[Capt John]

Don White wrote:
Jere Lull wrote:
In article ,
"Roger Long" wrote:


Are there any informed or experienced opinions out there on storing
cushions inside a shrink wrapped boat over the winter in New England?
I'm going to have a good access and vents put in the shrink wrap and
leave the ports open. I'll be working on the boat from time to time so
it will get aired.

I have a nice dry basement but really need the space for other things
this winter. The cushions are quite new with very breathable fabric so
I would hate for them to get musty. I had tarps over the boat with
good ventilation last year and it seemed quite dry inside. Time
dictates shrink wrap this year and I would hate to get behind the
mildew curve with this nice cushion set.


In the Middle Atlantic, most people take the cushions home as the
closed-in boat will get musty from condensation and very low airflow.

Do you have a garage? I'd prefer to put mine up in the rafters, wrapped
in plastic, than leave them in the boat.

Alternate: put a dehumidifier in the boat, draining through, say, the
open knotlog through-hull.


I have a storage problem too. Right now I'm storing for myself, mom,
and two grown sons...one who is working out west.
I'll just throw my 8 boat cushions up on top of something in the
basement, rather than leave them on the boat or out in an unheated shed.

I've always stored them in the boat stacked on end, rather than laying
down like they would normally be used. It keeps moisture from
collecting underneath them, no moisture, no mold. I've never had a
problem like this, but the cabin must be well ventalated, so make sure
you have plenty of air flow, but no place for water to get in. It also
hepls to check the boat now and then, just in case. You'd be surprised
at how many boats up on land fill up with rain water or melted snow. If
you catch it early, it's just one bad day fixing the problem, if left
for a few months, call the insurance company.

John