Many people of asked and commented on my port lights in our cockpit.. I early on installed two lewmar ports aft of the traveler in the cockpit side walls (down where your feet are in the side walls just above the sole of the cockpit). I leave the ports open all the time, except when we are sailing in extreme conditions. The port lights I purchased on ebay for less then 30.00 per, and they were brand new. The ports allow for air circulation and I rarely if ever get any mildew of any kind now. The other nice thing about where the ports are is that they can remain open even when washing the boat as there is no wood inside the boat near the lights and all the water that sprays in goes right into the bilge. So far (6 years in) I have never has any signs of wildlife going in the boat, but I do have screens for the ports as well. At any rate this solved the mildew issue for Witchy Woman, on SF bay.

:: Keep the HP away from Nylon - it eats the stuff.
::
:: Living in the PNW, we have a pretty good environment for
:: mold. Good air circulation is key.
::
:: :: Thanks I'll give hydrogen peroxide a try.
:: ::
:: :: :: I just remodeled a house which had caposporum mildew
:: :: :: (the same stuff that grows in showers) in a thin sheen
:: :: :: across some sections of walls.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: I had an environmental mold inspector take a look at it
:: :: :: and give me some tips on how to remove it.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: He said to use Hydrogen Peroxide. It's just as deadly to
:: :: :: the mold but not nearly so dangerous to us as bleach,
:: :: :: amonia, etc.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: I bought 20 bottles and wiped down every surface in the
:: :: :: house. No dilution. It worked perfectly and didn't leave
:: :: :: a smell.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: I'll bet it would work great in an express too, however
:: :: :: if I were to sleep in the boat after wiping it with HP
:: :: :: I'd research any possible ill effects since the space is
:: :: :: so enclosed.
:: :: ::

:: :: :: -bryan

:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Ralph,
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: We've tested the "Mr Clean" magic eraser in small
:: :: :: :: sections and it seemed to work quite well. I'll let you
:: :: :: :: know how it works when we try going through the entire
:: :: :: :: boat.

:: :: :: :: -Dan

:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: In Michigan which is more humid than San Francisco
:: :: :: :: :: mildew above the V-berth and elsewhere is a problem.
:: :: :: :: :: This year thanks to a suggestion from fleet mate Jerry
:: :: :: :: :: Lohmeyer I tried lysol wipes. They worked quite well and
:: :: :: :: :: I didn't notice any toxic fumes issues, in contrast to
:: :: :: :: :: chlorox and water which nearly asphyxiated me several
:: :: :: :: :: years ago. Anybody else have any successful ideas for
:: :: :: :: :: dealing with or preventing mildew?