I've had my custom sharkskin cover for about a year now.  Recently I've noticed some mildew/mold areas on the cover (bow and rear sunpad).  The boats sits on a lift in a covered boat slip, so it doesn't get direct rain, but probably a fair amount of dew and what not since it sits right over the water.  (note: I have a setup that prevents any water from actually pooling on the cover.) 

Also, the cover touches the back sunpad area of the boat in parts, and last time uncovering I noticed some mold growth on the vinyl sunpad and it was actually damp to the touch.  So apparently the dew is seaping thru in areas that make contact with the vinyl.  This seems outrageous to me for what I paid for the cover.  Preliminary calls to Overton's indicate the cover is not defective even though they blatently claim them to be mildew resistant.

The fact that I'm having problems with a 1-year old cover for a boat thats sits under roof is quite annoying. 

Anyone have any similar issues?

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1999 Crownline 225BR
Merc 5.7L Alpha
"Ramble On"

Yep, seems to be a common problem.  I don't care how "mildew" resistant something is if moisture gets in there it is going to get moldy.

I had the same problem with mine this year and so did Steve Kroesen and his is a bit newer than mine if I recall.  Best bet is to take it off and wash it down with soap and water on your driveway and let it air dry for several hours.

I had a good amount of mold on mine at the swim platform area and had to do this 2 weeks ago.  Ended up letting it air dry for a good 5 hours in the sun.

You could also pull it off, clean it, and then apply some water proofing spray.  Water is probably seeping through the cover and then sitting on your sun pad causing the mold to grow.

Do you have "vent covers" installed?  If not, I'd take a look at putting some of them in.  Will help the cover breath a little bit.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/product_listing.asp_Q_CatID_E_409_A_SubCatID_E_440_A_ProdID_E_3425

Other than all those suggestions, you can also install a damp rid bag in the boat while it is sitting.

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Yep, it's pretty common. My canvas mooring cover did the same thing a couple of years ago and I have since replaced it with another one.

During the winter, I cover the boat with  http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|5948|296194|296195|323497&id=41547 and have had ZERO moisture problems with this canvas tarp.

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Phil Belcher
2003 266CCR
496 MAG, Bravo 3

Thanks Ryan and Phil for the feedback.  I guess I'm not the only one.  The canvas cover I replaced was the original and it never had near the mold issue this one already does.  I just figured for the money I wouldn't have to mess with cleaning/protecting it every year, and especially after only 1 season.  Live and learn I guess!!

For what its worth, Overtons recommended 303 Fabric Guard. 

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1999 Crownline 225BR
Merc 5.7L Alpha
"Ramble On"

My mooring cover, which is nylon does the same Chris.  We pull it every off season and take it to a commercial laundry and wash it with lots of soap and bleach.  It comes out pretty good.  This year seems worse than previous, I think cause the midwest had so much rain and wide high and low temps which caused lots of condensation.  The dock roof drips pretty good with the dew point and we didn't have that dry hot air in July/August. 

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O'
"Little Mascara 3"
2003 266BR,496 MAG w/Bravo III

Your Sharkskin cover is probably doing its job keeping out the rain, leaves and dirt.  

I believe the mold or mildew problem on the inside of the cover and on the sunpad and other vinyl areas may be caused by moisture trapped in the boat.  It could be damp carpet, water in the bilge, cooler, etc.  A waterproof or water resistant cover doesn't breath very well and traps the moisture in the boat.  When the outside tempature drops condensation forms on the inside of the cold cover surface.  Sort of like a tent does when it is cold out side and warm and moist inside.  Any dirt, dust on those surfaces helps feed the spores so they grow and spred. 

 There really isn't much you can do about it except keep the boat as dry as possible and make sure it is vented somehow.  And that may not work 100% either.  The humid weather is one of the biggest problems with this.  You could try one of those "Damp Dry" (sp?) systems.  I use that in the winter during storage and it gathers a lot of water.