Thanks All - by the way, my boat is not wood, just a standard all-fiberglass british sea kayak with a combo of glass fabric and chopped mat - heavy layup. To me it's noticably heavier than similar boats I lift. Having left it collecting some water for a full season (had it under a poorly functioning currogated/plywood thing I rigged up in the back yard, was using a different boat that year, and came to check the other rarely) - so just assumed the weight could be due in part to water absorption. There's some rippling if the interior hull fabric but likely a result of original hand-layup. The weeping or discoloration are things I haven't noticed. I'll check it closely to make sure. From the comments you all added - my fears have been substantially allayed. It's just a freakin' heavy boat. Thanks JIM