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Jim, Jim, is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
Default Shrink wrap moisture

Roger Long wrote:
Being short of time this year with two boat projects under way, I
elected to have the yard shrink wrap "Strider". I just went up to
pull the hatches (see other post) and it was like a shower inside. My
back quickly became soaked bumping into the plastic. Maybe it was
later in the season but there never seemed to be a hint of moisture
under the tarps. The wrap has three of the little triangular vents on
each side.

I had earlier opened up the portlights to let the gaskets spring back
and vent the inside of the boat. I wonder now if I'm letting more
moisture in than out.

I'm thinking of adding vents, perhaps one of those galvanized wind
turbine vents in a length of stove pipe taped into the double wrapping
at the end.

Anyone else found a good way to get air flowing through a shrink
wrapped boat? Can I count on this moisture production slowing when
the weather gets colder and the boat has dried out?

I can now understand the warning never to shrink wrap a wooden boat.


This will sound strange, but you can chemically dehumidify the inside

Total cost -- maybe $10

Get a pair of pantyhose (How is your own business)

Go to Home Despot, and buy 2 cartons of Ice Melter (I think it's calcium
chloride) DO NOT buy Sodium Chloride!

Dump 1 carton into each leg of the pantyhose, and suspend the hose over
a 5 gallon old driveway sealer bucket (or buy one one you have to)

The calcium Chloride will absorber moisture, and when saturated, drip
into the bucket. Should be good for a couple of months. Check it then
and dump the bucket and replace the CC if necessary