"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
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.

--

Roger Long


It should be possible (although I haven't tried it) to install Nicro solar
day/night vents directly into the shrinkwrap covering. You'd need to find
flat horizontal spots in which to put them, one forward and one aft, but if
you already have a pair installed in your boat (or if you plan on installing
a pair) it's just a matter of moving them. Another option would be to find a
place both fore and aft which faces down -- under davits and bowsprit/pulpit
for example -- and cut large ventilation openings.

The average huge one beating the good little un IMO.



My Beneteau 35s5 is in the shrink wrap and we never get much moisture
inside. Several vent holes are cut into it and two solar vents keep it
going inside. Some folks crack the forward hatch and leave a board out
of the companionway as well.
Obviously, depending on your climate....results will vary.



Robert
35s5
NY