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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Mold and Mildew after the Winter Season

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/26/2013 : 07:33:53

So.. what we have here is a winter of rain. The lake came up 10 feet. It rained every three days for the last two months. And my deadlight leaks, so it looks like it's gonna be a moldy beginning to the new season. I've got to gear up to wiping down the inside of the whole boat with some kind of bleach solution and open it up to dry it out.

A few years back I was a little loose with the bleach and made a few holes in the fabric. Not very bright....

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 07:55:55

If you are stored on the hard with electric, can you plug in and dry the boat out with a small heater, better dehumidifier?

If you can get to it now, and cover JUST the deadlights with a tarp, but don't have electrical, you could try damp-rid.

As for removing the mildew... you can use a 50/50 solution in a spray bottle, it helps to keep you from pooling up nasty stuff and ruining upholstery.

I used to use a 100Watt utility bulb on an electrical cord to keep it dry below, but then my boat was 30 feet outside my front door. I also tarped over the whole boat (which is a real PITA when you get 2 feet of snow).

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 08:57:57

Wet slip without power.

50/50 is kinda harsh. Not sure my corneas or lungs would hold up to that..

I may go 10/90 Bleach/Water. Always looking for a store bought product that I might like more.

Simple Green is good for cleaning to me.. I like the smell, but I think it is pretty much just a soapy emulsion.

Edited by - redeye on 02/26/2013 08:58:35

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 09:01:38

Sorry mildew is my enemy I attack it with fervor... yep, it's miserable, but then I don't use a lot either. If its wet enough to create the mold then spraying more water onto it isn't really necessary.

I am also big on chlorox cleanup. I swear that stuff cleans everything. Again, it'll eat right through clothes.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 09:06:34

I put one of these in my boat every fall when I go on the hard (click the pic for link):

<center>[url="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=17732404"]

[/url]</center>

I also put a temp/humidity gauge with memory on the boat to monitor things. It never got above 60% RH all winter.

It's worked so well that this year I just left the cushions on the boat. No need to pull them out.

You might want to keep this in mind for next year.

Edited by - TakeFive on 02/26/2013 09:07:01

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 09:49:49

sooo... The preacher said... Oh Hell.. you don't want to go there.. It's hot... I mean it's so Hot.. Hot I tell ya..

and humid.

Welcome South Brother...

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 09:57:17

I just use Clorox Cleanup, a bucket of water and a sponge. Spray on the Clorox, wipe down with sponge...rinse sponge in bucket. Really good cleaning, smells fresh, advantages of bleach....without overpowering your lungs.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 10:23:07

We wipe down the insides of JD with Clorox Cleanup wipes.

The Admiral (CCRN) does not allow aerosolizing bleach on board the boat!

We buy the triple packs of the cleanups and don't get stinghy with them.

Paul

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 11:42:32

<< Clorox Cleanup wipes >>

Sweet.. I gotta try that.....sounds like a good delivery system for bleach.

Every time I use that SunIn on my hair it feels like an attempt at a homemade cure for TB... ( Cough )

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 11:51:37

http://www.llsc.com/

Is that a gray day or what.... 95% humidity

Edited by - redeye on 02/26/2013 11:52:32

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 12:47:33

I've used Bab-O Gel with a big sponge (contains bleach) on the cabin interior surfaces to get rid of mildew. It doesn't run or drip because it has thickeners. I find it about as convenient as possible for that annoying job.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 15:21:18

Dilute is good. It's kind of a bizarre suggestion, but I take the cushions out before the bleach comes out.

Edited by - on

TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2013 : 04:15:27

I use marine spray nine vice a bleach solution below decks. Also started using kanberry tea tree oil, so far it seems to be working. The real test will be this summer.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2013 : 06:20:18

This is 1/3 of the cleaning products on the never ending shelves.

So... I go to the Flagship Home Depo which is next to where I work and get some Clorox Wipes and begin looking for another cleaning product and the first product I pick up says "Bleach Alternative" but the back reads "do not use with bleach" and then I just go into brain lock.

So Many Choices and I just lose it. Never did see the Kanberry tea tree oil... I'm beginning to hate marketing.

Edited by - redeye on 02/27/2013 06:21:17

trptelf
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2013 : 19:11:34

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes do not contain bleach. Thank goodness. I found this out after accidentally spilling what was left in the container on one of my navy cushions. No problem as they do not contain bleach. I use them all over the interior.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2013 : 20:38:34

Ray,you guys are fortunate to get that 10 ft rise in lake level. It will help come summer. If you have a home carpet cleaner with a wand attachment, take the cushions home, put a 10/90 bleach/water solution in the clean water tank and run the wand lightly over your cushions and let them dry. While the cushions are out, wipe down the interior of the boat and let it air out/dry. Then put in 2 buckets of Damp-Rid.

Edited by - on

TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2013 : 04:14:11

Ray, here a link to Kanberra

http://www.kanberragel.com/kanberragel.php

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 03:46:02

Thank You Paul ( and others ) and tell the ccrn thanks for me.. the clorox wipes rock. Much easier than adding/spraying a solution and then trying to clean up the mess...

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 04:32:11

We get the Triple pack every time

, if they sold them in 6packs... happiness!

Paul

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 07:57:35

Ordinary white vinegar works very well on mold & mildew - no residual smell either (and it's dirt cheap!)

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 12:28:01

Derek: Have you tried it on the black spot mildew that shows up on decks? That's a big problem here in Seattle, and I'd prefer to use a cleaner that doesn't contain bleach (not great for gelcoat) or buy/borrow/rent a power washer.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 13:06:53

We use a powerwasher on the outside and a pump/spray (like for spot treating lawns) inside. So far so good.

Only caveats are that the powerwasher will eat your teak if you don't protect it.

This spring I am doing hte scrub-brush thing on the exterior and hope to get the decks waxed before launch. Dunno how else to treat chalky gel coat up there. Only other alternative is the non-skid cleaner that didn't do much last time.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 15:03:26

Alex - are you sure that those black spots are not spider poop? That's the cause of them on my boat. The only thing I've found that works is Chlorox Clean-Up and a good scrub.
For a chalky oxidized hull, the best product, bar none, is PolyPrep followed by 5 coats of PolyGlow - great shine and needs a new coat every year or two. No power buffing, just wipe on and let dry.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5430 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 18:02:00

Polyglo is back on my to do list again. But make sure the stains and spots (and oxidation) are completely gone or you'll memorialize them under the polyglo. I've had good luck with deck cleaner with PTFE for the cabintop and decks. Less dangerous than waxing and buffing.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2013 : 18:31:39

Yeah, I'm sure it isn't spider poop. Spider season around here is August. The black dot mildew is really common in Seattle, you'll see it on most boats if you look.

The fiberglass on my Pearson isn't chalky, it is in pretty good shape. The Catalina is a bit chalky and has way more black mildew spots.

I'll try the vinegar and report back.

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