Spring Opening

We got out kayaks out for the first time this spring. We have an adventure island and a revolution. We used them everyday for about 3 months last summer. Most of the use was on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach. We rinsed the boats, drives, and all accessories prior to storing. Much to our surprise when we got them out there was visible signs of salt water damage. Including sand in many places. We stored the kayaks upside down on a rack built to accomadate their size. We did not open any of the hatches, but the end plugs and scupper cups were open. There was nasty smelling water in both of the boats. The boats are less than a year old. We were particularly surprised with the water in the boats since they were upside down. They were store in an unheated garage.
Any suggestions for storage next year???

I always store with the hatches open for ventilation. You might try attaching some zinc to any metal surface where residual or ambient moisture might create galvanic corrosion. It should serve as a sacrificial anode and corrode first. Some older pennies contain zinc -- they may work.

It probably wouldn't hurt to hose the inside of your boats out at the end of the season to remove any salt residue.

Ok, so what you are saying is hose out the interior of the kayaks and then put some old pennies (prior to 1960?) in them?? Interesting....thanks!

Your zinc source would have to be in contact with the metal you want to protect, either directly or through some other conduit.