I need a durable easel for field work. My painting excursions are usually very short because I end up paining or sketching on my lap, because I do not have a field easel. The problem is that I pretty much live in a swamp! Seriously, I live in FL and the terrain is swampy- consisting of brackish estuaries, mangrove islands, or everglades swamp.  Plus it  rains frequently, and there is little to no warning- the sky just opens up. I have never had a field easel or "french" easel, so I don't know what I am missing, but I am getting too old to hunch over a sketchbook for hours on end. I am afraid to just buy something sight unseen from the internet (there are no serious art stores with easel displays near me).  I need durable. I need something with parts that are easily manipulated- not springy things or wingnuts that fall off in predawn hours while I am trying to set up in the dark and simultaneously slap mosquitoes before they carry me away.  I need something that will accommodate pastel or oil supports, and watercolor on panel or canvas. I need something with non ferrous hardware, or at least hi quality stainless steel so it wont rust and sieze up from salt water. I need a rugged heavy duty workhorse, not a society easel.

Any suggestions?