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Trouble with MOLD

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Old Disco Queen
1st Mate

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USA
66 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/27/2011 : 14:30:38

Hey Fellas!

Didn't get Old Disco out last season (opened a new business), but did get to her last fall and found lots of "fauna & flora" in the bilge area (rain water had gotten in an "set" for all summer.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Stephen

Stephen J. Moore

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2011 : 15:56:48

Lysol and clorox have been mentioned to work. There are many green products out there, too.

Ventilation is the answer to avoid it happening again. Take your floorboards up next time you leave the boat for a long time.

You might also want to wipe the entire inside of the boat, since while mold may be present visually in the bilge, it could be all over the rest of the insides, too.

I'll bet if you do a search on "mold" you'll find lotsa handy reading (in addition to the molds for the boat itself). :)

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2011 : 18:06:28

Clorox annihilates mold and mildew! I used a mixture of it when detailing my boat when I first got it. You can spray it on and watch the stuff disappear.

I now keep a plastic bottle of Clorox Wipes in the boat. Run a wipe or two quickly over all the surfaces (roof, walls, under cushions) every once in a while and the mold/mildew will not be back.

For the bilge area and others (behind the cabinets, under the v berth, etc) I just made up a bit stronger mixture and sprayed it all over. No need to wipe it down, although I did clean out my bilge. That was a NASTY job. I don't think anyone had ever done it.

Edited by - on

Justincase
1st Mate

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Canada
49 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2011 : 18:22:53

I found that this worked awesome, cut through any mold and kept it away! #1 product in my cleaning bucket for the interior.

Edited by - on

jonfew346
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2011 : 12:07:42

White vinager and water is a natural, non toxic way of killing mold. My sailmaker(and his wife!) swear by it for sails, surfaces, and cushion foam.

Edited by - on

David Scott
1st Mate

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USA
74 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2011 : 10:25:08

VINAGER AND WATER IN SPAY BOTTLER WORKS REALLY GOOD. USED IT IN THE TROPICS BEFORE LEAVING THE BOAT FOR HURRICANE

SEASON AND AGAIN WHEN RETURNING. From the first mate

Edited by - on

Shauneen
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2011 : 19:06:18

While vinager may control mold I'm not sure it will kill all the spores lurking in the boat. I have found a 1-2 gallon pump sprayer, like you might use to apply spray to fruit trees very helpful. Make a strong solution of breach and water. Remove all cushions. Open all the lockers and other hidden spaces. Using the flexable wand sray liberally between the hull and liner. Try to coat all the surfaces you can. Aim to use 2-4 gallons of solution. Then spray all of the cabin surfaces. Be reallly carefull that you aren't overcome by the fumes, especially in the rear berth. Wipe dry but don't rinse. Use a shop vac to remove solution that collects from the bildge. Try Lysol or other mold treatment for the cushions. I'm sensitive to mold and was unable to spend a comfortable night on the boat until I started doing this each spring. I keep a mild solution of bleach and water to wipe down counters etc after each weekend.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2011 : 20:36:34

A strong bleach solution should not exceed 1 cup/gallon, and half that is probably more than enough. EPA on control of mold on areas greater than 10 sq. ft.: http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2011 : 20:45:10

24-7 ventilation is the only long-term preventative. A single Nicro solar vent, mounted anywhere in the cabin, keeps night-time cooling from developing the condensation that feeds mildew in the cabin. Nothing else solves the problem at its root cause--except continuous air conditioning, which is a whole different subject I can't relate to around my neck of the woods.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2011 : 05:42:55

I can attest to the Nicro solar vent. Since I replaced the broken one that came with the boat, I no longer need to first air out the boat when I open it up. Those things work great. Take your pick among the spray cleaners, Fantastick, 409, Lysol bath cleaner, X-19, they all do a good job cleaning the interior surfaces.
I'll spray, then wipe with a damp shop towel.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2011 : 04:34:37

I put in a nicro vent this weekend. Killed every battery operated drill I had, and ended up cutting out the hole with a hand rasp saw. Cleaned the forward compartment with soap and bleach and then waxed it.

Edited by - on

Tom Gauntt
Navigator

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204 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2011 : 05:11:58

As mentioned, moisture is the real culprit here. Try as best you can to stop water gathering in the bilge and the single biggest thing you can do to stop mold and mildew is to install a Nicro Day/Night fan somewhere in the boat. I installed mine in the head (two birds with one stone), and it has made all the difference. Nicro makes two versions, one solar (day only) and one solar/battery (day/night). Spend a few extra bucks and get the day/night model. Most of the moisture issues occur when the air cools at night (dew/condensation). Having that little fan running 24/7 cycles the complete volume of air inside the boat about once an hour.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 04:11:46

"LeeKey" leaky, is the name of my boat because it was evident water was getting in from the start, in spite of the previous owner describing the boat as a dry boat. No water in the bilge, but water getting in in many small places and she needed a "refit" to find some of those places.

Latest location is the front anchor locker, as water comes in the hatch it barely drains out the front hole and leaks into the boat during the path out that front drain and ends up near the front through hull.

Time to drill out that anchor locker hole and add a PVC tube and glass it all in. I wanna lay down another layer of fiberglass matt in the locker also.

Time to put some liquid boat life around the window seals also.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 05:26:44

Another project I've wanted to do is add a vent on the stern, to pull air out of the dumpster. I wanted to put a computer fan on the inside, inside a dorade box with a solar panel to power.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2011 : 06:08:58

Our nicro vent went in without hassle about 2 years ago. When you put it in be sure to cut the hole slightly oversized so you can fg the exposed wood and reseal the core.

A number of guys in our marina leave space heaters running in their boats through the summer to dry them out. Since our hydro at teh slips is not metered, they say running the heaters will improve air circulation and dry things out after a wet sail. I'm thinking I'll give it a try this year. My fear is that by doing that I'll create a steam bath that is conducive to mold, I am a litle nervous about trying it.

Edited by - on

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.