Kristian Ferrell
Mildew is a common problem for boat owners, as the nature of fiberglass, combined with dampness, warmth, and dim light, creates the perfect environment for its growth. While it is impossible to completely prevent mildew, there are several effective ways to combat it. Firstly, maintaining good ventilation and keeping the boat clean and dry are essential. Additionally, reducing interior humidity, using certain cleaning products, and sealing leaks can help inhibit mildew growth.
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What You'll Learn
Use a bleach or vinegar solution to clean mildew
Bleach and vinegar are common household products that can be used to clean mildew on boats. However, it is important to note that bleach does not kill mildew spores, but can remove mildew stains. To use bleach to clean mildew on your boat, create a diluted solution with water and spray it onto the affected area. After letting the solution sit for a few minutes, scrub the area with a brush and then rinse it thoroughly with fresh water. It is important to wear protective gear, such as rubber gloves and eye protection, when working with bleach. In addition, never mix bleach with ammonia as it can produce deadly chlorine gas.
On the other hand, vinegar is a natural and mild acid that can be used to clean mildew. To use vinegar, create a 50% solution with water and spray it onto the affected area. Let the solution sit for about an hour, and then scrub and rinse the area with fresh water. It is important to note that vinegar may not be effective in preventing mildew if it is rinsed off.
When using either bleach or vinegar solutions, proper ventilation is key. Open hatches and use fans to improve air circulation and speed up the drying process. Additionally, keep in mind that mildew thrives in damp and dark environments, so taking steps to reduce moisture and increase airflow will help prevent mildew growth in the future.
While bleach and vinegar can be effective in removing mildew, they may not be suitable for all surfaces. For example, bleach should not be used on vinyl, and vinegar may not be effective on certain types of fabric. Always test the solution on a small area first and follow any specific instructions provided by the boat manufacturer.
In addition to using bleach or vinegar solutions, there are other methods to prevent and remove mildew. Regular cleaning and airing out the boat can help inhibit mildew growth. Commercial mildew removers, such as Marine Spray Nine, are also available and can be effective in removing mildew from boats.
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Keep the boat well-ventilated
Mildew thrives in damp, dimly lit, and warm environments, and boats often provide the perfect conditions for its growth. To prevent mildew from taking over your fiberglass boat, it's essential to ensure proper ventilation. Here are some detailed tips to keep your boat well-ventilated:
Install Vents
Consider installing cowl-style ventilators or solar vents. Cowl-style vents are waterproof and force outside air into the cabin, helping to equalize the temperature. Solar vents, on the other hand, can be placed on hatches and run on solar power or electricity to promote air circulation inside the boat. These vents are an effective way to reduce the chances of mildew forming inside.
Open Hatches and Port Visors
Keep hatches and port visors open as much as possible, especially when the weather is dry. PortVisors are an excellent investment as they allow you to keep ports open even during light rain, ensuring a constant flow of fresh air.
Open Lockers and Compartments
Inside the boat, open lockers, drawers, and compartments to allow air to circulate freely. Prop up cushions and lift out floorboards to ventilate the bilge, as stagnant air in these enclosed spaces can promote mildew growth.
Use Fans
Utilize fans to improve air circulation, especially in areas that may not have natural airflow. Running fans periodically can help prevent the buildup of stale, damp air, which mildew thrives on.
Regularly Check and Clean
Periodically check your boat for any signs of mildew, especially in nooks and crannies. Combine this with regular cleaning to prevent the buildup of dirt and grime, which can provide an ideal environment for mildew to grow. Pay special attention to the insides of lockers and compartments, as these areas are often overlooked in the fight against mildew.
By following these ventilation and maintenance tips, you can significantly reduce the chances of mildew taking over your fiberglass boat. A well-ventilated boat is a key line of defense against mildew and will help keep your vessel in top condition.
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Reduce humidity with a dehumidifier
Mildew is a common problem for boat owners, as it thrives in damp, dimly lit, and warm environments. To prevent mildew from growing on your fiberglass boat, it is essential to reduce the humidity levels inside the boat. Here are some detailed tips to achieve this:
Use a Dehumidifier
If you have access to 110-volt AC power, consider using a household dehumidifier to reduce the moisture content in the air. Dehumidifiers work by extracting water from the air, creating an environment that is less conducive to mildew growth. This is especially useful if your boat is in storage and unoccupied, as it can effectively control the humidity levels without the constant ingress and egress of people, which can introduce more moisture.
Ventilation
Good ventilation is crucial in preventing mildew growth. Open hatches, ports, lockers, and drawers to allow for a steady flow of fresh air throughout the boat. PortVisors are a useful tool to keep ports open even during rainy weather. Additionally, consider installing ventilators like cowl-style or solar vents. Cowl-style ventilators are waterproof and force outside air into the cabin, helping to equalize the temperature. Solar vents, placed on hatches, can run on solar power or electricity to improve air circulation inside the boat. Remember to replace the air inside the boat with outside air every hour to reduce mildew formation.
Sunlight
Mildew cannot survive in light and warmth, so exposing your boat's interior to sunlight is an effective prevention method. Open all curtains and let sunlight warm the interior, turning items like jackets inside out to ensure all surfaces are exposed. However, this method may be less reliable during seasons with less sunny weather, so combining it with dehumidification and ventilation is advisable.
Keep Everything Clean and Dry
Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and dryness throughout your boat. Regularly clean the insides of lockers, drawers, and compartments, as these areas can often be overlooked in the fight against mildew. Keep the bilges dry, and if this is not possible, add a half-gallon of vinegar to the bilge weekly to inhibit the growth of mildew. Additionally, avoid storing fabric items directly against the hull, as condensation can cause them to become mildewed, perpetuating the moisture problem.
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Clean and dry fabric items
To prevent mildew from growing on fabric items in your fiberglass boat, it is important to regularly clean and dry these items. Mildew and mould thrive in warm, moist, and dark places. Therefore, it is essential to keep fabric items dry and well-ventilated.
Firstly, ensure that fabric items are not stored directly against the hull of the boat. As condensation forms, fabric will absorb moisture and become susceptible to mildew growth. Instead, store fabric items in a dry and well-ventilated area of the boat.
Regularly clean fabric items to prevent mildew growth. Before cleaning, always check the care label of the fabric item to ensure that the cleaning method is suitable for the fabric. For washable fabrics, wet the mildewed area and rub in a powdered detergent. Then, wash the fabric item in the hottest water setting permitted by the manufacturer, using chlorine bleach to disinfect and kill fungal spores. If the fabric item is white and made from 100% cotton, you can use chlorine bleach. For synthetic or coloured fabrics, use a pine oil or phenolic disinfectant. For mild stains, you can soak the fabric in equal parts white vinegar and water before rinsing and washing as usual. For more persistent stains, use oxygen bleach. Completely submerge the stained fabric and let it soak for at least eight hours or overnight. If the stain remains, repeat the process with a new solution.
After washing, dry fabric items thoroughly. Dry items on high heat immediately after the wash cycle ends to prevent mildew growth. If mildew odour persists, use distilled white vinegar by running the items in the washer drum with 1 to 2 cups of vinegar and no laundry detergent. For upholstery and other fabrics that cannot be washed, soak a sponge in a solution of 1/2 cup borax dissolved in 2 cups of hot water and rub it into the affected areas. Let the solution soak for several hours until the stain disappears, then rinse well.
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Seal any leaks with a waterproof product
To prevent mildew from growing on your fibreglass boat, it is important to seal any leaks with a waterproof product. This is because any water that gets into the boat can cause structural problems. Modern fibreglass boats have a fibreglass-core-fibreglass sandwich structure, with a core material of plywood, end-grain balsa, or closed-cell foam. Ideally, this core would be bonded to each skin, and all voids and kerfs would be sealed so that any water that happened to find its way into the core would just run down the fastener inside the boat.
To seal leaks in a fibreglass boat, you can use a marine polyurethane adhesive sealant such as Sikaflex 291 or a polysulphide such as Life Caulk. Sikaflex 291 creates a permanent bond and is ideal for fittings that you never expect to remove. Polyurethane adhesives are available with different levels of adhesion—for example, Sikaflex 291 and 3M 4200 have a lower level of adhesion for use with general deck fittings, while Sikaflex 292 and 3M 5200 have a high level of adhesion for high-load items. Polysulphides, on the other hand, never fully set, so they are ideal for fittings that you may need to replace or reposition later. Like polyurethane sealants, they stick tenaciously to almost any substrate, but they are not suitable for use with some plastics as the solvents used may cause problems.
When applying sealant, it is important to deal with the excess, as it can be messy and look untidy if left in place. Only a small amount of sealant is needed for a successful outcome—a single bead of sealant run along the line of the bolt holes and encircling each one. For larger jobs, you can calculate the amount of sealant needed to produce a uniform layer 2mm thick, leaving a margin for excess. To make tidying up easier, apply masking tape to both the deck and the fitting so that any excess sealant can be easily cut away with a sharp knife once it has cured. The curing time for polyurethanes depends on the ambient temperature, but it typically takes 4-10 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Mildew thrives in damp, dimly lit, warm environments, so the best way to prevent it from growing is to provide good ventilation throughout the boat. Open hatches, use fans, and open lockers. Try to keep the insides of lockers clean and dry.
You can use Soft Scrub, Marine Spray Nine, Mean Green, or a bleach or vinegar solution.
You can use a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide with a couple of drops of dish detergent.
Rinse fabric items like life jackets, boat covers, seat cushions, bedding, and mattresses off and allow them to dry thoroughly.
Check your boat periodically for any leaks and seal them with a quality product to provide a waterproof seal. Keep the boat clean and dry, and reduce interior humidity levels.
