Portable Ice Shelter

[motorguide]

Anyone recommend a portable ice shelter. Here is what I would like:

Bench seat
Flip over style meaning that the tarp flips over your head and you flip it back up and it lays on itself for easy mobility
Enough room to fish two rods inside.

Thanks

[Backwater Eddy]

Take a look at the new Frabill Trekker 6127 Excursion once.

Split bench seat, 100 pounds total weight, lots of room to fish 2 angers, or even 3 if need be.

70 L x 50 W front fishing area.

83 L x 70 W x 67 H set up.

70 L x 33 W x 23 H folded for travel.

Should run about $450.

[W.W.]

Check out the "Fish Trap" brand; still pulling my original one after 30 years!

Yes I have more than one now but that one is still the one I use the most.

Keep in mind how you are going to use it as you make model decision; the smaller one man size is much easier to "tow" by hand (especially in much snow) and will hold all the gear you need. If you really want a 2-3 man be aware that it gets much harder to pull by hand. If you are using a sled/4-wheeler to tow the extra weight is not so important. I like to move A LOT and find that the one man generally suits me better, even with a snowmobile.

I have a 2/3 man but usually take a pair of 1 man sized shelters when fishing with another; it just works better for me. Yes its nice to have your fishing buddy close but its easy to tangle lines when in the same shelter. Speading out into 2 shelters solves that and also covers more water, especially when you are searching for fish. Once the fish are located then pull the shelters up close so you can talk if wanted (actually I/we use walkie-talkies).

If you look at the Fish Traps check out the "Trap Link". Its a zip-in connector that lets you connect various Fish Traps together into one unit while you are fishing; it seems to be popular around here for those wanting to fish together.

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Ice Fishing and Winter Sports Show is a good place to see about anything you would want in shelters or other equipment.

Good Luck and Stay On Safe Ice !!!!!!!

[B Squared]

I just got my first flip over last year. Nothing will replace my old hardside but these flipovers are so much better than the suitcase style. Can't believe I waited this long.

I looked at Frabill, Otter, Clam and Eskimo. I think the Otter and Clam shacks are the best and the prices reflect that. Mostly a matter of materials, not a difference in features or options.

That said, all of them are nice and for me it came down to the one that was the right size. I got a Clam X2 and it fits 2 men + 1 boy very well, yet small enough to hold heat reasonably well.

I was tempted to buy an Eskimo brand with a bench seat. I opted for the larger, more expensive Clam. If I didn't need the extra room, I think the Eskimo would have been great.

[AlB]

One major factor I had to take into consideration when I was shopping for a pullover shack was if it would fit into my truck. I have a four door shortbox Ford. Most one man shacks fit, but only one or maybe two of the two man models would fit. Just a thought.

[thump55]

Not sure why you want a bench seat? I have a Clam Fishtrap Pro and I love it. The swivel/slideable seat (with a back) is very comfy, plenty of room to fish two rods (I have even fished 3). Get the runners (or make some) and get the cover. I can even take my 5 year old's little lawn chair and set it up next to me inside. Mine is 5 or 6 years old and has held up awesomely in heavy use.

[rapp]

I am also looking to purchase a two man with seat & sled to hold my entire gear & ice auger ect. Must be able to be tow up 50MPH behind my snowmobile VK 540. Your shared experience good & bad with this type of fish hut would be appreciated. Thanks

[maxxum]

Rapp, your asking alot of a shelter if you plan to pull it at 50 mph. Chances are none of them will last long. I would definetly put runners on the one you buy. I have a fish trap Yukon. Great shack for two people. It has two bucket seats. Cabelas has one with a bench seat for about 400 bucks

[W.W.]

rapp.............


A few things to consider upon towing a shelter:

- Towing will bounce/beat your gear up some.

- Towing fast has been known to bounce stuff out of the sled !

- You'll probably want a cover, things towed behind get buried in slow/slop.

- I generally tow my sled with a solid tongue, rope swings WAAAAAY wider at speed; been known to flip the shelter if catches during a high-speed turn. Also a "fast" stop will crash the shelter into the snowmobile.

Yes my snowmobile will do 50+ too but things tow better at a more moderate speed.

I made a rack on the back of my sled that holds my 1 man shelter; on those trips when we make long runs at high speeds (especially through deep snow) everthing goes up in it. Saves a lot of frustration later.

A couple things I don't like about the rear rack however is that you must lift everything up into it and that also takes more time. We more lots so that is kind of a pain !!!!!!!


I'm trying to come up with a rack design that flips or folds down to the ice so I can slide the shelter in/out without needing to do lots of lifting.

If anyone has something that works I'd love to hear from you........


W.W.

[stampman]

Last year had my 2 man fish trap stolen with all gear aboard. Replaced it with a 2 man otter with a bench seat and like it more than the fish trap. Cushion bench seat and inside supporting rods are a major plus. The tub is deeper and has more room. Down side- weighs about 30 more pounds, but i pull with a quad so it does not matter.

[rapp]

Thanks for the info
I have made an equipment sled with 5/8 plastic sheet. Inside I have compartment divide with plywood one for the power auger, chain saw, fishing gear, gerry can and minnow bucket. The compartments for the power equipment are lined with blue styreform. Solid tow bar, made out of ¾ pipe hitch with a spring to absorb the impact and 5/8 steel (roof bolts) for runners. Work well but would like it all in a hut. My snowmobile will only do 50mph, work sled. I only travel these speed on groom trail & open lake. Was hoping the Clam, the HT Enterprise, or the Fabril would perform the same.Thanks

[Albertan]

I just spent yesterday (Rememberance Day up here) assembling a Clam Yukon TC shelter and an Otter Magnum sled. The Otter sled was much thicker and beefier than the Clam's base. I also found the Hyfax (sp?) runners on the Otter to be vastly superior to what the Clam offered. I'm sure the Clam is a great package, but if I planned on logging huge miles towing a shelter behind a sled/ATV I'd have to give the Otter the nod.

[W.W.]

Sounds like constructing your " equipment sled " has given you a good feel for what you want in a flip over shelter.

I think most of the major brands would work OK for you, sounds like you need to sit in as many as you can and see which one "fits your butt" the best.

Take a tape measure along, do some measuring to see how your equipment would fit and then make your choice.

Like I mentioned earlier, the Minnie/St Paul Ice Fishing and Winter Sports show is a great place to see LOTS of gear; there is also a similar show in New York state if thats closer.

Good Luck !


W.W. in Iowa

[mcdonalm]

I just ordered a flip shack form Canvas Craft in Rogers MInnesota. I have used frabill, clams and I tried ourt an Otter. I was impressed with the otter. The ony thisn is otter is not making the canvas shells any more. Canvas craft is making the heavier shell and it is designed to go on an otter sled.

Take a look at canvas craft They are AMERICAN Made

Mac

[rapp]

Thanks for the info. good web site I am going to call for more detail.