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Best portable house?

DIESELDAN

By DIESELDAN
in Ice Fishing

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DIESELDAN Collaborator

DIESELDAN

Posted
Posted

Just wanted some opinions on portables, durbility, ease of set up,comfort during fishing etc. I most often fish with at least one other guy and have a four weeler and snowmobile so would usually tow it with something unless the ice is still too thin. Already have a nice wheel house so it would only get used when the ice or terrian wouldnt allow the wheel house. I think I'm missing out on some great early ice fishing by not having a portible and not being a big sitting on a bucket in the elements guy. Wondering what you portable guys think on brands and models and some other accessories I should look into picking up for fishing out of a portible. Thanx DieselDan

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Brad B Veteran

Brad B

Posted
Posted

Clams and frabill would be the top two choices of mine. both are good brands and have came along way.it's all a personal choice as to the brand you get. Ford/Chevy type of deal. I do own a shappel 1.5 rover man and a half flip over style house.

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leech~~ Grand Master

leech~~

Posted
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I picked up a new Eskimo Qwickflip II and really loved it at first. It had the bench seat was light weight and qwick to set and take down. I do a lot of running and gunning with a sled. After just 2 seasons I notice the canvas getting thinner and more see through and started wearing thin in the corners. It also had a very thin sled tub and I wore holes in about 3 places, and had good size dents in the front from pulling and hitting ice spots. Also 3 of the windows cracked. All this in just two season. I'm sure this unit would have lasted longer if you just loaded in the back of a truck and fished with it where ever you dumped it out, but it did not hold up well to pulling with a sled. I take it very slow when pulling because I don't want to mess up all my other gear inside. So, I now have a Clam Voyager which seems to have a thicker tub, so this year will be a good test of the two units. I sold the QFII already. Good luck finding the one that works best for you. wink

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Twins 57 Fan Community Regular

Twins 57 Fan

Posted
Posted

I have had Frabill, Shappell, and Clam products. I would strongly reccomend the clam product for quality and ease of setup and takedown.

I currently have a fish trap guide and love it. The bigger houses are fantastic too, but I don't quite need all that space. My good friend and brother in law both have the fish trap voyageurs and my other buddy has a yukon. Everyone is impressed.

They are also a good company to work with and their customer service is terrific. Good Luck.

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Brad B Veteran

Brad B

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I'm personally making the switch to clam since they are a local minnesota company. and have some nice products. the only negative thing I have with clam is that I just bought a new kenai model house and they decided to not put a door in it. the scout was like that at first then they made the scout with a door so I hope they will do this with the kenai. if they do I will buy a new replacement tent with the door and keep the original as a spare or I might just see if I can find a place like canvas craft to put a zipper in it so I won't have to buy a complete replacement tent.

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harvey lee Grand Master

harvey lee

Posted
Posted

Tough to beat a Otter portable. The new seating is nice and the tub is great as it is very tough and maybe the best on the market.

Canvas Craft also offer a insulated model that is a very well built house. They offer an Otter tube with it and the poles slide very easy. As far as the insukated canvas goes, maybe the best on the market.

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leech~~ Grand Master

leech~~

Posted
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Tonka, I did make some home made ones for my QFII and they lasted for a long time, but one 20- day on thin snow and more ice chunks, they came apart qwick. I did put the Clam Hyfax on my new Voy, already so hopefully that will make it last longer. I can easly put on a good 10 miles a day when running with the sled. So that puts a lot of wear on any plastic. I am thinking about making some metal wear bars next if these don't last long. wink

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crappiekid Collaborator

crappiekid

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Diesel Dan

Several positive comments on many shelters. My advise is goto FF Gander Or Cab (Local seller of multiple brand portables) Sit in one, collapse it, look at piping, seating = slide seats take up too much room, canvas thickness, sled, doors that zip and plenty of windows. I personnaly am a Frabill Guy. The arctic Armor is VERY durable! I owned a 2 man Xl ranger twin for 8 years. Not ONE HOLE! The fabric is very durable. Also black in color soaks up the suns rays on those sunny days. I just sold mine as i up graded to the insulated R 200. Cant wait to try it out!

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mtwalleye Enthusiast

mtwalleye

Posted
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I have always liked Clam houses (currently have a Yukon) but I am not impressed with the new models. I think they really messed up the seats by attaching them to the front of the sled. I like to be able to move the seat side to side or up and back. Will be looking at Otter or Frabil next year.

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Tyler23 Experienced

Tyler23

Posted
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but I am not impressed with the new models. I think they really messed up the seats by attaching them to the front of the sled. I like to be able to move the seat side to side or up and back.

i agree. i bought my first port. this summer as a hold over from last year (clam voyager) and am very pleased with it so far. i did some remolding to the inside and mine does have the sliding seats. if i had to look at the new models i would prolly head towards a otter

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shnelson Proficient

shnelson

Posted
Posted

Throw in another vote for frabill. Picked up a predator yesterday and am very impressed with my purchase.

I had a ranger xlt before this one, and that one held up incredibly well. My only complaints with it was that the wind would make its way between the sled and the canvas, and keep your legs nice and cold on those harsh days. They corrected this issue by adding an inside skirt that extends across the entire sled.

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