www.iFourWinns.com

How does one (or everyone else) keep things dry. Probably too late as I suspect this boat I picked up has some rot issues already. But I wanted to dry it out and maybe attempt to keep it from getting worse in between a few outings at the end of the season. The back end, and engine compartment storage areas are all pretty damp, the covers are all in good shape with the poles doing their job, I suspect the boat was left uncovered much of the summer but don't really know. I can get water out of some of the seat pads and such by squeezing.

I know this is something I should have picked up before getting the boat but thats not worth worrying about, its mine now. Was planning on running a fan of sorts for a few hours a day, or even dragging a de-humidifier for a few days. I am in CT which is pretty humid this time of year.

Jon
1998 Four Winns Horizon H200
Volvo Penta 4.3GL

_________________
Jon Miller
1998 four Winns Horizon H200
Volvo Penta 4.3 GL
Newtown, CT

untitled-545 by millerjont, on Flickr

This stuff is a big help.


http://www.damprid.com/product/refillab ... rber-fg01k

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

The damp rid helps, and leaving it out in the sun on a less humid day helps also. If you can, leave it out in the sun, open up all the storage compartments, bow seats, engine compartment, etc.
The biggest problems are caused by carpet over the plywood decks on boats that didn't have the fiberglass liner. Before storing the boat for long time periods let it air out in the sun if you can.

When I store my boat in the winter I have to store it outside with a canvas cover. Whenever the weather is nice I open up the cover and let it air out. If you have a winter cover and can put vents in it that don't let in rain and snow it helps. Mine does not fit so tight on the sides that it prevents air circulation. Air circulation and preventing water from sitting anywhere helps prevent rot. For rot to start you need temperature between 40-60 degrees, stagnant air and moisture.

These problems are pretty much chronic in boats stored outside in the damp Northeast....
The other thing that helps is to waterproof the covers at least 1x per year.

The ironic thing is that I have LESS issues with moisture with the boat on the water on the mooring. I think the Sunbrella bow and cockpit covers breath better than the canvas cover and the motion of the boat and wind keep moisture from accumulating.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Once you get it all dried out buy a good mooring cover and make sure you treat it every year to make it waterproof. Those bow/cockpit cover to not keep water out worth a darn.

My Horizon is stored under the FW Mooring Cover (coated canvas) while on the trailer in my yard. It is fairly air-tight, so it can get like a sauna in there if the boat is covered while anything is still damp. But I also hate to keep it open for a day or two and get all the extra sun exposure on the vinyl.

I was thinking of a passive vent like this, but I wonder how much they really help. Does not look like much area for air to go through:
http://www.iboats.com/Westland-Vented-Support-Pole/dm/cart_id.594439466--session_id.432818921--view_id.6109

I have had some success by leaving all hatches open, the head port window open, and putting something (like a throwable cushion) between the boat and cover in one or two spots to let air in or out.

I have been considering making a sheet metal vent that would slip under the side of the cover. It would be an rectangular Aluminum duct about 1" x 8", and extend from below the rub rail, and hook over the top of the windshield (at the side). I would install a small fan (like a computer fan, but 120volt) at the bottom, which would pull air out from the cover (from near the highest point). The fan would be plugged into a timer that would turn it on from say 10:00am to 5:00pm. No point pulling damp night air through.
A fan like this one: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SF11592A-1092HSL.GN/259-1382-ND/1021231 is 35 CFM and only 12 watts AC.
If you or anyone else here would be interested in fan and duct like I am describing, then answer here or PM me and I will figure out what it would cost to get them made.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

When i store mine for the winter, I leave a cheap box fan turned on high in the boat with it plugged into an extension cord that runs out of the boat. Every week or two when I think about it, I'll plug the fan in and let it run for 30 min or so to circulate the air, and this with me using just the typical bow and cockpit covers. It keeps the air from getting stale and stagnent.... and thats what leads, to mold, mildew etc.

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2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP

Wow! Not good. Get that puppy out in the sun and let it bake and then do what others say; DampRid in the compartments, take the carpets out (if you have any), air it out and utilize a recently treated mooring cover. That boat sounds like a sponge. Good to see her going to a better owner.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Update,

We had some pretty good storms past 3 days and being new with the boat I wanted to see how it was doing, I expected to see some water in the bilge area which I did (pump works fine) and some dampness where the covers touched the seats.

Well, the rugs on both sides were quite damp, turns out the cupholders in the bow drain right into the cockpit under the instrument panel and glove box.


photo.JPG by millerjont, on Flickr


If I had bigger things to worry about with the boat I would but this seems like a silly design, is there supposed to be some tubes draining these into the bilge, do others just remove the holders and cover the hole?

1998 Horizon 200

_________________
Jon Miller
1998 four Winns Horizon H200
Volvo Penta 4.3 GL
Newtown, CT

untitled-545 by millerjont, on Flickr

There should be a drain hose 3/8" from the cup holder to the side of the boat to a small thru hull fitting.

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'96 200 Horizon 5.8l VP/SX

Are the cup holders you are talking about just in front of the windshield?

My 2000 Horizon 240 has similar looking recesses in the fiberglass at that location, but instead of cup holders, there are deck plates that are about 7" diameter. When you unscrew the removable cover of the deck plate, there is a "sock" hanging down inside. These deck plates and socks are used as a storage place for 6" dia fenders (about 18" long).

You can (barely) see them in this photo just in front of the windshield (one each side):
.

.
Maybe that was an option in your year, and you have cup holders instead. Just an idea, but maybe you could replace your cup holders with the same thing.

Or as you said, you could connect drain tubes to the bilge, or to overboard drains above the water line.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

This is all coming together now,

when going through the boat there was a 'spare' deck cover thing, and one of the forward cupholders missing


photo 1.JPG by millerjont, on Flickr

See the nice rag on the far one in this picture, now I wonder if it was a setup similiar to what you describe.

There is a small rubber fitting on the outer hull that I wondered what it was for, my guess (have to venture down to check now) is the one side has the cupholder with drain tube overboard and the other was a bumper holder. Either way they should be sealed or drained properly.

When I picked up the boat I just assumed he hadnt kept it covered much but this is starting to make sense now.

_________________
Jon Miller
1998 four Winns Horizon H200
Volvo Penta 4.3 GL
Newtown, CT

untitled-545 by millerjont, on Flickr

Well, the deck plates I am referring to require a larger hole than the cup holders, and they fill the majority of that recess in the fiberglass. You could cut the larger diameter hole if you are interested in doing that.

Deck plates have O-ring seals, and I have not had any rain water come through mine.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

I know there is a drain on one side, and if there is one on both I will just replace the cup holder with some tubing, if not I will investigate a bit more either way.

_________________
Jon Miller
1998 four Winns Horizon H200
Volvo Penta 4.3 GL
Newtown, CT

untitled-545 by millerjont, on Flickr

My guess is the drain you see comes from the cooler?
I have the cup holders up front also, but the bow cover goes over them.
They do get water occasionally but don't drain into the cockpit.
Maybe your hoses popped off?

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2002 Horizon 190 5.0gl

The cooler drain I'm familiar with, these are much smaller rubber grommit type things, I assume they were something from 2 owners ago (the boat had a fish finder, trolling motor mount among other things)

I can find it in photos but really too small to see, will post some tomorrow

_________________
Jon Miller
1998 four Winns Horizon H200
Volvo Penta 4.3 GL
Newtown, CT

untitled-545 by millerjont, on Flickr