> Paul, Another excellent post, full of good ideas. One suggestion I might
> make, avoid the use of bleach to kill the mold/mildew. As was pointed out
> in another thread some while back, the chlorine (however weak) might want
> to oxidize the epoxy.

Hadn't seen that. The typical chlorine bleach ( 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite) used to have directions on the label for water purification. I believe it was 3 drops per quart. I haven't seen those instructions for years, and I suspect they now want to discourage poeple from using it for water purification. A mixture that weak, or even if it was twice as strong ( 6 drops per quart, 24 per gallon) and used for a couple of hours every few months should have negligible oxidizing effect on the epoxy. And if it spoils the good looks of the interior of a sealed area who is going to know?

Nonetheless, there are other mixes that would work fine. Borax is cheaper than boric acid and does a fine job killing mildew. Mix it up. Pour some in. Slosh it around and pour it out. Let the compartment drain and dry. Do it again next season.

Here's a thought. They use Sodium Sulphite for cleaning bottles used in wine making. It would do an excellent job on killing mildew and any other spore based growth. The chemical is readily available from dealers in wine-making supplies.

Since epoxy is OK for holding foods, that sealed area would also make an excellent fermentation chamber in the off season. Clean it with the sulphite mix, add juice and yeast and close it with a fermentation lock. Bottle the result and rinse out the space. If your boat has any aroma the next season it will be a very pleasant one.

Bottoms up would now refer to more than just an eskimo roll.

An irreverant aside Paul Jacobson