Is it so humid in the cabins that you find yourself forced to hang everything on the deck as in the picture above? Something is wrong. A dry boat is a safer, more comfortable and livable boat.
There are many solutions to enjoy the interior, even in the bad season, “in the dry”: heaters, damp-proof bags and, of course, the good old dehumidifiers. The latter, if used wisely, will provide you with excellent results for little expense. However, you will have to choose the right model carefully, because often, as these devices were not born for exclusive use in boats, they could give you problems.
Some are damaged by saline in the air (and the manufacturer’s warranty often does not cover this), others are models designed to be portable and cannot be properly secured on board when there are heavy seas or when sailing at an angle. Since water is stored in a tank in some models, remember to dry it well and do not leave it full on board. Here are four dehumidifiers that, in our opinion, will not let you down on a boat.
MEACO/ZAMBEZI DD8L
This is one of the most “famous” dehumidifiers. Equipped with a liquid crystal display, the Zambezi also has a timer function, so you can dehumidify whenever you want. You can easily pour the collected water (up to 8 liters per day) into a sink via a hose. It costs 299.95 euros at www.svb-marine.it
ECOR PRO/DRYBOAT 12
Even the name says it: this dehumidifier is designed specifically for use on boats. The unit is made of stainless steel, which is why it is free from corrosion risks: it has no reservoir, and moisture is exhausted through a duct. It can remove up to 12 liters of water per day, and the prestigious Yachting World magazine named it the best dehumidifier of 2018. It costs £589 (about 650 euros) HERE
SEAGO/SMART DRY
Smart Dry is designed for the boat and has a 1.8-liter tank on the back. Conversely, you can opt for continuous drainage (perhaps into a sink) with the hose provided. The digital display allows you to set dehumidification settings-it can collect up to 10 liters of water per day. It costs approximately 160 euros. www.seagoyachting.co.uk
DURONIC/DH20
Including wheels and a carrying handle, the Duronic DH20 is capable of collecting as much as 20 liters of water per day. It incorporates a 4-liter reservoir and has a drain tube for continuous use. Silent, it has a programmable timer and three operating modes to achieve the desired humidity rate. It costs 184.99 euros at www.duronic.com
