[C320-list] Ventilation Best Practices

Tue Sep 23 16:18:48 PDT 2008

Hello Martin,

The best advice I received and applied is to keep a dry bilge whenever
practical, especially when away from the boat for an extended period of
time.

We sail Lake Erie, where we experience a storage season that may be nearly
as long as the sailing season and experience extreme humidity in the summer
and many inches of snow in the winter with the opportunity for condensation
to create mold and mildew problems in the summer and over the storage
season.

For a dry bilge I use flax packing (West Marine) impregnated with a
lubricant and also coat the packing and shaft (stainless steel) with packing
lubricant at before each launch season and re-tighten the packing. I have a
dry bilge with only a small amount of dampness seeping from the packing
gland.  I have had to add a ring of lubed packing every 4-6 years and have
had a dry bilge ever since. Shaft alignment is the key to reduced packing
wear and reduced water in the bilge over time.

Next, I check to make sure that there is no water collecting under the cabin
sole.  On my older model I had to cut removal sections of the sole near the
galley on my 95 model so I may check the inspection port into the hull to
see below the liner as water may enter the cabin and may find its way below
the liner if the hatches are left open by accident during a downpour. On my
older model with a shallow bilge I have had to block off the bilge beyond
the bilge pump area with no problems and do check for any moisture from the
keel section and the forward area where the speed and depth thru-hull
transducers are located.

Lastly, I vent the AC condensate overboard and remove any remaining
condensate with a fuel line bulb pump attached to a plastic tube positioned
to the lowest section of the AC condensate pan so that there is no water
left in the pan after we are under way or after we leave the boat for the
weekend.

We also leave the head door propped open with a bungee cord while away for
extended time.

Lastly, consider how the boat is stored for the winter season. I have found
that if I keep a poly tarp over the all hatches and port lights, including
the companion way hatch boards, I have no problems with moisture as we store
the boat outside with the mast up. I also allow the air to flow via the
stern bilge vents if I shift the aft cabin foam mattress and boards so as to
allow air flow from the stern vents to equalize the air temperature reducing
condensation in the cabin. All seat cushions are also left in a vertical
position while in storage to allow air to circulate.

After 14 seasons I have not experienced any mold or mildew. The boat still
has a fresh boat smell!

Rick

My-Ria
Hull # 277   

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan S. Field
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 9:39 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Ventilation Best Practices

Martin - Welcome to the List and especially to one fine boat.  We expect you
will get many years of enjoyment from your C320, much like the rest of us!

Keeping the moisture levels in check below decks is something I am almost
fanatical about.  This is based on not being fanatical with my first
boat...but that's another story.  Suffice to say that I still am shocked
that Linda still married me given the condition of that boat!

The first thing we did was to put Nicro vents in the forward and
mid-hatches.  The vents we have run 24/7 by solar re-charging of the
batteries.  The fan blades are set such that the forward vent pulls air in
and the mid takes it out.  These little fans move a surprising amount of
air.  I think that this is the number one moisture control tactic one can
take.

All things wet, such as towels and wash cloths, go home with us when we
leave the boat after a weekend.  We put rubber drain mats over all 3 of the
sink openings - 2 in the galley, one in the head.  Since we run A/C and the
condensate line drains to the bilge, we empty the bilge by using a wet vac
and then paper towels.  We hang a bag of Damp Rid over the galley sink (if
the thing breaks, which one did, you want the water falling into the sink).
While we leave water in the toilet, we put a large cup with a rounded bottom
in the toilet over the water.  For the head, we run a small plug-in ozone
generator when away.

What I have not yet done is to cut a hole in the head door and place a
louvered grate in the hole so that we can get air circulation in the head.
Some on the list prop the door open when they leave but I have been
reluctant to do this given the violence of some of our northeasters and how
much the boat thrashes around in the slip during one of these.

Other techniques which we have not done include placing air coils under the
bunks, propping the cushions up when leaving, and leaving all drawers open
when leaving.  There also is a way to use our A/C to cycle every 30 minutes
and take humidity out of the air but again, we don't do this as I am
reluctant to leave the A/C on while away.

Despite all this, boats are in a wet, damp, humid environment and are going
to pick up moisture and inevitable odors down below.  At least once per
year, a very thorough cleaning down below with a bleach type product will
keep the mold and mildew in check.  After 7 years of owning Sea Shadow, her
"boat breath", what hits you when you open the main hatch after being away
for a week, is manageable.

Hope this helps.

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Martin Bayly
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 11:23 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Ventilation Best Practices

Hey C320 Owners

Very proud and excited this weekend to join your throng.  Got the keys for
my first boat which is a 2005 320, hull #1023, Serendipity.

We're at Bowen Island, near Vancouver, BC Canada.  Anticipating many years
of fun family cruising.

But anyway first question, of which I'm sure there will be many, as even
though I sailed for many years with my family when I was a kid, still most
definitely a newbie at being skipper!

As may be well known, given the comments over the last few days regarding
sailing in Puget Sound, we have lots of moisture up here in the North West
and so I'm wondering whether I should be concerned about the lack of
apparent inbuilt ventilation in the Catalina 320.  The boat is basically 4
years old and still surprisingly fresh smelling given I don't think it's
been used much to date.  

However, from what I've read the best way to combat mildew is by keeping the
temperature in the interior similar to the exterior through good ventilation
and by ensuring the air continues to circulate and exchange.    However, my
320 doesn't seem to have any ventilation other than a 3 " by 1/2 " slot in
the main hatch boards.  The current owners have a couple of West Marine Air
Dryer Dehumidifiers (see link below), but the guy who runs the marina
suggested that they may do more harm than good if they warm the internal air
too much.

So interested in people's experiences and best practices for keeping the
mildew at bay and the air flowing sweetly.

West Marine Dehumidifier:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/
245832/377%20710%201663/0/Dehumidifiers,%20Air%20Purifiers/Primary%20Search/
mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%201663
<http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001
/245832/377%20710%201663/0/Dehumidifiers,%20Air%20Purifiers/Primary%20Search
/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%201663&Ne=0&Ntt=Dehumidifiers,%20Air
%20Purifiers&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenU
RL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=12&classNum=380>
&Ne=0&Ntt=Dehumidifiers,%20Air%20Purifiers&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=C
ategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=12&classNum=3
80

Cheers

Martin Bayly

Serendipity #1023