Condensation

Lawnpro979

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 17, 2014
Messages
232
Hey guys, My 1st ownership of an inboard boat. After Winterizing, Covering the boat up with a boat cover. " I don't have a place to keep it inside" I uncovered it to charge the battery and look around. Noticed the engine compartment has a ton of condensation in it.Wondering if this in Normal. Or am I doing something wrong.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,617
What material is your cover made out of?

Has it rained recently? Is water getting in past the cover? Is your drain plug out?
 

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,454
Boats get wet with condensation while covered. It can vary with the conditions, so I do not think you did anything wrong. You just may want to provide some more ventilation without letting the weather into the boat. Sometimes it is easier said than done.
 

mr 88

Commander
Joined
Nov 3, 2010
Messages
2,240
Leave the motor cover partially or completely open to let air in and out.You may still get some condensation because of the tarp being too tight to the hull. Vents are needed or make some openings where the tarp meets the hull so air can move around.
 

StarTed

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 14, 2015
Messages
694
Put a drop cord with light under the cover will slightly raise the air temperature and help keep down the condensation. Warm air holds more moisture than cold air so if the air is warmed a little it can absorb more moisture before condensation happens. The cover is next to the outside air so when the outside temperature drops condensation collects on the cover since at that time it is probably cooler than the air inside.

You always need ventilation.
 

Lawnpro979

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 17, 2014
Messages
232
Maybe I Didn't make it clear.....Sorry. The condensation Is in the Engine Compartment. Yes the plugins out. There was a ton of it....I was shocked. It did rain about a week ago. But other than that Cool Nights Warm days.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,359
I've had this with mine as well. The engine cools off faster than other materials and the moist air hits that cold metal and the moisture just condenses right out of it. I use moisture buckets, I spray the engine with Boeshield or Corrosion X and I open up the cover and engine lid and air it out on dry winter days. That's about all you can do short of the de humidifiers they make for boats.
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,147
Lift the cover up and create more ventilation.
​Wood blocks or something to hold it away breaking the seal.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,617
Install a vent in the cover. You can get ones with solar powered fans built in too.
 
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