Decoys splitting at the keel slot...

[honkhntr]

Hey guys,

I have a buch of GHG Decoys, and have had for quite a few years. I'm noy sure if anyone else has this problem, but if they have I was hoping they might have an easy fix too... Anyway we're out hunting Sat. and I notice one of my Wigeon Drakes riding kinda funny, (fyi: 60/40 wter keel NOT weighted)
So I go out and check him out.... Well there is a small crack right at the front of the Keel Slot and he has been taking on water... Hence, the reason he is rididng funny. So I pull him out fo the spread and let him drain... A little while later I see an Oversize Pintail hen doing the same thing... Again same small crack right at the front of the Keel Slot. Now these decoys are prtty much babied, never thrown, always stored in 6 or 12 slot bags, the keels are never removed and never abused in anyway... So my first question is any idea why this is happening??? I am not looking to get these decoys replaced and not wanting to start a big issue involving customer service and all that... I love my GHG decoys and will buy more... So on to my second question.... Anyone else have this problem??? If so what did you use to make repairs???

Thanks
Honk

[David Rearick]

I would have to say I have never heard of or seen the problem before reading this post. I would assume a little silicon would fix it up, but is there any chance of posting A PIC to see what you are dealing with?

[Atlantic Flyway Gundogs]

I am having the same issue with my decoys..........right at the very top of where the keel snaps in......I have 7 decoys out of 42 with the same issue?????


Paul

[honkhntr]

Here are the best pics of the split I can get...
It starts inside the keel slot and runs from the left corner to the leg of the "R" in the word INSERT just to the right of the "O" in the word TO...
http://www.hunt101.com/img/453043.jpg

another one...
http://www.hunt101.com/img/453044.jpg

one more cropped...
http://www.hunt101.com/img/453045.jpg

The split in my Oversize Pintail Hen is identical...

Honk

[Rick Frisch]

This is the first I have heard of this.

All GHG decoys have a one year warranty. Customer Service can get you taken care of within this time period.

If out of warranty, I would take some two part epoxy and spread it in the groove and across the crack. Make sure and put the keel in after you do it. FYI - the keel may be permanently glued into place. I have also heard of people taking that expandable foam spray and filling decoys after they have been shot. If you do this, don't put in too much or the the decoy will look like the puff marshmallow man.

Thanks,

[honkhntr]

decoys are definatly out of warranty, by a couple years... And I am very happy with them... In fact with the deal I got on them I wouldn't have been real upset with them if they'd only lasted a year... I got them at GI Joe's in Oregon a 3 years back. They were display decoys, and I picked 'em up for a buck a piece... I ended up with 4 LS Mallards, 3 LS Wigeon, 4 OS Pintail, and 2 LS Pintail... for a total of $13.00!!!
Anyway back to the split... I am gonna try that stuff I use on my waders first... Aqua Seal, it should work well I think... then if that does'nt work I will try the 2 part epoxy...
Honk

[David Rearick]

Aqua seal should work, if not any two part epoxy or silicon would do the trick.

[Geez n Quackers]

I have had one out of 200 GHG floating duck decoys do this same exact thing. IMO, not bad for durability as I've also had Flams, Carrylites, and G&H's develop various cracks in the plastic over a period of years. It happens with plastic and the outdoors.

I have never had much luck with epoxy and silicones for sealing cracks and leaks. I use a small straight tipped soldering iron to fix cracks and leaks by slighty melting the plastic back together. Sometimes even adding a little extra plastic to the weak area. Though it requires some skill and touch to avoid greater damage, it is not that difficult or risky. And it will provide a permanent fix.

[oscar]

I have seen the soldering iron thing done before. Just heated it up and used a plastic lid froma butter tub to add some plastic to the crack. Seemed to hold up.

[Mallardbreath]

I have two dozen life size mallards and I have 1 hen and 1 drake taking on water through similar cracks. They too are past warranty.

[Jason Pollack]

Had a buddy with some life size mallards that were doing the same thing. He figures that since he did not slide the keels on and instead tapped them into the locked position that this caused it due to excess force. I told him to use some glue or caulk and it would probably work but I'm not sure if he tried it or not.

[jarang1128]

I've had 1 drake wigeon crack in a similar fashion. Matter of fact, picked it up this weekend, and it still had water in it from last year.