Insulating Hatches

[ggray]

Whenever we are out on the boat in cooler weather, in the morning there is a good bit of condensation on the hatches, particularly on the aluminum frames.

I can't help thinking that covering the hatches (on the inside) with some of that thin film window insulation material would drastically reduce or even eliminate the dripping, and provide insulating value. My only concern would be if removing the securing tape in the spring proved difficult. Most likely the tape would be installed on the plastic trim around the frame.

Has anyone in cooler climes tried this?

[a64pilot]

We put these on the inside of RV vents, keeps heat out too
Vent Cushion - Intersource D10-146 - Fan and Vent Accessories - Camping World

[ggray]

Well, that's another way to skin the cat. I guess there is one standard size for those vents, so a boat hatch would need foam cut to fit.

[El Pinguino]

We have Lewmar hatches with the internal fly screens and simply wrap the fly screen in Clingfilm/foodwrap stuff. Works good as poor man's double glazing.

Sidewindows....same idea but use door draft excluder stuff to keep the clingfilm off the alloy frame and then tape the clingfilm to the surrounding cabin side... hope this makes sense. Photos to follow...

[thinwater]

If you have screens, make them into storm windows. Easy.

[Delancey]

Condensation? Do you liveaboard? Might consider ventilation or a dehumidifier to address the real problem directly rather than just fixing a symptom. Just a thought.

If you have it on the hatches you might have it elsewhere, like against the hull hidden behind cabinetry or furniture.

That said, nothing wrong with the window film trick. Various adhesive removers and solvents exist for use in the springtime. Test first.

[El Pinguino]

Half the secret is to keep cabin temp as close to ambient as you can handle... but 12*C inside and 2*C outside you will still have condensation on bare metal.... one trick I have seen is to screen off the galley at about cooktop height and vent that space direct to atmosphere... that was an italian boat where lots of pasta was being cooked.... reduces main cabin humidity quite a bit.

[Free Spirit HC33]

I cut pieces of 20 gauge clear window vinyl to make "storm windows" for my opening ports and hatches. Put them between the screen and the glass and get about an inch of air insulation. Windows don't fog up or drip unless it's way colder outside than in. No tape required, and you can still see out and have natural lighting.