Seems to be some waterfowling interest firing up out there so thought I post what I have been doing in an effort to make life difficult and short for the canadas, maybe it will be of some assistance to a DIY mud splasher:
We all know that the grass is greener (even when you are getting oh so close to those rams…….arghhh) so after a month of walking up and down mnts kicking back in a dory and gunning over goose decoys started to seem pretty appealing. Turns out though that 4 floaters was not generating much interest with anyone but the dabblers. Unfortunately the only thing more beat up then my knees is my wallet, what to do?
Foamers appeared to be the answer. Specifically restle coated foamers. They are light, cheap compared to the 40 bucks it costs me to get a plastic floater to my door and fun if not time consuming. Below are some pics showing the process and here is the bill for the 8 extra deeks I have added to the spread, some materials (paint will stretch toward the next 8). If you got more time then money this might be for you.
Heads: 3 bucks a pop from Avery or 5 bucks a pop from fleabay. FYI 7 life size Canada goose heads fit in a USPS first class box. (I also made a couple of pure foam heads and put them on the crappiest bodies #9 and #10 I am sure the geese will not care but we'll so how long it takes for them to fall off/break when I grab em while whipping by at top speed.)
Paint: 3 cans of rustoleum from rona about 30 bucks
Foam: free from the ditches of beautiful FSJ
Sawdust: free from the local cabinet shop
Tight bond III glue 25 bucks worth. (you can use old latex paint instead, I did this for a couple)
Foam cutter: old guitar string and battery charger
BTW foam is a joy to shape, a rasp makes it a 20 min job to go from block to finish, BUT it is frigging messy. Not something to do indoors or in your garage. Best idea is to do it in your nieghbours yard
This is the wrong way to orientate foam
This is the right way, uses way less foam and 3 cuts is easier then 5
Very messy operation
Some keels I made, decided on the flat one as best, two pieces of pipe hold the string. Cedar is light and it is enough to right it.
Here is what they look like after the restle is complete, handsome
a bit of paint
CHild labor in the finishing shop.
Vintage Restle/herters inspired pattern
One of the "experimental geese" this is the 'poverty' version using old free latex, extra trashy ditch foam and all work done after dark with a 60 watt light bulb LOL.
If anyone out there has 'extra heads' check out my WTB ad, also If anyone local has a line on busted up/unloved foam I am trading baked goods and garden produce for 2 inch pink stuff. For the "mother load" of foam I am pretty sure we could arrange a late fall shoot over the finished product.
We all know that the grass is greener (even when you are getting oh so close to those rams…….arghhh) so after a month of walking up and down mnts kicking back in a dory and gunning over goose decoys started to seem pretty appealing. Turns out though that 4 floaters was not generating much interest with anyone but the dabblers. Unfortunately the only thing more beat up then my knees is my wallet, what to do?
Foamers appeared to be the answer. Specifically restle coated foamers. They are light, cheap compared to the 40 bucks it costs me to get a plastic floater to my door and fun if not time consuming. Below are some pics showing the process and here is the bill for the 8 extra deeks I have added to the spread, some materials (paint will stretch toward the next 8). If you got more time then money this might be for you.
Heads: 3 bucks a pop from Avery or 5 bucks a pop from fleabay. FYI 7 life size Canada goose heads fit in a USPS first class box. (I also made a couple of pure foam heads and put them on the crappiest bodies #9 and #10 I am sure the geese will not care but we'll so how long it takes for them to fall off/break when I grab em while whipping by at top speed.)
Paint: 3 cans of rustoleum from rona about 30 bucks
Foam: free from the ditches of beautiful FSJ
Sawdust: free from the local cabinet shop
Tight bond III glue 25 bucks worth. (you can use old latex paint instead, I did this for a couple)
Foam cutter: old guitar string and battery charger
BTW foam is a joy to shape, a rasp makes it a 20 min job to go from block to finish, BUT it is frigging messy. Not something to do indoors or in your garage. Best idea is to do it in your nieghbours yard
This is the wrong way to orientate foam
This is the right way, uses way less foam and 3 cuts is easier then 5
Very messy operation
Some keels I made, decided on the flat one as best, two pieces of pipe hold the string. Cedar is light and it is enough to right it.
Here is what they look like after the restle is complete, handsome
a bit of paint
CHild labor in the finishing shop.
Vintage Restle/herters inspired pattern
One of the "experimental geese" this is the 'poverty' version using old free latex, extra trashy ditch foam and all work done after dark with a 60 watt light bulb LOL.
If anyone out there has 'extra heads' check out my WTB ad, also If anyone local has a line on busted up/unloved foam I am trading baked goods and garden produce for 2 inch pink stuff. For the "mother load" of foam I am pretty sure we could arrange a late fall shoot over the finished product.
