Bruce,
No question is "stupid". Your reeds are steel. Guess what happens to steel when exposed to a salt air environment?
Yep, they'll rust up in a heart beat. The closer to the beech you are, the worse it is for your reeds.
You can play indoors with no problem. I have a very good friend who played a gig at Holly Beech once, a long time ago. Within a month, his reeds were ruined and had to be replaced.
Hope that gives you some info to consider.
Jude Moreau

Jude,

You're right there on Sabine Lake and Danny Dyson is right there on Big Lake. Those are both salt marsh environments.Like you say, don't leave them outside too long. I have taken my Le Capitaine down to Rockport many times, with never a problem yet, but I admit that I would have second thoughts about taking it right down to the Gulf Beach, cause that air is loaded with brine. Danny said that he kept one in his bathroom, right next to the shower, for a year, just to test how moisture affected the mechanisms. No problems. Just have to use a little caution. You're right though, if you don't think salt won't eat right through steel, be it galvanized or stainless, just take a look at my boat trailer.
JB

Has Danny stopped building? I know he had more important things to tend to. He hasn't renewed his web address. My LE Capitaine is still cranking it out.
He made good boxes that us beginners could afford.

Craig