Opinions needed on boat cover/vents

[mfoley312]

Hi all,

Quick question about why my boat cover allows so much water inside. I have a canvas trailerable cover that I used silicone waterproof spray made for tents, clothes, covers, etc on. It's been raining like hell the last couple days and my bow trim switch just got shorted again due to water getting in.  The silicone spray is made for tents and stuff, so it's still gotta let the cover breath, right? The water beads off the cover great, but the carpet and seats are no less wet than before the spray.

I really need a d**n garage and I know this, but for the time being this is the set up I've got. I'm thinking about adding two vents in the cover (Vico Boat Vent III's), but really hesitant about putting holes in the cover and potentially making it worse.

 

Please let me know any and all advice you have from y'all's experiences. Thank you very much.

[MN Fisher]

My first thought?

 

You got any low-spots in the cover? That spray helps shed water, but only if it doesn't sit in place. Prop up any low-spots with something to make sure all the water slides off onto the ground.

[Russ E]

Years ago I had to leave my boat outside. I went through several covers along the way.

 

Canvas tends to be very durable, but even with the waterproofing it can condensate anywhere an object is touching it. 

if you have ever been camping in a canvas tent and leaned against the side in the rain, it does not take long to get wet.

 

Vynil covers tend to be more waterproof.

I am curious what Kind of bow trim switch you have. Most are waterproof.

[mfoley312]

I have two areas propped up that seem to limit any pooling to minimal or none at all. It beads well, but the whole underside of the cover is dripping wet.

 

The trim switch is something I got off Amazon. The first was original. I just have it unplugged at the bow now. I assume moisture got in where the wires were and shorted it I guess. The inside of all my compartments are also soaking wet. I've put rechargeable dehumidifier beads in the big compartments on the bow but the moisture is no match for them. 

 

This only becomes a headache when it rains for days in a row, like this week we've had just about 4 days of non stop wetness. Most of the time, the single day of showers isn't bad and if needed I can take the cover off the next day to air it out. 

[Fishing Rhino]

Whood a thunk it, but the tilt control at the bow getting shorted is not a rare occurrence.  I solved that by installing a switch to turn the battery off.  The worst thing is not ending up with a lot of water in the boat, but travelling down the highway and having the motor tilt down because water intrusion shorted out the tilt switch.

 

 

[slonezp]

Going to set you back some coin, but a custom cover and Boat Vents are the way to go

[mfoley312]

11 hours ago, slonezp said:

Going to set you back some coin, but a custom cover and Boat Vents are the way to go

Do you think adding two boat vents to my current cover would help? I'm hoping we have a new house within the year, equipped with garage for the boat, so don't really want to buy a new fancy cover and really only use it for a year.

 

Do you have any experience with adding vents? I just worry about making a mistake I can't fix.

[slonezp]

No experience. Once you cut the canvas, your going to have to reinforce the seams or you're asking for trouble. 

[looking45]

When I kept my boat outside, I used a cover and also one of those blue or gray plastic tarps. Never got wet inside. Like others have mentioned, make sure you tent a couple of areas so the water can run off.

[Bolar]

Just wondering, is the problem that water is coming through the cover, or is water condensing under the tarp on the cooler metal? 

[mfoley312]

I think it's more condensation, but it's a lot. 

I've got it tented, there's no pooling and if there is, it's very minimal.

[Bolar]

I don't think your going to be able to do much more than what you have.  Your fighting mother nature and you'll never win that battle, until you get a garage to put it in, even then...  Something you might try is putting a fan under the cover to circulate the air. 

[mfoley312]

I'm gonna get some damprid and see how it works