While you can paddle it without, just slap on a coat of varnish. It is not that big a deal. Like a lot of other projects it is harder to think about than actually do. If you have an hour tonight, you can be done with it. Another hour next week and you will have a second coat...

A beautiful varnish job can be more time consuming, but a decent one is easy. And you can always sand it down to make it beautiful next winter.

: I have run out of time and I want to be on the water. Can anyone tell me if I
: can use my kayak without paint or varnish for a couple of months (If I
: keep it out of major sun and in fresh water only).
: All comments would be helpful .....thanks