New Portable

[bopper4]

I know that this is like beating a dead horse but I am buying a new portable for the upcoming season. I am torn between the Voyager TCX or the Yukon. I fish primarily by myself but would like to have enough room for two if need be. Will also be towed behing my sled. Any reccomendations? How about 2009 yukon vs 2010 yukon?

[leech~~]

bopper, I went from a Eskimo qwik flip II and bought a Voyager. It's new so I haven't tried it on the ice yet, but it is like sitting in a cavern compared to the 2 person qwik flip. The only thing I may not like it that with the smaller qwik flip II I could sit on the seat and reach both ways and put the poles up in down. Now I have to either grow some longer arms, or get off my butt and go from side to side to put them up and down, which because I move a lot can add sometime per setup. I also pull mine with a sled, and it is a lot heavier with the 3 swivel seats in it then the qwik flip to pull. But I may take seats in and out if I'm by myself. I only worry a little more about the added weight when out in the deep snow and slush! But it's should be a nice house with lots of room. If you get one, look me up for a run and gun trip sometime. Leech~~.

[NCLaker]

You will love the extra room of the Voyager if fishing with 2+. But it is a bit of a beast to lug around. I opted to go with the big flipover and also get a 1 man flipover for my solo trips.

If you don't think the Voyager is too big to load/unload from your vehicle - I would go that route, otherwise You'll probably be fine with the Yukon.

[bopper4]

I have been fishing out of an old fish trap guide for like 10 years. It has been wonderful for set up and some run and gun but it was miserable to spend any amount of time without being able to stand up.

[MuskieJunkie]

I own a Voyager and a Yukon (just haven't sold the voyager yet). If you fish by yourself a lot you probably don't need all the room the Voyager has. I downsized because I rarely have 3 guys and the Yukon fits in my 4runner MUCH better than the big Voyager. The added elbow room is nice but it's a beast to load in the truck by yourself.

As far as the new Yukon vs last year. The new one is insulated and $100 cheaper than last years (if I'm reading clams HSOforum right). I'd deffinetly go with a new Yukon if I was you.

[Seabass77]

I would go with the Yukon. Same width as the guide but with the height of the voyageur. Sounds like exactly what you are looking for.

[Northlander]

I would go Yukon but I would also look into the Otter Cabin. Better tub and the new poles and canvas are second to none.

[scoutWBL]

I fish in a yukon but am in the market for a small solo house. If you plan to fish alone ofter the yukon is more than enough.... plenty of room for 2.

[CrappieNut]

ive had the Voyager for 4 years now and still love it. two years ago my dad bought a yukon to fish in our ice fishing league. guess which house we use every time we are not competing "Voyager" much more room

[PTocko]

Just my two cents - that's about how much its worth. As you said you are going to be pulling with a sled most of the time - you will not notice the heavier weight of the Voyager except when loading and unloading and they are not THAT different. That being said, how often are you going to fish with 3 people? The Voyager is a true 3 person and the yukon is a big 2 person (that can fish 3 albeit a tight fit). If I was not fishing 3 often - hands down the Yukon.

My go to house is the clam scout, just picked-up a Nanook Thermal for my two person. Fished out of a clam guide, never noticed the height constraint, never stayed in one spot long enough to get uncomfortable - that's the point of the scout/pro/guide/nanook style house - run and gun. Only compromise I made to weight was getting the thermal but I think I'm going to like this alot and what's 10 lbs?? - plus I'll save weight on the heater because a regular buddy should keep it plenty warm. In any case - I think you're looking at 2 of the nicest houses in that space so I don't think you can go wrong. Good luck and think ice. Paul

[MinnGuy]

Have you thought about an X2? I just upgraded to the X2 from a Guide. Loved the Guide but needed more room. In my humble opinion, the X2 is designed and built better than the new models.

[bak2MN]

I have a X2 and it is built heavier than most.

[Woody61]

I just looked at a new yukon tonight, nice shelter perfect for what I was looking for but one major drawback, to me at least. The seats bolt in are not adjustable front to back plus it adds to the height when folded down. I like to leave my shlters in the back of my truck but this one is to tall to fit under the tonnneau cover. Will have to wait till next week to check out the Otters.The price tag is more appealing than the Otters though.

[MinnGuy]

X2 seats slide front to back and can be moved side to side. Definitely too tall to fit under tonneau cover. Might be tough finding a flip over that low.

[Chef]

Otter by a long shot...

[PTocko]

The "debate" between Otter, Clam, Frabil etc is like debating Lunds, Alumacrafts, Crestliners. All have different features that may (or may not) be important to you. I have owned otter and I have two clams (1 new so have not fished out of it yet). Otter has the better tub (of these two brands) but tubes and canvas they have been passed up (especially when you factor in their high price). A better value (IMHO) in the Otter line up are the set-ups from Team Wild. I have a friend with a newer otter (mine was a 4 year old resort magnum) in the blue ice camo - sharp looking house, but very so, so in terms of finish. That being said, we still caught fish and it works for him. In the end, just get something and get out there. Good Luck. Paul

[bopper4]

Thanks for all the input. I may head over to reeds this weekend just to take a look and have a seat in all the houses. I am not a big fan of the seats that dont adjust. I know I amn purchasing a Fish Trap for sure. I guess the best way is to sit in and see them all. I was thinking about the x2 but I see they no longer make them. They just have the thermal or the Denalis.

[MinnGuy]

Even though the X2 is discontinued, you can find one for a decent price.