Fishing Through the Rain

[sashimigrade]

I thinking about getting my first boat (other than a kayak). Unfortunately I won't be able to garage store. It's raining today and it got me thinking about proper care for a wet boat when you get home. Say I fish Saturday in the rain and it rains through Sunday and Monday.

Will the compartments take on water when closed if it's raining? Obviously you need to let the boat sit uncovered to dry out but 'm sure there are some useful tips out there. What if it's raining on and off all week and I'm sleeping and working 16 hours a day? How do I get it dry and avoid the mildew?

[dlewis10]

I am in the same situation as you. First of all, make sure you have a quality cover, as it will protect it from the sun and rain. As far as drying out a boat once its wet is still a mystery to me. Just have to wait till you get a dry sunny day. Uncover in the am before work, and cover it back up when you get home. Repeat the next day if necessary. Don't think there is any tips other than a vented cover. But those small vents still don't let that much moisture out.

[RiverRatMD]

Yeah, he pretty much said it. If your boat gets heavily rained in and wet, and it sucks when it does, you've got to get it dried-out as soon as you can. If it's raining for days after, you gotta get your stuff out, cover it and at least prop open the compartments to promote at least some air flow. When a good day comes, uncover it and open all the compartments to air the boat out. It may take all day, it may take two.

Or, when you see the wet forecast coming, comment to your buddy how you haven't fished out of his boat for a while, and how it would be great to fish out of his awesome boat this weekend!! That's what i do, and my boat stays pretty dry! Then be courteous and remind him to open his compartments to let her dry out.

[mdtritn21]

If the lids don't leak don't cover it up. It only takes a short ime for mold and mildew to form under a cover in a wet boat and it will form on the inside of the cover too. When it stops open the lids and let it air out then cover it. Take your rain gear and vest out when you get home and let them dry asap or the same thing will happen.

[RiverRatMD]

Like i said, If it's still raining for days and likely the compartments will get water in them, i'd cover it. You should take everything out and prop the compartments open, but a quality cover will allow for some air flow. Anything with fabric - remove. If you were out fishing in the rain, there's likely lots of moisture in the compartments also, so at least some airflow is better than none.