Boat Maintenance
Once boats are buttoned up in humid climates, the battle against mildew begins. Keeping humidity below 65 percent is adequate. (Photo courtesy of Mahina Expeditions, www.mahina.com)
Dehumidifier Field Tests
Dehumidifers, desiccants, heaters: What’s best on a boat?
When boats are buttoned up in humid climates, the battle against mildew begins. With the goal of keeping onboard humidity below 65 percent, we compared compressor dehumidifiers and thermo-electric dehumidifiers, two “active” systems for removing moisture, with passive-drying desiccants to determine which is best for keeping mildew at bay. The test products included the Eva-Dry 2000, a small, quiet thermo-electric dehumidifier; two compressor dehumidifiers, the Mermaid Dry-Pal and a Sears 30-pint; and two desiccants we’ve tested before, Damp Rid and Absorbag. The test platforms were an outside garden shed and a 32-foot catamaran moored on the Chesapeake.
More Boat Maintenance
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Anti-Mildew Weapons
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Mailport: June 2013
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Where Credit Is Due: May 2013
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Mailport: May 2013
— In regard to your review of portable seats (PS, March 2013): Be careful! We purchased a low-cost, but works-well... -
Where Credit Is Due: May 2013
— While replacing all of the halogen bulbs on my boat with LED bulbs, I accidentally broke the plastic lens of one of... -
Practical Sailor’s Semi-annual Bottom Paint Test Checkup
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Best Boat Soaps for Regular Washdowns
— Sticking to a regular boat bath regimen not only keeps a boat looking good, but it also helps protect it from... -
Mailport: January 2013
— I recently saw the October 2012 Chandlery review of the Bubi bottle (www.bubibottle.com) and ordered one. Despite... -
Where Credit is Due: January 2013
— I wanted to send PS an update regarding the Dutchman Boom Brake recall that PS announced in the May 2012 issue. First...
