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
|