Shrink wrap anti-mold?

[Arminius]

If I shrink wrap it, what can I do to be sure there will be no mold in Spring? Is there a gadget like a space heater set on low with a periodic timer that I should cocoon with it?

 

[Shaps]

Try
https://www.amazon.com/DampRid-HI-Capacity-Moisture-Absorber-4-Pound/dp/B06ZXXLQTR/

 

[Express 390]

If I shrink wrap it, what can I do to be sure there will be no mold in Spring? Is there a gadget like a space heater set on low with a periodic timer that I should cocoon with it?

You put Damprid mildew bags under the shrink wrap you can pick them up in Home Depot , Ace , etc.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Vents also work wonders. You can use things specifically made as shrink wrap vents, or just cut a plastic deli cup and tape it over the hole.

 

[Espos4]

Airflow, Airflow, Airflow.

You need proper ventilation first and foremost.

 

[techmitch]

Airflow, Airflow, Airflow.

You need proper ventilation first and foremost.

+ 10 Here are a couple of choices.
https://www.amazon.com/Shrink-Stealth-Vent-Self-Piercing/dp/B01LX7OU19
https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Vent-Shrink-Wrap/dp/B077H3W4RG

 

[yobub]

I've been shrink wrapping our 24' runabout for about 5 years. I put 2-3 vents on each side of the boat, one each side in the bow, and then 1-2 each side in the main area of the cockpit. It is bone dry when we open it up in the spring.

We use the blue shrink wrap because it will heat up in the sun and help melt the snow, but I think it also heats up the interior, and creates air circulation.

You can use the damp rid products and in the Pacific Northwest maybe you have more rain and less snow, but I haven't needed anything on our boat. It is drier in the spring than day to day in the summer with the normal cover.

 

[Arminius]

Thank you. The vents are good. Years ago I regularly tarped a small cuddy and had mold problems. Found it was better to open it up inside, pulling cushions, opening cuddy deck vent, then including a small oscillating fan. I placed the fan on a timer to run about half the time. My tarps back then were piecemeal and probably did not exclude all moisture even if I had time to put it away dry. System of masts and lines created pitch to avoid rain puddling but shrink wrapping now looks good. Airflow remains important. I was hoping for a substitute for the oscillating fan with no exposed moving parts guaranteed to work w/o attention for 6 months and not jam up and start a fire.

 

[SteveRuss]

Mold has trouble growing if there is nothing for it to feed on. After removing all non-essentials and lifting all cushions to increase airflow, wipe down all surfaces with spray-nine which has anti-mold properties and then add the damp rids as stated earlier.

 

[GypsmJim]

Back in the olden days, the pundits chastised anyone for using a plastic tarp. Grandpa always used canvas. When shrink wrap came out, they said the same thing.

Sure, ventilation is 150% needed, but get a snow drift and the vents may get blocked. I've seen too many "quality" jobs with light mold in the Spring.

The stuff is expensive, but dry secure indoor storage isn't that much more (at least where we live)

 

[Arminius]

Got the snap cover on from towing and the mooring cover over that. The custom fits are great. As to a ventilating fan that will work all winter and not catch fire, I found a milk barn style space heater with a fan only setting. Probably plug the cord into an intermittent timer running in the morning hours.