portable ice shelters

[tenderfoot]

I'm looking for some advice around portable ice shelters. Here's my situation: I fish frequently with my 2 young sons, who frequently get cold. I walk in to several of the lakes I fish, so portability and weight are important. At the same time, I need some room for the 3 of us on the inside.

I've read previous posts that flip tops (fish traps, etc.)are the way to go, especially from a setup standpoint. My concern is they don't appear to have the room that some of the "suitcase" styles have. I've been looking at the Shappell shelters and they look pretty roomy, lightweight, and easy to set up. I'm looking for some opinions on this topic and feedback from anyone who owns or has fished out of a Shappell. Previous posts on this topic have been pretty limited, so c'mon everyone, give me your 2 cents!

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Marken]

I've owned a Shappel MinuteMan for almost 15 years and I've never had a complaint about it. It's only 4x6, but it fishes two people fairly confortably. It still has the original wood floor, but it makes the unit quite heavy. I've looked at the new ones and was really impressed with the quality and the price. And they should be easy to tow with the lighter plastic floor. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[rngrfshm]

Hi,

I had the same situation. I have 3 boys ages 3,6,9 and I went with the Fish Trap Voyager. Very roomy and the nice thing about it is the Zipper Door in the front. One Plus that the Voyager has that the competitors dont is the Air vents on both sides. I looked at other flip models and did not see that feature on any of them. Real nice and I used that several times. The Fish Trap like mine even with a small heater is very comfortable in it and heats up quick. I have a Mr. Heater and had to use these vents to cool it down in the inside as mine was on low. The Artic Armor keeps the heat very well. Lots of Room to fish comfortably with (6) 10" holes in it. I have no regrets yet. Very nice. With young kids what ever model of flip over you get, get one with a Zipper or Door in the front. I have pulled this model great distances by hand and I have arthritis. So it gives you an idea. Pulls very easy.

[RB]

I purchased the FishTrap II this year. It sets up and down quickly. You can do it in less than a minute by yourself. If you want to move just lift the top and you are ready to go. You don't have to break it down to move. You could remove the seats ( which lift out) and place a piece of plywood over the frame which would allow three to sit. The way it is constructed you don't have to carry extra "buckets" to sit on. Add a heater and you can be very comfortable inside. I attached to the pull rope one of the harnesses they use to pull a deer. It makes pulling the sled very easy and both of your hands are free when walking. The sled is deep enough that you don't need to worry about anything falling out as you walk.It is light so I can slide it in and out of my van by myself without any trouble. Plus I'm sure it is not as noisy inside when the wind is blowing compared to some of the units where you can stand up inside.

[J_Miller]

After using many ice shacks I would have to go with the Ranger made by frabill. It has a flip over top with a nice built in bench with large storge, and seats three guys nicely. Frabill Portable shacks are very lite and easy to transport, not to mention the material is strong. frabill nomaly sells out early season and you can't find them, but if you are interested in frabill products send me an e-mail and I will get some info to you. This shack has only been out a few years and is the hottest selling shack. Good fishing to all


www.millersretreat.com

Jeff

[AquaMan]

Check out the ones made by Shoremaster. (www.boatcovers.com) With kids especially, the wood floor models will be a blessing since the plastic bottomed ones offered elsewhere will turn your fishing trip into a skating event. Snow on the boots are trecherous with plastic. Must be why all kids sleds are plastic.

Also, the wooden floor models allow you to cut holes where you want. They also provide more room inside since the edges are flat to the fabric. I have 6 holes in my 6x8. (Folds to 4x6) I rarely use #5 and #6, but when we are panfishing with little ones, its nice to have a shelter if they get cold.

Best of luck!


AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[jimbo2]

The one, the only, OTTER! No matter what size,there are no towable portables that compare!!! ease of use, durability and price.
Either the Otter brand house or the canvas craft that fits the otter sled, ther is no equal!!!!
hows that, I gave you way more than 2 cents worth!

[ddt]

>The one, the only, OTTER! No
>matter what size,there are no
>towable portables that compare!!! ease
>of use, durability and price.
>
> Either the Otter brand house
>or the canvas craft that
>fits the otter sled, ther
>is no equal!!!!
> hows that, I gave you
>way more than 2 cents
>worth!
>


SO very true,canvas craft on otter sled.
Before you buy,ck them out.===ddt

[Mattman]

The Otter!!!!! Can even get one that flips down on both sides. Just got back from a Canadian Laker trip and its hard to believe all the gear you can haul in that thing and do 40 mph across the lake towing it behind a snowmobile. Tough as nails!

[Tenderfoot]

Thanks for the info, guys. I still haven't made a decision, but I do have a better idea what to look for. I live in a fairly remote area, any advice on good websites to considering purchasing from?

[Mattman]

www.canvascraft.com

[jimbo2]

Don't forget to look up www.otteroutdoors.com!!

[The Great Guide]

I also vote for the Otter II. It fits over the Otter Magnum sled. Set up time is 3 mins and breaks down just as fast. My seld holds my Lazer auger, two lawn chairs, minnow bucket, 10# tank & heater, 5 gal bucket, shovel, and lunch. Otter also makes a nice cover for it. The Otter II is also 74 inches high so there is plenty of head room to stand up if you want to. It fits nicely in the back off a 6 1/2 foot pickup. TGG

[ddt]

>Thanks for the info, guys.
>I still haven't made a
>decision, but I do have
>a better idea what to
>look for. I live
>in a fairly remote area,
>any advice on good websites
>to considering purchasing from?


Canvascraft====OTTERSKIN===The owner
is the person you will talk to. They
ship to your door.

[Dave S]

Try http://www.canvascraftinc.com/ Previous website showed me paintings.