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Thermal or non Thermal Ice Shelter


Shedzebo

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Thermal or non Thermal Ice Shelters Are they worth the extra cost or is a person better off putting the money into a bigger heater? Looking to buy a portable for this season and this is the last thing I have to decide.

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Canvas Craft has some very nice insulated portables as I do own one. I believe Frabill also offers them.

From using mine I can say this. Yes it takes less propane and it does heat up very easy. Will you save enough propnae to cover the added cost, I don't know that this would happen.

I will say this, they are a very warm portable and I enjoy fishing out of one. The inside of some are also a white color and are very easy to light up for night fishing.

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I will never fish out of a non-insulated house again!. When it gets below 0 and start tearing down the house you can still pack it up, unlike a non insulated house that freezes solid because of all the moisture, No drippind on you during fishing, brighter, less wind flap. I agree 100% with Harvey Lee. The only way to go. To me it is like saying do I need a power auger, No you don't but try drilling alot of holes with a hand auger through 2+ feet of ice. it just makes it so much easier. Last year I was on LOW in -26 and about a 30 mph wind. 20 minutes after setting up I was fishing in just my shirt.

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I agree, it is the direction all portables are going. I wouldnt be surprised if in 5 years all you could get would be insulated.

You see the trend play out most evidently in Clam's new line up. Otter seems to be being left in the dust.

The Canvas Crafts are the best I have seen, and seem to be a good value (same price as a comparable otter).

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I do agree that things are getting better and better out there and this is the newest ang greatest thing, but are they worth all the hype like the short magnum rifles. what happened to the good old days when you walked out on a lake with a bucket and chisle and those guys fished all day long. Now its how fast can we get our limit and head home or to the bar. Its the same thing 50 years ago a 30-30 was just fine for elk bear and sorts but now if you read some articales its no enough for a deer.

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Hey thanks for all the good information. I'll be getting the new thermal bass camp from clam.

What’s up with the last Guy? I was just looking for some friendly advice. Must be one of those angry types with a bad attitude and lousy Job.

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An insulated house is great, but be prepared to grunt a bit more getting it on/off trailer or in/out of truck as they are quite a bit heavier.

In return, you will use less propane and deal with less sweating/dripping on the ceilings walls.

I wouldn’t suggest a large insulated house if you fish solo a lot.

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i think they are the way to go,......even when i do not have one!

So whats everyone thing of the CLAM thermals??

Also..talking about HEATIng.....i have a sun flower heater..and i am thinking about getting a Buddy heater or BIG buddy heater...that run off the 1 lb tanks...are they better??

what else does everyone use them for?

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An insulated house is great, but be prepared to grunt a bit more getting it on/off trailer or in/out of truck as they are quite a bit heavier.

The insulated fabric adds 5-7 pounds for a magnum size house. I rationalize it to a non-insulated house with hyfax on the sled weighs the same as an insulated house without hyfax on the sled. I have houses setup both ways and that's my opinion.

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Hey thanks for all the good information. I'll be getting the new thermal bass camp from clam.

Shedzebo, let us know how the thermal basecamp worksout ... I have a Eskimo Quickflip 6, that I love for it's size & portablity. But the condensation is burtal in cold weather ... curious if the clam thermals (hub style) have the same problem.

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I can't imagine how much better it would be to have the insulated, I have a frabill trekker 2 and it worked great at

-40 with strong winds with the big buddy. But the dripping does get old! I think a canvas craft will be my next with norpac.

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Iv'e had a Canvas Craft insulated double-wide for jeez, I think 6 years now. The first thing I noticed while out fishing the first time was NO DRIPS! I think once you try an insulated house, you'll never go back. Yea, it may be a little heavier, but there are way more pluses than any negatives that I can think of. I have a Big Buddy heater and rarely if ever have I had it set higher than low, even when it's double digits below zero. I have, however, had to bring my 20#er inside to keep the gas flowing when it gets that cold.

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The NorpacR2 Fabric with Thinsulate FR Insulation by 3M used by Canvas Craft and Frabill is very breathable and has some attributes, that in my opinion, set it far above any others on the market today.

The thermal insulation value per weight of the material is excellent, very light and highly thermal efficient.

Test results:

In a real life test, the Frabill R2-Tec fried the competition. The air temperature was -10° F. The wind chill registered -36° F. A pair of conventional single-ply ice shelters and the R2-Tec were outfitted with identical 9,000 BTU heaters. Shelter A shivered at only 10° F. Shelter B basically went into hypothermia at 8° F. Frabill to the rescue. The R2-Tec registered a balmy 48° F under identical conditions. Throw in a couple of anglers and the ambient temperature jumped to 58° F.

One key feature is it is fire resistant, it will scorch, but I know from experience it takes a lot to get to to melt or burn. By combining 3M’s Thinsulate Insulation FR with a flame-resistant inner and outer shell, Norpac has created a product that meets the CPAI-84 industry standard, a specification for flame-resistant materials used in outdoor fabric shelters.

R2-Tec also will not absorb and retain moisture like other forms of insulation will, so it will not freeze up and become stiff.

Allowing proper ventilation in any shack is key to reduce any buildup of moisture caused by the propane heater or condensation caused due to melting snow and ice. Venting allows accumulated humidity generated within to find a desired path to escape. It will take the easiest path of resistance, so give it one.

Offering generated humidity this pathway by design greatly limits the other most common concerns in a shack, frosted zippers, and condensation on contact points where the support poles and the canvas meet, and possible CO2 build up.

In short..NorpacR2-Tec..very good, and very handy stuff..Eh!

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Very good explanation, I have the canvas craft 4 man insulated, I will never change, No dripping/ freezing, Like I stated earlier once you fish on a cold day in an insulated house you will never fish out of a non-insulated house again when it is cold. unless your young, broke, stubborne, bull headed old senile etc. lol

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Swimbait2009, I put Reflectix in my Frabill that is non insulated and what a difference that made.

No dripping and less propane used!

Put some in my Trap also!

Real easy to put in. Buy at your local big box hardware store.

Worth the money!

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Finlander,

I agree with the reflectix put it in my otter cabin and the dripping stopped, so did the frosting up on the ceiling, windows still frost up but I can deal with that, a computer fan on the ceiling helps move the air around and keeps it a bit warmer, I also think that helps keep the condensation down as well.

Before the reflectix I used a Mr. heater/cooker and a propane lantern to heat the otter now I can do it with just the Mr. Heater.

WW

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I picked up a Frabil r2tec(blk & gray new version)house last year at the ice show, what an improvement over the non-insulated, I agree with everyone above, no drips, more even warmth, minimal canvas flapping that makes it much quieter to sit in even in LOW winds that blow every day. Well worth the extra money.

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I think the hype is justified. Two years ago I got an 8x8 insulated canvas craft.I still have the old lighter non insulated smaller version canvas craft..the non insulated one hasnt left the garage since. even when theres only two of us fishing. I compare it to 4 wheel drive trucks or power augers...you dont know why you waited so long and will never go back.

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