some 1/8' line hanging out the drain holes to wick out any rain/moisture. i always rinse out the inside of the hulls after sailing as well as the whole boat...try not to let salt live on it. if you seal up the hulls they will condensate and get funky.
Edited by coastrat on Nov 15, 2011 - 01:12 PM.
coastrat
That is a good idea! I'm going to have to remember to do that with mine.
coastrat wrote:
i store my boat winter/summer like this, ports off, bows up, with some 1/8' line hanging out the drain holes to wick out any rain/moisture. i always rinse out the inside of the hulls after sailing as well as the whole boat...try not to let salt live on it. if you seal up the hulls they will condensate and get funky.Edited by coastrat on Nov 15, 2011 - 01:12 PM.