Grounded - C&C Requested

This is my first attempt at a sepia-like image. C&C appreciated.

I love sepia processing but I can't make out what that thing on the right is...and that bothers me...

I can read NO WAKE on it but I live inland and have no experience with anything that is water related...is that a buoy ?

It is a buoy. I have one shot pulled back a bit showing more of the buoy, but I ended up liking this one where the words were more clear better.

I like the shot from a framing and technical perspective, but the problem with sepia on an image like this is the inferred discoloration of the water. It's a beach, so the sand is actually not far from the color you'd expect, but then the water ends up "feeling" murky/muddy.

Just something to think about. Sepia loses some of the crispness of B+W, so the subject has to have the right feel, I guess, for me to like the image in sepia.

Thanks for the feedback xepherys.

I don't like it, sorry. Even if the image was B&W it wouldn't be interesting. There's nothing particularly interesting about the buoy or all the out of focus water. Perhaps a different composition could serve to make the buoy a better subject.

No need to apologize. If we all agree on something, then it is likely one or more of us aren't thinking. I have had mixed reactions from the in-person folks I have showed this to ranging from "meh!" to "I love it!".

Thanks for the comment!