covering my boat question

[Learpilot2]

I have a 215 express cruiser that i keep outside and covered. I bought a cover that fell apart in about 2 years.

The problem I keep having is mold all through the boat and on the underside of the cover.

I wait till the boat is dry. I use lots of rid X jars.

I cut a hole in the cover and installed one vent. That did nothing.

I just cant keep the mold and mildew off the underside of the cover and all over the interior.

What do I use to clean the mildew off the interior and seats?

I really dont want to buy the same cover, and keep having the mildew problem.

Should I just leave it uncovered in the storage lot?

Should I find a indoor storage locker for it?

I heard of people just putting a home depot tarp over it, and securing with bungie cords. Way cheaper than covers from west marine.

Any ideas?

thanks
rick

 

[northern]

ventalation keeps mold down on my 21 footer.
i use a shrink cover that has vents in it. i do not shrink it and it is still good after 4 years of use. i tie it well around the bottom.

 

[EDMAN]

I have the same boat a '99' I still use the original sunbrella cover and throw a blue tarp over it.
Works ok. I have gotten some wear from the tarp rubbing. Last year I tried to reuse the tarp from the prior year and that coupled with the warm wet spring we had I had mildew for the first time. It was nasty this spring. bleach

 

[N369RM]

If you have access to a power cord or shore power, you can buy heaters that are designed to keep mold from forming.

These do not have fans but work by convection heat and the air just slowly circulates. They run 24/7 and use very little power and do not get very hot.

West Marine sells these for about $75. You can buy the same thing online for about $49. It looks idential except the West Marine logo.

http://www.amazon.com/Davis-Instrum...=1349660562&sr=8-2&keywords=dehumidifier+boat

http://catalogs.westmarine.com/WebProject.asp?CodeId=7.7.1.4&BookCode=wmm12&pagelabel=528

I have 2 boats. One a 22 foot Chris Craft and the boat is covered with the heater located in the center on the floor.

On my 270DA I have 2 of these, one in the cabin and one in the cockpit under the tow cover.

Had these for 6 months and so far so good.

Before, I has sever mold issues, so I am hoping this will work.

Ron Mason

 

[pbar34]

That happened to my 20' Glastron years ago. What a nightmare cleaning all the mold/mildew. I was using a heavy canvas cover when it happened. I threw the canvas away and had a Sunbrella cover made and have never had the mold/mildew show up again. Sunbrella material breaths much better than the heavy canvas. Good luck!

Phil B.