MacGregorSailors.com

1. In earlier days, I opened bilge covers and placed formaldehyde powder packs in cabin for the MI winter layup. No mildew come spring.
But a decade or more ago those packs were recognized as toxic to humans and became unavailable.

2. We now, winter and summer , we pull air 24/7 from the cabin with a Nicro 3 " solar/battery vent in the forehatch cover, and pull air thru the bilge with a 12v computer fan driven in daytime by a small solar plate. Almost no mildew.

3.In both 1 and 2, during winter layup, we stacked cushions to allow airflow therearound and tried to have no water in the bilge .

4. Oddly enuf, the Nicro works even covered by the cheap blue plastic tarp which shields the boat from snow buildup.

Ron

We use good old fashion "bleach and water" and "elbow grease" twice a year. Once in the fall before we put her up, and then again in the spring when she comes out.

The most important thing we find is to remove as much moisture out of the air as possible. So we use several of the moisture traps, but they do need to be refilled once and a while.

Also the more air cirulation the better. We remove all the seat cushions and store them indoors, and then open all storage covers and galley doors,etc.

Darry

'Never have dampness probs in X boat after installing three solar powered fan vents, one in front hatch, one in slider hatch cover, and one in cabin top just to portside of the mast, as well as two clamshell passive vents in cabin upper walls aft the windows, one in the head and the other above the battery / galley seat.