Re: how do you prevent moisture build up in your storage hatches?
Bowman:
The condensation is typical of boats where cabinets and lockers use the boat hull as one wall and do not provide for any ventilation.
As others have said, you have two problems. First stop the leakage by removing the deck fitting, rebidding it and reinstalling. Gooping silicone around the base will only work for a short time and looks horrible.
Secondly, you need air circulation due to the cold water temperature on the outside of the fiberglass and the boat's internal warm air. This is a natural for condensation to form as you already know. Buy some teak or stainless louvered covers, the larger the better. Cut holes in the sides of the lockers and install the louvered covers. Then get rid of the fan that "has no power." The solar fans usually operate on a rechargeable 9-volt battery (the solar panel is to recharge the battery). You will need at least two. An alternative is a passive system using "Dorado" cowl vents. If the boat is on a mooring and swings with bow into the wind, you have one vent facing forward and one facing aft. If there is no air movement outside, this passive system does not work. Rain is kept out by having the cowl located in front of and not directly over the hole into the cabin and a weep hole in the Dorado box for the water to exit.
To absorb any remaining moisture, try a mixture of rock salt and kitty litter in a plastic shoe box size container. It a heck of a lot cheaper than Damp Rid and does the same thing.
