Window Condensation

[christhefish]

After living aboard in the UK for the last 4 years I find my biggest problem is condensation on the windows.we have a 36 foot motorsailor with a large wheelhouse which we can keep warm,but the windows run with condensation even though we have outer covers which we also line with bubble wrap during the colder months.When the reflek heater is on or the dehumidifier no problem but this time of year when we get big temp variations its lots worse.does anyone have any ideas?????? im sure this must have been discussed before,

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, christhefish.

Ventilation!
Exhaust all cooking and bathing sources of humidity to the outside. Breathing, cooking, showering all release huge amounts of moisture into the air.
Direct Vent cooking/heating appliances.
Direct a fan at the offending windows, and/or even open windows a little
Etc...

[christhefish]

we run fans and open hatches im paranoid after boiling the kettle I put cold water back in straight away.I was wondering if I could prehaps paint the ally frames or some kind of plastic lacquer spray?????anyone tried this?????

[GeoPowers]

Three prong attack of ventilation, dehumidifier, and limit most (ahem) "high humidity activities" (cooking pasta, long hot showers, and so on.)
Frank

[Pete7]

Chris, how about secondary double glazing the windows in addition the above. Doesn't need to be permanent.

Pete

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Chris, how about secondary double glazing the windows in addition the above. Doesn't need to be permanent.

Pete

Second that!

[thinwater]

Storm windows!

Sail Delmarva: A Few More PDQ Upgrades

Though I don't live aboard I do cruise in the winter, and covers stopped the drips and made the temperatures more uniform. Not difficult, but many different possibilities I'm sure.

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

Dehumidifier Recommendations? Ones that are BUILT to Last and easy to clean??

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

Where do people typically install a dehumidifier? The "Mermaid Dry-Pal Dehumidifier" specs are 14.75" L x 13.25" W x 7.5" H--- that is CHUNKY box to just strap to the ceiling etc... Need some advice from all you older SALTS out there... Teach me something GOOGLE cannot....

[john540]

We have a portable Soleus dehumidifier. It gets in the way, but we move it to where it's needed.

[john540]

Originally Posted by john540

We have a portable Soleus dehumidifier. It gets in the way, but we move it to where it's needed.

We've had it for about 6 years, often running it every day. I think we got it from Amazon.

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

Dehumidifier Pint Size needed per foot of boat?

[wsmurdoch]

Originally Posted by john540

We have a portable Soleus dehumidifier. It gets in the way, but we move it to where it's needed.

Many Soleus dehumidifiers have been recalled.
Soleus Air dehumidifiers pulled from stores and our Ratings

[thinwater]

What size? Boat size is a minor factor.

• Leaks? Dry bilge?
• Live-aboard or weekends?
• How many people on-board?

If the boat is relatively dry (no leaks) thermopile units can be very cost effective, light, and dependable.


Sail Delmarva: Dehumidifier vs Desicant


If you live-aboard with a family in a rainy climate a compressor type makes sense, about the smallest you can find (if too large it will generate too much heat and be inefficient).


I've used both, each in its place.

[michaelmrc]

2nd the storm window covering. i did my boat this year and immediately noticed a big improvement in drafts and window condensation.
simple to install and cheap definitely worth trying.