Cockpit mold/mildew

[mquiet]

Can someone help, I seem to get a lot of mold/mildew in the cockpit due to the high heat and humidity of NC. I just cleaned the canvas and I can see it rebuilding after only a couple of weeks and I have noticed that my vinyl seats are starting to turn a orange/yellow look that I can not remove with anything. I would love to hear about a treatment for the seats and how to prevent buildup during the week while the boat is buttoned up. Thanks.

 

[BigBoysToys]

For starters, I would find a way to add airflow when the cover is on. They make a solar fan that installs through the canvas that will continuously circulate air. You could also try adding some damp rid buckets to absorb the moisture. As for treatment of the existing mold, I'm sure you'll get plenty of posts here from others that have used products with great success. It does surprise me that you're having such a problem though. I would want to make sure that there's not some other source of all that moisture.

 

[mistercomputerman]

Heavy cleaning for stubborn stains and mildew


Sunbrella fabric does not promote mildew growth, however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. To clean mildew, or other stubborn stains:
•Eight ounces (one cup) of chlorine bleach.
•Two ounces (1/4 cup) of mild detergent.
•One gallon of water.
•Clean with soft bristle brush.
•Allow mixture to soak into the fabric for up to 15 minutes.
•Rinse thoroughly until all detergent residue is removed.
•Air dry.
•Repeat if necessary.
•Re-treatment of fabric for water and stain resistance will be necessary.

http://www.sunbrella.com/en/how/cleaning/marine-tops-covers.php

 

[SteveRuss]

And make sure you put the cover back on the boat right after cleaning while it is still wet or you will have a heck of a time trying to stretch it to get it back on after it is dry.

 

[dcharna]

I had the same problem on an older boat I owned and air flow is the trick. Everyone thinks the canvas needs to be completely tight. I opened some air spaces around the support poles and other strategic locations and it did the trick. I have never used the fan that Big Boy Toys suggested but would think that as long as you are bringing in outside air, that would work.

Dan

 

[JVM225]

I too have the problem.
I had a couple of screen panels made up to replace the eisenglass side ones and I put them in during the hotter times. The downside is that parts of the cockpit get a little wet when it rains, but the upside is that the air flows through the cockpit under the canvas and I don't get the mold and mildew when the screens are in.
When I do have a problem I take the sections of canvas to a laundromat and put them in seperate machines with laundry detergent and a cup of chlorone bleach. They come out like new. These sections of canvas don't have any plastic windows of any kind in them though.
I try to pick a nice day to do it. When they come out of the machines I take them back to the dock and hang them over the fence to dry. Once dry, I re-waterproof them with 303.
For the in-between cleanings I stretch the sections out on the ground, soak with water, then scrub with a medium bristle brush and Tilex, then rinse.
I find that I don't need to re-waterproof after these lighter cleanings so I put the canvas back up when it's still wet.
Putting it up after it is dry is a pain, but can be done with patience as long as you resigne yourself to the fact that you probably are 't going to get all the snaps the first time around and are willing to come back later after the sun stretches it to finish the rest of the snaps.

 

[tgalloway]

If you have dockside power and assuming the cover is on - I run a small dehumidifier in the cockpit. Have to dump it every two weeks but since I started not a bit of mildew anywhere and it smells great when you pop the top. If you skip a week it will automatically cut off when full and the extra week is no big deal. I leave my cabin a/c on about 80 in summer and 55 in the winter. My bill is never over $35. I had to clean the mildew the first time but it never returned.

 

[IanBat]

If you have dockside power and assuming the cover is on - I run a small dehumidifier in the cockpit. Have to dump it every two weeks but since I started not a bit of mildew anywhere and it smells great when you pop the top. If you skip a week it will automatically cut off when full and the extra week is no big deal. I leave my cabin a/c on about 80 in summer and 55 in the winter. My bill is never over $35. I had to clean the mildew the first time but it never returned.

Ditto to this. Mine comes on twice a day for 2 hours, i empty mine about once a week

 

[Robski97]

Kanberra Gel works great .... Google it

Rob

 

[mquiet]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I am going to try the dehumidifier first and use the Kanberra Gel with it. I will take the top canvas cover off and clean again, and cross my fingers.