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mildew control

Containing mildew on your boat is an ongoing battle with no definitive end.  As long as your boat is exposed to water, you’ll need to take measures to mitigate and slow the spread of mildew.  Particularly during periods of longer storage, mildew has a chance to spread throughout a cabin or engine room.  It’s not just an uncomfortable smell, though.  Mildew and mold can be unhealthy and toxic, so it is important to do what you can to eliminate them. 

Open Up the Hatches

Cowl VentOne of the best ways to prevent or mitigate the potential for mildew is by creating lots of ventilation on your boat.  In other words, open up the hatches and portholes.  Make sure you have vents (like cowls, dorades, louvered vents, clamshell vents or so on) that are connected to below-deck spaces for proper ventilation.  Inspect that those vents and the ducting are clear of debris.  There should be a clear path for fresh air to enter the interior spaces of the boat.  You can also ventilate smaller spaces like cupboards, lockers and so on.

Though they are more expensive than a typical passive cowl vent, a solar fan will keep air moving through the boat even when the boat is stationary or when there is no breeze.  Additionally, since these fans operate using solar energy, they can provide circulation even when shore power is not available for the vessel. 

Seal the Deal

Mildew is caused by the penetration of water into your boat.  Finding and repairing any leaks that may be allowing water into the interior of your boat will be a big step towards preventing mildew.  Inspect all the hardware on the hull and on the deck of the boat.  This can include all sorts of components like deck fills, thru-hulls, hatches, portholes, cleats, stanchions and more.  If you observe any rot or worn seals, these are excellent spots for water to penetrate and cause mildew problems, and you should repair these spots quickly.

Don’t Leave the Light On

No Damp DehumidifierFor years, many boaters have attempted to combat mildew by simply leaving electric lightbulbs on.  Heat and light can be effective at dehumidifying the space and slowing the growth of mildew, but leaving a lightbulb or a heater running on your unmanned boat can be a risky choice.  Many fires occur every year as the result of such efforts.   A better choice for dehumidifying spaces in the boat are chemical agents that contain calcium chloride.  There are some very effective chemicals available that are made specifically for the marine environment and do a great job of protecting a boat during longer storage periods.

Keep It Clean

Mildew Stain RemoverOnce you have observed that mold or mildew are present, the preventative measures listed above won’t be enough to stop its growth.  You’ll need to use some old fashioned elbow grease along with some strong cleaning chemicals to do the job.  Scrub the surfaces that exhibit mold with the cleaning agents thoroughly, and make sure you dry or air out the affected surfaces completely.  It’s likely that you will need to use a liberal amount of the cleaner to completely eliminate the fungus, so don’t be conservative with it!

Hopefully, by following the tips in this article, you can minimize the potential for mildew in your boat, especially during times when your vessel may be unattended for long periods.  If you ever have questions about how to best address a mold or mildew issue on your boat, please feel free to contact the experts at Marine Parts Source at (866)388-0390.