Sand???

[jthunts]

How many of you guys remove the sand from the keels to eliminate weight? Do you replace cap or drill out both ends and make water keel? I am considering doing it to all my walk-decoys. Just curious what you guys have done.

[J Kryspin]

On my hotbuys:

- removed the plug
- drained the sand
- drilled the keel to make it water keel

[CRAWLER]

With lifesize or oversize floaters, both duck and goose, does it make them ride differently or tip over in wind? I wouldn't mind dropping some weight from the boat.

[Jason Pollack]

We tried this on some hot buys and now we have to walk out and flip every one of them over after they are thrown. I wouldn't do it again.

[dbmickle]

Drained the sand, and made them into a water keel... For me, I do mostly walk in hunting on marshes... and dont throw my dekes, So there are no problems for me

[duckboy1]

a buddy of mine cut the keels off his OS mallards last year and they worked great for refuge hunting! moved great and were light weight!

[DeathDlr7VI]

That would depend on where and how you hunt. If you hunt small ponds, pot holes, small rivers, or creeks? Do you pack all your dekes into a bag and carry a long distance to your spot? Do you walk out and individually place your decoys instead of tossing? If the answer to those questions is "yes".....then your good to go!

I converted all of mine over because I pack all my dekes, walk a ways out to my spot and bring out as many dekes (species) that I can. I've always hand placed my decoys out instead of tossing them, so I never had an issue with them not staying upright. I did however, run into trouble in 20 to 30 mph winds. I was constantley running out to fix them.

I wouldn't recomend changing them all over. Save some for those windy days. I only cutt off the end with the cap and poured the sand out.......it fills with water and works just fine.

[Clayton]

On the old decoys in which you had to insert the keel, I just didn't use the keel at all. Saved a lot of weight and space plus made for decoys that moved great in little wind. The only time I had flipping problems was when hunting the open lake. Seemed to be worse of a problem on pintails and wigeon. Now with the new decoys I just drain out the sand.

[J Kryspin]

We tried this on some hot buys and now we have to walk out and flip every one of them over after they are thrown. I wouldn't do it again.

...or you don't throw them since they aren't weighted???

[NEADUCKHNTR]

To prevent tipping when you drain the sand leave the opposite end closed. Sit your decoy in the water before you throw it and the water in the keel will usually tip it upright. That worked with the older G&H water keel decoys we used.

[jthunts]

I only plan on doing this on my walk-in deeks. I don't care how much they weigh in the boat. One more thing to do before now and season.