Marc,

It's just condensation. I use a nylon spray skirt (in Fl in the winter) and when the conditions are right the inside of the skirt is soaking wet when I finish my paddling. I notice this mostly when I do evening or night paddles. I notice it most because the condensing water is not only wet but COLD and when I'm getting out of my boat I have to be very careful to keep those cold drops from getting on me. I’m also sure that I don't splash much (I don't want to scare the gators) and rarely ever drip water onto my spray skirt.

--KT--

: I have just recently completed my Outer Island kayak and have used it on open
: water 5 times now. Upon returning home , I'm fanatical about wiping it
: down and drying out any water inside the cockpit. Because I'm being extra
: careful to wipe down every surface, I reach my hand up under the foredeck
: surface and find it wet with water( enough that I can use the sponge to
: absorb most of it. I have to admit that with my other( plastic) kayak, I
: was never so picky about the water in the cockpit and probably never put
: my hand on the surface under the foredeck. I'm wondering if anyone else
: has experienced this and is it possible that this is condensation from my
: perspiration of legs and waist ( I use a neoprene skirt and the weather is
: still quite warm here). I can't imagine that the top deck of my boat is
: leaking! 3 coats of resin and 4 of urethane...no way! I do have three
: holes on each side of foredeck where my straps are attached for running
: bungee cords; but I have sealed these, prior to insertion of screws and
: now have since caulked the nuts under the deck. Obviously my boat isn't
: going to sink with this amount of water, but I would sure feel better
: about my building skills if someone else could agree that its
: condensation. Of coarse water is all over the top deck in that area as the
: paddle is raised back and forth and water splashes over the top as waves
: break over it. I have a small section of rear deck behind cockpit( it also
: has screws and nuts in it) and I never feel water under the deck there. It
: really seems to be above where my legs are. Any thoughts would be
: appreciated.
: PS You are not allowed to suggest that I strip the finish back down to the
: wood , recaulk wood strips and then reglass!!!
: Thanks,
: Marc Morgan