Need Help, Ultimate Ice Fishing House

[Chip Steensland]

I know it is time to think about the non frozen water with this nice 40 degree days in MN, but I need help for one more icefishing thing. I am a student at the U of Mn and my group and I are in a Project Management class that our final projec is to build a Ultimate fish house. I am looking at the Ultra Shack/King Crow type with the retracatable wheels. Our job is to have a plan and cost out the shack. I am looking for suggestions from people that have built one and pictures if possible.

Here are the basics of the house so far. I would like a 8X16 or so (no thinner than 8 feet). I would like to sleep about 4 people and fish may be six (6 to eight holes). I have talked to people on the Ice fishing site (fishingmn.com) and have got some ideas but still need some help.

Other questions I have is am I insane to build it my-self. I would like to buy the frame and shell and then do the interior work my self. Let me know if I am barking up the wrong tree. Thanks for you help in advance and lets pray for open water bacause I have a new Warrior Falcon that needs to get wet!!

Thanks,
Chip

[Pitts]

As students you must have lots of dough because a plain jane ultra shack of that size looked to be about 9,000 $ If moneys no object go for it.
Otherwise I would be looking into a cheaper and lighter pull behind to see what some young sharp minds can come up with.
Rew had a good Idea with the sandwich affect on 2" foam board with 1/4" or 1/8" fiberboard or something similar. Then using the panels to build a house with no framing members such as studs or joists.
Another Idea is to make the front very aerodynamic to reduce drag when pulling.
An Insulated area with a temp. controlled 12V fan for a refridgerator.
Insulated slide in hole shafts for hole that seal well to the floor.
A light at every hole that when a fish takes the bait on a rattle reel the light comes on to tell you which hole it is and so you can see to get up and go over there and land a fish.
A aireated bait well built in that uses water from one of the holes same for the livewell.

There are many amneties that can be added.
You could also buy a 16' camper trailer and cut holes in the floor and have all the comforts of home.LOL

Dream dream dream

Pitts

[Sweep t]

Last year I built and 8 x 12 with retractable wheels. 2 bunks, Heater, Oven and stove, lights, rattle reels, solar charger,4windows, Well insulated, for about 3200.00. It will be a fun project if you have some good knowledge of constuction and steel. Have fun.

[Chip Steensland]

Just keeping it on the front page for a couple more days.

Thanks,

Chip

[Goldpig]

I am in the process of designing one myself. So far, I have the structural components layed out in aluminum. I could forward you a JPEG if you think it might be of use. I only wish that I could have worked on projects like that when I was at the U, not to mention be able to afford a boat while in college.