Building a goose weathervane for pond

Someplace just to show that reel collectors do have a life
Post Reply
User avatar
Mike N
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3763
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:50 pm
Location: WV

Building a goose weathervane for pond

Post by Mike N »

A few years ago I saw this great goose weathervane in a book on cabins and decided to replicate it to put on my pond dock.

The original inspiration:


First, I laid out and cut the goose outline from 1/4” plywood:


Then started assembly:


Then I carved out the head with a draw knife:


Last edited by Mike N on Mon Jul 11, 2022 10:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
User avatar
Mike N
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3763
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:50 pm
Location: WV

Re: Building a goose weathervane for pond

Post by Mike N »

Added some black and white spray paint to the head and body:






Cut a piece of pipe to mount it on:
Last edited by Mike N on Mon Jul 11, 2022 11:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
User avatar
Mike N
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3763
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:50 pm
Location: WV

Re: Building a goose weathervane for pond

Post by Mike N »

Installed it on the pond dock 5 years ago. It did attract a few geese (second photo).

These photos are 5 years old. I’ll update with some current photos as it looks now after all these summers and winters. It still spins in a good wind but probably time to take it down for some WD-40 and re-paint.




Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
User avatar
john elder
Star Board Poster
Posts: 8541
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm

Re: Building a goose weathervane for pond

Post by john elder »

Nice, Mike! Marine plywood? I suppose the trick is to get the edges watertight to keep it from splaying over time.
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member

Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Paul Roberts
Super Board Poster
Posts: 792
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:35 pm

Re: Building a goose weathervane for pond

Post by Paul Roberts »

Nicely done, Mike. Love the Canada goose theme.
ORCA 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
User avatar
Mike N
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3763
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:50 pm
Location: WV

Re: Building a goose weathervane for pond

Post by Mike N »

To answer John’s question, I did not use marine plywood nor specially caulk or seal the edges. After 5 years here are two photos I took this evening. The spacers seem to have prevented any significant delaminating, but the weather has faded the simple spray paint I used.




Here are a couple other rustic items I put up over the years along the gravel pond road:


Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
Post Reply