condensation inside boat

[eelfisher]

whenever we use our houseboat in the winter when it's cold, condensation builds up inside the boat, on the windows and ceiling, making it very wet. windows are single pane with aluminum frames. anyone know of any solutions to this problem?

 

[DJ]

Re: condensation inside boat

eelfisher,<br /><br />Are you heating the interior? If you are using propane, etc., that's your moisture generator.<br /><br />The only solutions are to either add a dry heat such as electric or forced air and/or a dehumidifier.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: condensation inside boat

DJ's exactly right, but I'll go a little further. Kerosene heaters will do that also. Any combustion produces water vapor as a by-product.

 

[eelfisher]

Re: condensation inside boat

thanks guys for the replies. yes, we heat the interior with propane heat. didnt know water vapor was a by product. so you think adding electric heat will decrease the condensation?

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: condensation inside boat

Agree absolutely with above posts.<br /><br />If your condensation is showing on windows as droplets, you already have damp bedding and cushions, because they get hit first.<br /><br />For every pound of propane you burn, you release around a pound of water. Similar with kerosene, except that if kerosene is not burnt cleanly and HOT (ie. flame set high), the combustion products will also be acidic.<br /><br />Solution is exactly as stated - use dry heat. No 'burning' in the cabin - let the power station do the burning, while you use their electricity. An alternative is to use a flue'd heater, so the combustion products escape externally. and ventilate the cabin as often as possible.<br /><br />Ciao

 

[sporter]

Re: condensation inside boat

I heat my coastal cruiser using marine air (electric) and electric radiant heater (oil filled,closed)plus run a dehumifier and I still get moisture on the windows. If the inside of the glass is warm and outside cold, won't you always have moisture?

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: condensation inside boat

Slicksboy,<br /><br />Dunno where you're from, but you are probably in an area of high humidity, or big day/night temperature changes - right? <br /><br />Big minus with boats is that they often get close to water! So the boat easily gets covered in condensation with every change in day/night temperature.<br /><br />What you say about windows that are warm inside and cold outside is right - but condensation only forms on non-porous surfaces if airborne moisture is present inside the boat. Dry air, whether warm or cold, will not precipitate.<br /><br />Trouble is, by the time you see the droplets on your windows, your porous surfaces - bedding, cushions, etc - will already be damp because they are hygroscopic - that is, they attract airborne moisture.<br /><br />There ain't no cast-iron solution, but the way you've gone about it is spot on. Ventilation when the day is warm and dry also makes a big difference - and that's free.<br /><br />Ciao