Burlapping decoys and keel questions

Jim Bucko

Jim Bucko

Active member
I did 18 burlapped eider last summer and used mastic as the base for the burlap. Does anyone use something else that is not as heavy as mastic. It really adds the weight to the top side of the decoy.

Secondly I am using an oak keel that is 1 inch wide board and 1 1/4 inches below the bottom of the decoy. Any suggestions for keel size for swift currents? We hunted the Cape with the new decoys and when the tide was kicking (3 to 5 knots) the decoys dove, flipped and ran side to side.

Any suggestions welcome.

Jim/Fowlfishing
 
Jim,

Try the decoy forum at the "Refuge" website. Lots of foamer builders there.

Jim
 
Jim

While I have no experience with foamers, I think that with such a light body, although you do not need a heavy keel to make them self right, they would ride out the seas and currents better with a deeper and/or heavier keel. I've got some tan cork birds that self righted with a white oak keel not much bigger than you discribed with no lead added. They do fine in small lakes, but when out in some chop, they toss around a bit more than desired. I have learned to weight decoys a bit more, not giving them the minimum ballast, but splashing them around in the tub or wash sink when testing and giving them a little more weight to add to their stability.

Hope this helps
Chuck
 
As far as mastic goes I use a type 2 used for laying stone tile.I have used both the reg and premium ones from lowes or home depot.This mastic to me works the best.To your keels.I used a pattern from Toledo Decoys.The keel has a spot were a rotor was used to poor weight into that area.That helps to keep the decoy up in those ruff waves.
 
Jim,
Two things that might help,
1 burlap the bottom as well.
2 try using composite decking for the keels it is quite heavy.
I used to hunt Long Island sound in the vicinity of huntington and Oyster Bay harbors and never saw an eider are they common in these areas now ?
Bill.
 
I'm with Neil, try the restle coating. Thats what I did on some foamers I carved last year, 2 coats , & they held up good. Don Mintz poasts on the forum of www.foamdecoys.net & he shows an odd looking keel for river currents he says works well. I used the composit decking (trex) for keels on my blocks, & it worked good, its heaver than just wood, so no added lead to self right mine. I hope this helps.
Dennis
 
Thanks for the info guys.
Bill, seems the eiders are coming into the Sound more and more each year. I usually hunt them in the Cape but I am going to start chasing them in the Sound.
Jim/Fowlfishing
 
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