Cold Water Boating
I have to agree with Harry about condensation being a lot more of a
problem in northern clmates. One of the main reasons is not
necessarily the colder air but the colder water that seldom gets
above 4 C (40 degrees F) in the summer in many places.
As a result the air temperature drops very quickly in the evening and
reaches it's dew point temperature more often than over regions with
warmer water temperatures. Any breeze or air flow is also much colder
and damper so that opening vents is like turning on the air
conditioner when you want heat instead! And this condensaton forms on
everything, even painted plywood or canvas awnings.
Dead air is about the best form of insulation and the most reliable
form of air entrapment is closed-cell foam which of course also adds
bouyancy. Double-glazed windows also work quite well although many
new homes in Canada have triple-glazed.
Double-walled tents and man-made micro-fibers have been two of the
best inventions for northern campers and the reason is the ability to
provide protection from condensation as much as from rain and cold.
A small source of dry heat first thing in the morning is also the
difference between "roughing it" and living in luxury. Once the sun
gets up a bit higher and the air temperature warms, then everything
is fine. But it can be really damp first thing, or if it rains - even
when there is 24 hour daylight. And the condensation forms on
everything near the hull, even the painted plywood itself. A natural
unpainted wood lining is often mentioned by PCB in his older designs.
The cold water is the biggest factor - along with the icebergs of
course;-)
Cheers, Nels
problem in northern clmates. One of the main reasons is not
necessarily the colder air but the colder water that seldom gets
above 4 C (40 degrees F) in the summer in many places.
As a result the air temperature drops very quickly in the evening and
reaches it's dew point temperature more often than over regions with
warmer water temperatures. Any breeze or air flow is also much colder
and damper so that opening vents is like turning on the air
conditioner when you want heat instead! And this condensaton forms on
everything, even painted plywood or canvas awnings.
Dead air is about the best form of insulation and the most reliable
form of air entrapment is closed-cell foam which of course also adds
bouyancy. Double-glazed windows also work quite well although many
new homes in Canada have triple-glazed.
Double-walled tents and man-made micro-fibers have been two of the
best inventions for northern campers and the reason is the ability to
provide protection from condensation as much as from rain and cold.
A small source of dry heat first thing in the morning is also the
difference between "roughing it" and living in luxury. Once the sun
gets up a bit higher and the air temperature warms, then everything
is fine. But it can be really damp first thing, or if it rains - even
when there is 24 hour daylight. And the condensation forms on
everything near the hull, even the painted plywood itself. A natural
unpainted wood lining is often mentioned by PCB in his older designs.
The cold water is the biggest factor - along with the icebergs of
course;-)
Cheers, Nels