Sitting Pretty
The art and science of decoy floatation and stability.
By: Del Herbert
Sitting Pretty
Most classic waterfowl decoys had a design that was unique to its geographic area and intended use. Many shallow-water birds had rounded bottoms and no keel. Self-righting was not a requirement for inland marshes and shallow waters. On the other hand, big-water decoys benefitted from flat bottoms, straight sides below the waterline, and deep keels. In this article, I’ll discuss factors that influence buoyancy and stability, and the reader can decide how to use them in the design of their decoys.