: Anyone know how to identify water absorption in a fiberglass kayak?
: (Standard fiberglass/polyester resin boat). My boat was exposed
: to the elements while in storage for about a year more than I
: expected - believe it accumulated water in the cockpit/hatches
: for some months. In the two years since I've noticed the weight
: of the boat is quite heavy so suspected water absorption (?) -
: some rippling in the interior hull fabric but I believe the boat
: shipped new to me that way. Other than that I see nothing
: "obvious" that would tell me the boat has absorbed
: water. Is there any way verify if the fiberglass has absorbed
: water and thus weight over time? Perhaps that whole concept is
: overblown. Thanks JIM

Weigh it, should have a published weight of the stock boat, if the boat is within 10 % of that the laminite is likely dry. It's possible for laminate to pick up some water, but it's more likely if the water is warm and the boat has been left floating in it for a period of years.

Even if it is wet, it'll dry much more rapidly than it got wet, best is to store in a warm or hot place, garage in the summer time with a dehumidifier running in the room and the room closed up. Remove anything that's not glass and open/remove hatch covers. With the thin laminates of a kayak shoud be dry in a week or two. Weigh it again.

Bill H.