Has anyone used their watermaster in the salt water? My instinct tells me this would be a really horrible idea. Best case, I'd just have to deal with a lot of rust. Worst case, I'd show up weekend at Bernie's style on the coast of Japan in three months. Hooooowever. I've been doing a lot of running on Myrtle Edwards this year and have been amazed to see how many people are fishing off the Elliot Bay Pier. I know that I can't cast a fly rod from that platform, but I would probably have some good reach 20' off the shore hanging out in the WM. I wouldn't "plan" on going too far out... thoughts?
Why not contact Big Sky Inflatable and ask? I considered taking mine on a trip to Baja a few years ago for fishing inside protected bays but ended up just doing beaches.
I rowed my WM around a bay to get to the mouth of a small river I wanted to fish. Too far and too much rowing. Next time I'll run the jet boat as close as I can get and hike from there. Then there's that issue of tidal stage. Sg
Check your regs on fishing from a boat or flotation device in Elliot Bay. IIRC the Aquarium releases fish somewhere down the beach from the pier (on the other side of the silos), long story short there are nice sized silvers that can be caught right off the pier. My fav method as a kid used to be to sabiki rig up a couple of 4-5" herring, then rig them head down and fish those under a big bobber w/ stops so that I could jig or mooch it back in simulating the wounded baitfish thang. If you want to extrapolate that jive into fly friendliness I'd say fish a big flashy olive or chart. clouser with a mixture of dead drift and slow erratic strips on maybe an intermediate line. best-T
Watch for marine traffic, we all called kayaks ,long boards etc speed bumps when taking out customers boats from the marina.
The metal fasteners on a Water Master won't rust any worse than the metal parts on any other boat used in saltwater. Just treat it like you would a real boat (wash it down when you're done in the salt) and you shouldn't have any trouble.
I've sent that same question to Big Sky Inflatables twice via email and on their forum with no answers yet. My gut is 100% with what Alpine has stated and when it is estuary time I hope to take my WM out where the beach anglers are not and have a good time. After the good time I'll do the proper post saltwater cleanup like with any other craft or gear. Thanks for the good question and thanks to all with input that is timely for my upcoming plans. Jesse, when are we fishing?
When I borrow yours next month, I'll ride the ferry over to get it, then row back over to my side to save the money
With that information I rescind my offer to loan it to you. Consider it my effort to keep you safely out of shipping lanes and ferry routes.
You are young and irresponsible with your body and my boat...not young and invincible...I'm kindof a safety geek you know.
Cant help thinking that a kayak id just the obvious winner for this situation. Ahhhh a rationale for MORE stuff!
Given the number of rafts and dinghies that are used in the salt, I would think it's a non issue except for metal parts.
In that case you're good to go. I'll put a few cinder blocks in the cargo area just for good measure.
My dad lives on the sound and uses his Watermaster in the salt all the time. He'll row a couple miles to get to a fishing spot. It's slow going, but, he'll do it. No doubt about it, the salt is hard on anything that is metal, so, if you rinse down the boat after use, it should do just fine over the long haul. I would make sure you have your PFD and as others have said, watch for other boat traffic.
there are lots of zodiacs and avons in the salt-does not bother them at all. I would think it would be the same. I have had my pac 800 at the beach house for 8 years or so. Only promlem is that the grommits are rusty. I never clean or wash it off.
Dude, you tipped my canoe in Munn Lake. I'd stay out of small watercraft if I were you. Just sayin. :rofl::rofl::rofl:
