..She Floats!!!!

Phil Nowack

Phil Nowack

Well-known member
Andrew L came over and we put the 2 man and a dog layout in the water for the first time. There is a small lake close by that has some shallow areas.

To be honest, I was a little nervous about how difficult it would be to get back in the boat. It truly is more awkward than heavy. I did break a bit of a sweat loading it, but it was quite warm out! I think we spent more time securing it to the boat to go down the highway. I certainly need to make a cradle for it.

The bow rides a bit high. They dog ramp was not on it, but Otter stayed home, so it was ok. Since Andrew forgot his selfy-stick, there are no pictures with both of us in it. We saw a few birds as well.. maybe a dozen mallards in total, and 18 Cans... Today was not a day of hunting.

All in all, I think this might be quite dangerous... for the birds. I am wondering , if I should use a different color of paint...


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And look at all the toe room!!!!!



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jim bosanny said:
Looks like a good spot for a nap when the birds are slow. Should I bring my own pillow.
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and teddy bear... just don't be surprised when you get awaken by Otter's tongue in your ear!
 
Nice job Phil, it sure is fun to see her floating. Should be deadly. "I love it when a plan comes together" Of course you know a boat is never done but you have a very nice start.
 
Good morning, Phil~


Your new "battery" looks sweet!


re trimming her: I would make some weights to hang off the offending end - tied with slipknots to those handles. Or, you could get a couple of those Canvasbacks from Worth and put them to their intended use. Either would ride in the Mother Ship when not deployed.


Some of the original battery decoys had holes bored/cast through their sterns so a line and float would allow them to be retrieved. As with any battery, it's a good idea to have a way to offload ballast in a hurry when the seas kick up.


BTW: In addition to the selfie-stick, Andrew should also bring a drone next time - so we can enjoy a bird's eye view of you both in situ.....


All the best,


SJS

 
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That's pretty cool Phil. Your mention of weight made me think of when we sink box hunted and a five gallon bucket of concrete was used at weight under the sink box (hung from an eye bolt) and then weight was added inside the box to stand on. I'm sure something similar could be done like Steve suggested above if it became a problem.
 
Very nice job, I have never hunted from a layout. Will you have a third person to run the tender?
I would be happy to come over and volunteer [;)]
Bob
 
The beauty of this, is...if the water ever goes down... That I do not need a tender.. using it in wadeable water .. dog to retrieve
 
Phil, That is a. Very nice set up, and in the shallow it?ll be lethal for the birds.. Can?t wait to see the drone footage!
 
Phil Nowack said:
nope. I don't think it will really matter.... we will see though
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If it does, some cast iron duck decoys may help. I thought there were some for sale on a post.

As for the paint, breaking it up with a darker uneven sprayed shade my help, due to the large size of the box. Just a thought...
 
Phil Nowack said:
Worth was selling cast Iron decoys.. .but they are sold.
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You could make up some easily. Cast a Urethane foamer full of lead shot (mix lead and foam so the foam density is high and serves to bond the lead). I'd think that each decoy would exceed 50 pounds. That would be awesome and you are all set up to do it.
 
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Good morning, Tod - and Phil~


Now you've got me wondering if anyone (NASA ?) makes closed-cell urethane "flotation foam" in 491 lbs/cubic foot (as in cast iron).....so anyone could mold the most traditional "wing ducks". Just mix Part A with Part B....



(another truly traditional approach was to pour lead into the back of a wooden wing duck)



All the best,


SJS

 
Ya might want to try adding a strip of canvas or polyethylene at the bow.Let
it hang into the water to eliminate the shadow.
 
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