The Best Portable Ice Shanty/Cost No Object

[downriverbob]

Hey all,

If cost is not object what is the best portable ice shanty in you mind on the market today. I am possibly looking at a "Lodge" made by Muskegon Awning. The only problem is that if they don't get an order for 6 or more that they don't run production. They have a tentative order for 6 but are waiting for that individual to verify his order. It is mainly for my wife and myself, we aren't kids so would like one that has a floor so are feet stay warm, and ease of set up is important . I have a 2 up sled to tow so weight is somewhat important only when ease of handling comes into play. Any suggestions would be helpful, I have done a search of past post but would like to hear whys and wherefore of your suggestions. Thanks to all in advance !

BOB

[Backwater Eddy]

Look up Wilcraft on the net.

www.thewilcraft.com

That may be the critter your looking for?

[blueroof]

Snobear ! http://www.snow-bear.com

For the best trap type shanty (no floor however), I'd suggest an otter lodge from Canvascraft with a Norpak insulated shelter, or the Frabill r2Tec model# 7080 Norpak insulated trap. If you don't want insulated, I'd suggest an otter lodge or a clam X2.

The shanties with floors are all pretty bulky and cumbersome to haul. If you really want one, tow-sleds can be made to haul them behind a sled. I'd suggest a clam suitcase style or a Canvascraft suitcase style. Or maybe check out the Canvascraft ATT shelter trailer, you could probably rig up some skis on the wheels and tow behind the sled.

The Wilcraft is pretty neat, but just a one man fishing rig IMO. You can't really fish the 3 holes with any swimming baits, or when catching any number of fish - they are just too close. The rigs are sweet though for extending your ice season!

[Burr]

You sound like a perfect match for a snobear. When you want to move, you don't even have to go outside.

You did say cost is of no concern, so I don't have to tell ya to sit down first. They're nice.

[Matt V]

The "Lodge" from Muskegon Awning is the best one that I have seen. They are super easy to set up and are warm. There is a ton of room for 2 people, I sometime's fish with my wife and 2 kid's in it. The only complaint that I have is that they are heavy to drag out if there is a lot of snow. But, if you already have a snowmobile that is not an issue. The floor in it is really nice. With a Mr Heater going we normally don't even need bib's or a jacket. Once in a while you will see a used one for sale, but they never last long.

[walleye-on]

Snobear ! http://www.snow-bear.com

For the best trap type shanty (no floor however), I'd suggest an otter lodge from Canvascraft with a Norpak insulated shelter, or the Frabill r2Tec model# 7080 Norpak insulated trap. If you don't want insulated, I'd suggest an otter lodge or a clam X2.

The shanties with floors are all pretty bulky and cumbersome to haul. If you really want one, tow-sleds can be made to haul them behind a sled. I'd suggest a clam suitcase style or a Canvascraft suitcase style. Or maybe check out the Canvascraft ATT shelter trailer, you could probably rig up some skis on the wheels and tow behind the sled.

The Wilcraft is pretty neat, but just a one man fishing rig IMO. You can't really fish the 3 holes with any swimming baits, or when catching any number of fish - they are just too close. The rigs are sweet though for extending your ice season!


Go to http://www.snow-bear.com/ and you will see the current, ultimate portable shack in existence today. Also a wonderful adventure vehicle. Nothing comes close to this kind of functionality on ice today!

[downriverbob]

Hey Guys,

Some interesting ideas but I am basically looking for the best built ice shanty that I can tow behind my sled. I am leaning towards the "Northlander" made by Canvas Craft, look to be well made, a little heavy but I will either build a sled or but it on top of my tub type sled.

BOB

[walleye-on]

Sorry I did not understand what kind of sled you were after. The nicest portable to be towed that I have fised in is the Otter Lodge. It has removable, comfortable seats, it is the flip-over style with a heavy duty Otter sled under it. For towing, there is an optional solid hitch that can be removed for pulling by hand with a rope.

I know a film crew that fishes all over the place and uses these sleds and had got several seasons out of the Otter and counting.

Canvas Craft also makes this type of shelter on an Otter sled. I am not sure if Canvas Craft makes the Otter shelters though. Maybe someone else will.

If money is no object, the $1700 flip-style Eskimo is the most expensive shelter of this type. It has heavy-duty, insulated material that it is constructed of which, I guess, is intended to justify the price.

[no1son]

In your shoes, I would go for a two part unit. First the best two or three man insulated flipover you can find, and since price is no object definitely demand to go through the set up and take down. One big enough to be comfortable but not so large as to be difficult to handle.

But then I would have a floor with fishing ports custom built for it to flip over, and you might as well get some kind of mat for your feet in the process. If you get a sled type, perhaps some type of fold down floor that can be hindged onto the proper part of the sled and goes down before the cover is flipped over. That is an accessory to the flip type floorless sledded shelters that I have not seen before, but should be available somewhere or not that difficult for some professional carpenter to make specifically for whatever shelter you decide on.

You get the best of both worlds.

[duckbutter]

Last year I bought a Clam Thermal X, and in my view it is the best portable I've seen, and certainly the best I have ever owned. If you room for more than two people, it is not the shack you are looking for. For one or two people it has all the room in the world. I carry a Cocoa mat to put on the ice under my feet to keep them warm. It is the quietest and warmest shack. In zero weather, I end up turning a little buddy heater off--it gets too warm, and the shack retains heat very well. My 2 cents