Preventing Condensation

[Russ T]

3 minutes ago, LoneCruiser said:

I liveaboard, and have done so since 2017.. mine’s a solidly built deep draughted 32ft narrow…

 

it can get to 27/84 on occasions🥵

 

I know of two other boaters with the same problem..

strangely, I don’t get condensation on my windows, none whatsoever!!

 

just me on board  and I’ve lots of ventilation in the way of mushrooms and draughty windows, but no water getting in there..

So what happens if you drain the main water tank? I guess this would at least eliminate one source of water.

Is it wet during the summer months?

[Tony Brooks]

7 minutes ago, LoneCruiser said:

just me on board  and I’ve lots of ventilation in the way of mushrooms and draughty windows, but no water getting in there..

 

And how many times have we heard that statement? If it is leaking between the window frames and cabin side or mushroom flange and the roof there may (for now) not be any signs of a leak, but it will still be leaking water into the bilge. Be aware that rust forming between the window frame and cabin side or vent flange and roof will eventually force a gap for rain to enter.

[LoneCruiser]

5 minutes ago, Rod Stewart said:

So what happens if you drain the main water tank? I guess this would at least eliminate one source of water.

Is it wet during the summer months?

Bone dry in the summer..

going to have two options, drain my tank now then have to live off bottled water and regular walks to the tap OR wait until summer to see IF it stops?

1 minute ago, Tony Brooks said:

 

And how many times have we heard that statement? If it is leaking between the window frames and cabin side or mushroom flange and the roof there may (for now) not be any signs of a leak, but it will still be leaking water into the bilge. Be aware that rust forming between the window frame and cabin side or vent flange and roof will eventually force a gap for rain to enter.

I’ve checked for water getting in through the windows and any water that might get in is contained in the inner channel where it drains out again thru the weep holes 

[GUMPY]

Is the stainless tank insulated from the cabin?

One of my previous boats used to generate condensation on the water tank as hot air used to get under the front deck and condense on the tank.

[LoneCruiser]

Just now, GUMPY said:

Is the stainless tank insulated from the cabin?

One of my previous boats used to generate condensation on the water tank as hot air used to get under the front deck and condense on the tank.

No, you can see the stainless steel tank side from inside the cabin

[Russ T]

Just now, LoneCruiser said:

No, you can see the stainless steel tank side from inside the cabin

Then that could be,at least part of your problem. We have a poorly insulated plastic tank. The condensation from it in the winter is noticeable. That is not to say you don't have a leak in the tank/filler pipe/fittings too. 

[David Mack]

1 minute ago, LoneCruiser said:

No, you can see the stainless steel tank side from inside the cabin

If you can actually see the tank then any warm moist air from breathing/cooking/showers etc. will condense on the tank and the condensate will end up on the floor or in the bilge. I suggest you seal off the tank from the living space with a sheet of celotex/kingspan, sealed around the edges to stop the moist air reaching the cold tank.

[LoneCruiser]

1 minute ago, Rod Stewart said:

Then that could be,at least part of your problem. We have a poorly insulated plastic tank. The condensation from it in the winter is noticeable. That is not to say you don't have a leak in the tank/filler pipe/fittings too. 

Bless you, I was and am hoping that it’s just condensation as otherwise it’ll mean cutting out my steel floor and removing the tank for replacement.😱

1 minute ago, David Mack said:

If you can actually see the tank then any warm moist air from breathing/cooking/showers etc. will condense on the tank and the condensate will end up on the floor or in the bilge. I suggest you seal off the tank from the living space with a sheet of celotex/kingspan, sealed around the edges to stop the moist air reaching the cold tank.

Thank you David, I’ll get on with that.

3 minutes ago, David Mack said:

If you can actually see the tank then any warm moist air from breathing/cooking/showers etc. will condense on the tank and the condensate will end up on the floor or in the bilge. I suggest you seal off the tank from the living space with a sheet of celotex/kingspan, sealed around the edges to stop the moist air reaching the cold tank.

It’ll mean removing the wood burner and staged flooring that the stove sits on, so might have to be a summer job when the fire is out🔥

[Tony Brooks]

13 minutes ago, LoneCruiser said:

Bone dry in the summer..

going to have two options, drain my tank now then have to live off bottled water and regular walks to the tap OR wait until summer to see IF it stops?

I’ve checked for water getting in through the windows and any water that might get in is contained in the inner channel where it drains out again thru the weep holes 

 

As I thought, you are totally ignoring the propensity for leaking between the frames and cabin side or roof. Those are the areas that probably produce the most instances of leaking into the boat and can be difficult to spot until they have soaked any insulation, then soaked through the inner lining material, which discolours it.

 

However, if you have recently had the widows and vents off the boat, sorted any rust that was then exposed, repainted the rusty areas, and resealed with a suitable material, then you are right to be confident it is not leaks between the frames and boat. Otherwise, I don't see how you can be so sure, especially as such leaks do not show where you seem to have been looking apart from in the bilge.

[LoneCruiser]

4 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

 

As I thought, you are totally ignoring the propensity for leaking between the frames and cabin side or roof. Those are the areas that probably produce the most instances of leaking into the boat and can be difficult to spot until they have soaked any insulation, then soaked through the inner lining material, which discolours it.

 

However, if you have recently had the widows and vents off the boat, sorted any rust that was then exposed, repainted the rusty areas, and resealed with a suitable material, then you are right to be confident it is not leaks between the frames and boat. Otherwise, I don't see how you can be so sure, especially as such leaks do not show where you seem to have been looking apart from in the bilge.

I’m looking for help here, “pleasant help” so please don’t reply.

i thank you your suggestions but frankly i feel insulted and feel like I’m being treated as tho I’ve no idea whatsoever in what I’m doing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GUMPY]

25 minutes ago, LoneCruiser said:

No, you can see the stainless steel tank side from inside the cabin

That will be a very large part of the problem. Over a winter mine could generate enough to wet the floor boards at the back of the cabin.

You need to find some way to insulate it asap. 

It won't do it in Sumner as the temperature is pretty even throughout rather than there being a local heat source.

[Tony Brooks]

9 minutes ago, LoneCruiser said:

I’m looking for help here, “pleasant help” so please don’t reply.

i thank you your suggestions but frankly i feel insulted and feel like I’m being treated as tho I’ve no idea whatsoever in what I’m doing.

 

I tried to help in my first reply, injecting a bit of what I hoped was humour to it. Your reply was to basically throw it back in my face with a statement that showed that you have little idea about how and where leaks between frames and hull metalwork show themselves. Even the part I quoted showed that you probably had no idea about the possibility of such leaks.

[LoneCruiser]

6 minutes ago, GUMPY said:

That will be a very large part of the problem. Over a winter mine could generate enough to wet the floor boards at the back of the cabin.

You need to find some way to insulate it asap. 

It won't do it in Sumner as the temperature is pretty even throughout rather than there being a local heat source.

I’ll try and get somat sorted but where I live on board, no wood burner will be 😱

I’ll need to take out tiles and dismantle built in sofa too..

[BD3Bill]

26 minutes ago, LoneCruiser said:

I’m looking for help here, “pleasant help” so please don’t reply.

i thank you your suggestions but frankly i feel insulted and feel like I’m being treated as tho I’ve no idea whatsoever in what I’m doing.

 

 

 

It is a really pants year/winter/weather patterns for condensation . 
You , like us, are fighting an immovable force. Just keep drying out the bilge every three weeks or so. 
We have several unibond dehumidifiers in damp cupboard spaces.

 I have removed the ballast in the rear section to make getting it dry/drained easier. 
I fitted a mushroom vent in one of the deck lockers to let the water tank space air out better, it helps a bit. 
Don’t leave the kettle on the multi fuel at night.

All the best chap/chapette. 

 

 

 

 

 

[GUMPY]

27 minutes ago, LoneCruiser said:

I’ll try and get somat sorted but where I live on board, no wood burner will be 😱

I’ll need to take out tiles and dismantle built in sofa too..

If it can be done try as a start to fill the open bit leaving the stove and sofa where they are. 

[LoneCruiser]

29 minutes ago, GUMPY said:

If it can be done try as a start to fill the open bit leaving the stove and sofa where they are. 

😆

Thats the main bit, the stove sits on a plinth, joined to the sofa..

id have to somehow launch myself sideways in a forewardly projectory, after having climbed into the locker then surf underneath the wood burner having previously telephone fire brigade or would it be “international rescue”? To come get me out..😳😆😆

43 minutes ago, BD3Bill said:

 

We are talking Bridgette Jones sized bloomers!!  I use puppy training pads to absorb.. not a whole one.. I cut it into sections to fit in underneath my bed/ hot water cylinder.

 

change them twice a day to keep on top of things.. 😃👍

[jim mitchell]

On 26/01/2025 at 15:30, LoneCruiser said:

It bangs and bongs whenever it’s being filled and does the same when it empties.

To me that sounds (sorry) like the tank vent is not working so pressure changes within as it fills or empties is deflecting a wall/s in and out- you get the same effect if you part fill a tin with hot water, seal it and then cool it !😀

 

If the air around the fire / tank surfaces is not moving freely for some reason - shapes/ temperature gradients etc then i suppose any high moisture will condense on the nearest cold surface - viz the tank run down and hence potentially onto the base plate.

[LoneCruiser]

3 hours ago, jim mitchell said:

To me that sounds (sorry) like the tank vent is not working so pressure changes within as it fills or empties is deflecting a wall/s in and out- you get the same effect if you part fill a tin with hot water, seal it and then cool it !😀

 

If the air around the fire / tank surfaces is not moving freely for some reason - shapes/ temperature gradients etc then i suppose any high moisture will condense on the nearest cold surface - viz the tank run down and hence potentially onto the base plate.

Hiya, 

my tank vent is so tiny you are most definitely right… it’s like one of them drinking straws that are attached to those dreadful mini drinks (orange, I think) but only smaller😱

[jim mitchell]

40 minutes ago, LoneCruiser said:

Hiya, 

my tank vent is so tiny you are most definitely right… it’s like one of them drinking straws that are attached to those dreadful mini drinks (orange, I think) but only smaller😱

so easily blocked, have you  tried just leaving the filler cap a tad loose?  or if it has , as some do, a tiny bleed hole through it clearing it with air or Fine soft wire?

[LoneCruiser]

39 minutes ago, jim mitchell said:

so easily blocked, have you  tried just leaving the filler cap a tad loose?  or if it has , as some do, a tiny bleed hole through it clearing it with air or Fine soft wire?

Filler cap on my gunwale. Don’t want debris or rainwater mixing with my drinking water..

 

I’ve lived with it for 8 years and the previous owner and most likely the owner before that?

 

Hey ho!!!!