: I've always thought the opposite,that's why 200 year old ships found in the
: great lakes are in so mutch better condition than those found in the
: ocean.The fishermen around here claim they're wooden boats rot quicker in
: the water than on dry land. J. Bell

Hi Jim,
I think that's got to do with the microbial activity difference and oxygen levels. There's also the difference in timber type used in ships that were primarily lake based rather than ocean based.
There's also a greater variety of critters that like eating wood in the oceans floor.
Are those fishermen freshwater or saltwater fishermen? Though it doesn't make that much difference as a boat stored dry is going t be less likely to rot as fast as one that's wet all the time.
Boats kept on salt water will tend to rot from the inside out. Unless the insides are kept salty.

For kayaks, it's making sure the insides can dry out properly.

Mike Savage
South West Cork