I have been using a Carlson Championship Call for over fifteen years, it has a great sound and range. Also the instructional cd is very good. https://www.marshmutt.com/shop/carlson-championship-calls-duck-calls/carlson-calls-competition-volochoke/
I have had a Powertac for over a year now use it pretty often have not been gentle with it, got a good work out during Sandy.
Price is right and very bright also waterproof.
How about trying a couple of large truck inner tubes and going from one to the next to work your way to the shore line.
Then to put out decoys try a long line rig and toss out about a one pound weight and keep other end on shore.
Nothing better than trying to figure out how to get to where the...
Sounds like a nice science project. When you see the non stirring control start to freeze you may want to move
the temperature probe to the one with the stir motor, due to the fact that the motor may be creating heat and keeping
the temperature slightly higher.