MOLD

[peter devine]

This is the first year I moored my boat. In New England we got nothing but rain May, June and July. I have mold in the cabin on the ledge that runs to the bow on both sides and under my hard top there are spots everywhere.

Is there something i can clean the fabric with?
How do I stop this from happening?

Thanks

 

[richie rich]

the only way to "prevent" things is ventilation and some mildew/dampness absorbent that can be purchased and hung in the cabin.

Cleaning regular surfaces with a mix of just water and bleach works well....the fabric and pholstery??? you can wipe it with a similar mix, but I have used a rented carpet cleaner unit like rug doctor and added some bleach or mildew remover in the soap tank and it works great..

ventilation is still the key...don't make it water tight...its gotta breath

 

[fastal]

Peter, I am also in New England; north shore mass. The service manager at a local grady dealer told me to use Tilex bathroom cleaner on the spots.

Haven't tried it yet down below but it worked on my fabric deck chairs.

 

[Sprocket]

Another Newburyporter.
Yes, Tilex works the best. For edges, spray the area lightly, then use a saturated (not too much) sponge and wipe. Make sure to rinse with water afterwards as Tilex will bleach anything if left on too long (upholstery, canvas, etc).
I also spray it in the bilge and enclosed compartments (don't keep your head in those too long...the fumes are not good). Let set, rinse, then let air dry.

 

[peter devine]

Thank you very much. I tilex everything that moved or grew. This stuff works excellent!! I also left my port and starboard window slightly open for air. Now for the sniper rifle to get that seagull who insists on sitting on my radar. I actually had to shoo the sun o bit@ch off.

 

[sluggoe]

straight vinegar is a cheap alternative that i have used and works well if you do not want to spend the $$ on tilex.

my boat was covered with mold in the cabin, refride etc and vinegar was all i used and it worked.

also, get some damp-rid cannisters at home depot and change them on a monthly basis (sooner for extreme summer conditions).

---sluggoe
282 sailfish F225s

 

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I second the vinegar(white), but ventilation IS top priority. In my boat i also run a small fan in the cabin while away and i don't get ANY mold at all.

 

[journeyman]

We bought one of these at our local Boater's world before it went out of business. It is rechargeable and works great for keeping our cabin dry. When the crystals turn pink, plug it in overnight. It lasts a couple of weeks depending on how humid we've been. If you can find one or one like it get it!


Prem I Air RMDH-09

Posted suggestions for removing mold will work.

 

[Legend]

I have had mold issues on 2 2004 GW. I think the fabric GW used in the years around 2004 (tan and white with GW paterns) was not a mold resistant fabric. GW actaully had to replace the interior cushions on my 2004 gulfstream twice and once on my 2004 Sailfish. I had mixed results using Tilex as someone posted earlier it can cause bleaching of the fabric.
Ventilation is the best thing you can do. A fellow boater in my marina gave me a tip last week that worked great. Get a spary bottle and mix 10% bleach and 90 % water. Spray it on the fabric cushions, do not scrub it, go have a couple of beers and it will be gone. Tried it and it worked better than everything Ive tried in past. No wear and tear on the fabric and no bleaching. If 10% does not work remix with maybe 15% and try again.

 

[gradyfish22]

In the cabin add a moisture absorber, there are many that are cheap and work well, that will take care of the cabin, if your down for the day and not out, open the doors and vent windows or the overhead port to allow air in as well. As for the HT, I use bleach each spring, this seems to kill most of it and keep it off for a long time. I do this while my side curatains are still off from the winter, and before I wax, the bleach will remove any wax. This gets me through 2/3 of the season, I then use clorox disentfecting wipes from ther eon out and am set. I tried waxing the under side of my HT this year, made no difference, if anything made it worse it seems, but is much easier to clean, will come off with a dry rag and nothing else.