Winterizing the cabin

[denpooch]

My question is regarding winterization. I boat in the Northeast.
I have winterized all of the mechanical and fresh water systems on my boat. I do however have some questions regarding the cabin.
Do you folks keep the cushions (ultra leather) in place or do you take them off of sofa, etc. and place them where they can 'air out'?
I would also like to know if you keep cabinet doors in both kitchen, head and bunk opened or closed.
How about bedding? Do you leave it on the boat during the winter and then dry clean in the spring?
Since my boat will 'wrapped', is it recommended to keep the ports closed or open for ventilation?
The one thing I do know about is keep a couple of 4 pound 'Damp Rid's' in there.
Sorry for the length of this, but I would certainly appreciate your experience and thoughts.
Thanks

[Agriman]

What we do has worked for us.
We leave the ultra leather seats on a cocked position to allow air around them.
We leave cupboards closed and doors open including the refrigerator left ajar.
We take the bedding home for cleaning and then return and leave in the boat in a tote.
We open the front windows for extra venting before shrinking
We leave dishes, silverware and cooking utensils until spring and then rewash them.
We mix calcium chloride and kitty litter about 1/3 to 2/3 mixture in plastic containers (3 of them) from the dollar store to handle any humidity issues.

[Viper]

I prop up all my cushions and mattresses so everything airs out. I keep all the drawers, cupboards, hatches including under the mattresses open as well as the fridges, ice maker, and all doors. I take all the bedding home including the pillows. I don't bother with moisture products, I figure if I don't use them when the humidity is really high in the summer, why would I bother in the winter when it's so much drier. I always keep my windows open a bit but not the deck hatch as one never knows whether snow will accumulate or blow in.

When they wrap your boat, ensure they install plenty of vents.

[km1125]

I leave all the bedding and bed pillows and throw pillows on the boat. We bring them home and clean them, then I put them in vacuum bags and put them back on the boat. I leave all the cabinet doors open and the fridge open.

[bud37]

We leave the ultra leather stuff....remove all soft cushions, pillows, paper products,bedding,clothes etc....put calcium chloride out, dryer sheets as well....leave all the doors ,drawers , fridge open, bilge hatches propped and the last thing is shop vac all the bilges,drains,shower sump etc dry.....all the drains can be done from the outside along with the bilge pump drains......

[Midnightsun]

We remove any and all liquids and food. Remove all clothing and linens. Cushions have the covers removed washed and stored in our home cedar closet. Leave 4 of those humidity absorber tubs in the boat. Put about 4 or 5 air sponges in the cabin and bilge areas. Fridge doors all stay ajar.

[tomschauer]

Food and anything that can freeze is a given to remove. We also remove all clothing, bedding towels etc. Pretty much any thing that will hold moisture that isn't permanently attached. We also prop up mattresses on 5 gallon buckets so they can breathe. Clean , dry and prop open fridge and ice maker doors.
We don't use the humidity buckets. I believe they draw everything they can in the first two weeks or so, then let it wick back out with the dry winter air.

[Viper]

Qr Bbpost.... We don't use the humidity buckets. I believe they draw everything they can in the first two weeks or so, then let it wick back out with the dry winter air.

Agreed. I don't understand the logic of using them in the winter. Unless you visit the boat every month and replace them you're actually leaving a source of moisture on board. It's dry in the winter so I don't see the point. I guess it's good marketing and I understand the use in the summer, but in the winter, just ventilate.

[Midnightsun]

Qr Bbpost

Qr Bbpost.... We don't use the humidity buckets. I believe they draw everything they can in the first two weeks or so, then let it wick back out with the dry winter air.

Agreed. I don't understand the logic of using them in the winter. Unless you visit the boat every month and replace them you're actually leaving a source of moisture on board. It's dry in the winter so I don't see the point. I guess it's good marketing and I understand the use in the summer, but in the winter, just ventilate.

All I know is they only start to work if the humidity levels get above 60%. In spring the containers are full which means the liquid removed was taken from the air and is not absorbed in the boat.

[waybomb]

I think you could fill your bilge with a few thousand pounds of desiccant and it would be waterlogged when you opened the boat up.

Shrink wrapping it does not make the boat vapor pressure proof.