Axis
Owners
Manual
2019
Page 145
All fabrics will support growth but natural bers like cotton, due to their cellulose
component, are more susceptible than synthetics. Some synthetics are treated with an anti-
microbial agent which adds to their growth resistance. Anti-microbial treatments protect the
base surface itself, so that alone won’t support spore growth. However, organic soiling on top
of those surfaces will. Once a population is established on the cover, vinyl seating or gel-coat,
an irregular stain will appear which ranges in color from gray to black; however, yellow, orange
& red stains are possible. Sometimes UV exposure can fade them but most often they remain
permanent stains.
Treatment: (Canvas manufacturers acknowledge this is diicult and very time-consuming,
with limited expectations of success. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid the necessity of mold and
mildew treatment.)
• If growth is established, vacuuming with a HEPA lter unit would be the rst step, followed by
cleaning.
• For fabric and vinyl surfaces, shampoo lightly with an upholstery shampoo.
Focus on Prevention: The key in eliminating mold growth is controlling moisture. Remove it
as a factor and growth simply will not occur, so maintaining a cool and dry condition with clean
surfaces is paramount. Using a dehumidier isn’t practical for boat storage, but a simple remedy
can be using desiccant bags. They must be monitored as they will absorb moisture and become
ineective but they can be replaced and this is a relatively inexpensive method. They are
available in packs for a normal-sized boat and called “Boat Dry,” purchasable from Sun Solutions
at www.sunsolutionproducts.com.
When the boat is ready to store, the best practices are:
• Clean and dry the boat thoroughly.
• Place a “Boat Dry” set of desiccant bags throughout the boat.
• Put the mooring cover on and tightly ratchet (seal will be created at the rub-rail).
Drying out a boat is diicult but the extra care you take will keep your boat looking new for a
long time.
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