decoy bottom board

[wendell avery]

I have some Okoume marine plywood laying around and am thinking about using it for bottom boards on some cork decoys. Any thoughts?

 

[Joe Daly]

Over time all plywood delaminates. I used it in tails boards and it eventually failed.

Joe

 

[Pete McMiller]

I imagine it will work fine. I haven't had an issue with Okoume delaminating - ever. On the other hand I didn't put bottom boards on a couple dozen corkers - half black cork and half tan cork almost 20 years ago and they are still as good as new. Just make sure you seal the cork real good. I also used plywood for the tail boards on those decoys and they are also fine.

 

[george w]

If you are using BSC, a bottom board is an absolute must. It has a tendancy to chip and pieces shear off if it is not protected.[angelic]

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Wendell~

I use 1/4-inch AC plywood for tail inserts and bottom boards. I seal them - all sides and edges - with epoxy - both before installation and once the brd is ful;ly carved.

I have not used okoume plywood - but have read that it can be rot prone if not fully encapsulated in epoxy.

All the best,

SJS

 

[Bill Clark]

Wendell,Being a decoy tinkerer i have been using vinyl ? trim board for tail inserts, it measures about .25 " and is easily cut on the bandsaw. I don't use bottom boards on my black cork birds but i think the vinyl would work for that purpose also. Instead of bottom boards try coating the chine of the decoy with epoxy about 1" up it protects the chine from "line bite". These decoys are lightly used,stored in pocket bags not sure how they will hold up long term. If an idea fails it is fun to come up with a fix and make it right.

 

[wendell avery]

Thanks for all the input. More than one way to skin a cat!