Dehumidifier for cabin

[boater2065]

I'm looking into a dehumidifer for the new boat. Last thing i want is a damp stinky cabin. I've seen some decent looking products out there, everything from plug in types to crystal absorbing types. I'm curious what other folks are using in their boats? I could see pro's and cons for each of these types of units. One downfall i see with the plug in types, is when the reservoir fills with water, you'd have to dump it or it turns off. When the boat sits for a long time with no one on board, this would be annoying. Another thought i had was, do they make a unit like this that can drain through a tube that you can place in the sink, instead of a reservoir? Just thinking out loud here and would love to get thoughts from people who have used these.

Cheers

 

[Little Ducky]

Is your boat wet slipped?

I just use the dehumidifier feature built into the cruise air unit on the boat when I'm away from the boat.

It runs on a pre-programmed schedule and keeps the boat nice and dry.

 

[boater2065]

@Little Ducky Yes it is wet slipped. However, this "new" boat is not new and doesn't have a dehumidifier in it.

 

[Little Ducky]

@Little Ducky Yes it is wet slipped. However, this "new" boat is not new and doesn't have a dehumidifier in it.

Bummer.

I see Lowes has a few table top dehumidifiers on their web site........ might need to modify the reservoir and add a hose attachment.

 

[bbwhitejr]

We had an '06 260DA and kept 3-Damp Rid containers in the cabin and, during the summer, a small fan running to circulate air. Never had an issue.

Bennett

 

[boater2065]

@bbwhitejr What size damp rids did you use?

 

[bbwhitejr]

One of the 2.5 pound big ones and 2 of the 10.5 ounce. Any size fan to just move a little air and done. In the south, the humidity in the summer can be brutal. I tried the hanging style damp rid from the hatch, but I always worried about it leaking so I trashed it and that idea. You will be amazed at the water it pulls from the air. Just dump when necessary and buy the refill paks of the granuales.

Bennett

 

[boater2065]

Thanks for the info. I might try that idea first. I'm in the northwest, where we get lots of moisture in the air. I'll be getting a covered slip come fall time and will try this out. I have the full canvas enclosure that i'll leave on under the covered slip. I would assume using some of these on the main deck of the boat under the canvas would help as well?

 

[susanandlance]

Screw those damp rid things, go to defender.com or west marine and buy a 110 electric one, nothing to dump, plug in and your good to go!!

 

[susanandlance]

I run two of them in my boat and did in my last 3 searays, never a problem, works like a champ

 

[susanandlance]

59$ a piece at defender.com, get the brown colored one as its the best I've seen, Davis Instruments is the brand name, I've also had luck with the silver colored ones for 10$ more a piece at defender.com

 

[boater2065]

@susanandlance Thanks for that info. I like the idea of not having to dump water. I will do some research and maybe try these out too. Ideally i'd need two of them. One for the cabin and one for the main deck under the canvas enclosure.

 

[Third Edition]

I have a small 110v dehumidifier that fits under the stairs when not in use. It's on a small box when on. The box gives it sufficient height to drain thru a hose into the shower. Nothing to drain. Ne wear & tear on the a/c.

 

[susanandlance]

@susanandlance Thanks for that info. I like the idea of not having to dump water. I will do some research and maybe try these out too. Ideally i'd need two of them. One for the cabin and one for the main deck under the canvas enclosure.

Get two of them and you can forget about the other suggestions, I'm in FL and there's not many places with more humidity than ours and I will never hang bags or dump water pans , there's no reason to

 

[Sublimetime]

Most medium size dehumidifiers come with a place to attach a hose onto and have them drain out directly. You can install the unit anywhere that is higher than an already existing drain and have no fear of having to dump water. If no drains you could send it to the shower drain/box or if all else fails to the bilge pump.

 

[Craig]

I use this and the dehumidifier function on the ac unit alternately. Works good if it gets really humid. Wrings the water out better than the ac.

Eva-Dry EDV4000 Dehumidifier, Rotary Desiccant

 

[The Bill Collector]

Amazon for under $50 and I drilled a hole in the reservoir, installed petcock and 18" of rubber hose that drains into the galley sink or into a gallon jug for distilled battery water...

 

[JVM225]

Here in the Northeast where it gets pretty humid in the summer I’ve found that a simple oscillating fan set up on the counter in the cabin moving air around does the trick.
I’ve got two of those round brown things that others have mentioned. I used them during the winter on my old boat when I stored it on my property and could stay plugged in all winter.
They work pretty well, but a simple and cheap fan works just as well.

 

[bbwhitejr]

Thanks for the info. I might try that idea first. I'm in the northwest, where we get lots of moisture in the air. I'll be getting a covered slip come fall time and will try this out. I have the full canvas enclosure that i'll leave on under the covered slip. I would assume using some of these on the main deck of the boat under the canvas would help as well?

Yes. I used to put my top up at times and put them in the cockpit. Here again, a fan to move a little air is a great help.

Bennett

 

[SkiPharmer]

get a small home humidifier and have the hose hook up and drain it in your your sink. I put it on the stove top and then in the closet when not in use.