Otter bench or swivel seat

[JSK76]

I just sent my Clam Yukon down the road and I'm going to replace it with a Canvas Craft with the Norpac tent. I would like to know how people like the bench seats vs the new black swivel seats. I do like the idea of being able to take one of the swivel seat out to make it lighter when it's just me.

I don't suppose any one know the weight of the bench seat for a med otter sled?

any pro's or con's from some users would be great.

[Brad B]

I don't know the exact weight but for a example a wild1 with the bench is 74LBS but the same house with a swivel seat weighs 58LBS(granted this example is a one man house). So based on this you can figure a bench seat will add atleast 20LBS to the total weight to a larger house. If I were you I would get the swivel seats since like you said you can remove one when not needed to reduce total weight. Another thing to remember is the bench is only 48" wide not the total length of the 66" sled.

[PerchJerker]

I've used both. The bench is nice but I like the swivel seats, seems to make it easier to get at the stuff in the sled.

[GrizzlyAdams]

I just added the black swivel seats to my otter this year and absolutley love them. They are very comfortable. I have not used the bench seat but have been told that it is not as comfortable as these swivel seats. My vote goes for the swivel seats and as said above it is easier to take one out for solo trips. Good luck.

[hill7410]

I am going to say go with the bench. With the bench you can lift it up and your sled is open for you to access anything without having the bars in the way. Also i put my measuring tape on the back side of the bench. It is serves as cleaning board too. I have been able to take a few naps on the bench when the fish are not cooperating. So my vote is for the bench but the i think the seats are a bit more comfortable.

[fishwacker1]

I also like the bench. When your fishing by yourself it acts as a great table for tackle, radio etc. Then while fishing tandem you can harp to your buddy to slide over give me some room. I find the ottor bench comfortable.

[Northlander]

Get the new seat design and you will love it. Way easier to access your gear with seats than the bench. Only reason I would ever get a bench is if I was going to get lazy and lay down on it. They arent worth the extra weight. Plus you cant use a Sportsmans Caddy if you have the bench. The caddy is a awesome storage unit and worth every cent. Check them out at www.otter.com

[JSK76]

I don't have a seat rail so is there another way to use the seat caddy?

[jwhjr]

I've got the swivel seats and I like them better than the bench because it's easier to get at stuff in the sled. Also if fishing alone I can remove one to make it even easier to get at stuff in the sled and lighter.

[riverrat56]

Get the seats, the bench only flips out of the way with the house up. If you pack up with the house set up, then want to get to something underneath the bench it can be a real pain.

I've had both, I sold my house with the bench seat and will be going back to swivel seats.

[JSK76]

Get the seats, the bench only flips out of the way with the house up.

Now I'm sold on the swivel seats for sure, thats ridiculous, and I would never have thought of that, and at first I was leaning to wards the bench.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Northlander]

I don't have a seat rail so is there another way to use the seat caddy?

Call Otter and get the new seats and rail. You will be glad you did. Oh and dont forget the Sportsmans Caddy. You will love it!

[muchowja]

The new seats don't seem to be waterproof so if they get wet they stay wet

[Northlander]

Probably not a seat to use in the rain but its a ice house not a boat. I had my house open on a snowy day and was hole hopping. Got to the house and there was a inch or more of snow on the seats. I wiped them off and set up the house and fished on them all afternoon. I didnt get wet. How are you getting your seats that wet?

[Shack]

Correction! The Otter bench seat can be flipped with the cover folded down:

The Team Wild series ice house by Otter bench seats can not be flipped up when the canvas is folded down. Different design altogether.

Personally I had my doubts about the bench seat that comes with the Wild series at first. After using it all last year and this season, I do actually like it and prefer it over my previous swivels. Ya, you can not flip it when the house is folded, but the rear access area allows plenty access to gear needed before the house is flipped. If you organize correctly (IMO) this is a none issue. When not using the house and the bench seat acts like a nice table of sorts. That is a nice alternative to setting stuff back in the sled or on the ice. Unless they make a reclining swivel with arm rests, the swivels I have had in the past are about the same comfort as the bench.

Last fall I came close to getting the new swivels offered by Otter. They look very nice. My only issue I had was the added height they bring and the factory cover that comes with the Wild sleds. The factory cover that comes with the Wild series fits very tight and trim with the bench seat as is (very cool looking and I can not stand lose fitting covers). I just do not think the new swivels will allow the cover to grab in the corners.

Starting with nothing, I would give the swivels the upper hand. If you like to set stuff around you while fishing, you will also have to get the SPORTSMAN'S CADDY from Otter:

or make one. With the bench it is right their unless fishing three people.

The other is price. Very nice seat IMO, but in my case (being a three man ice house and sticking to wanting to keep it a 3 man) this upgrade would cost me $79.99 x 3. $240 with the possibility of purchasing a new cover which would be another $70 or a charge to customize my current cover.

I am not sure if the otter bench seat allows for the covers to fit over. I would assume so.

[Dave]

I am not sure if the otter bench seat allows for the covers to fit over. I would assume so.

I had one and the cover fit fine over the bench.

[Ed Carlson]

The new seats don't seem to be waterproof so if they get wet they stay wet

Un-snap and remove the seat cushions on the new Otter Tempress seats.

Get some spray on Re-Vivex waterproofing treatment.

Spray it down good and wet, toss in the dryer for 20 minutes on high to seal it in...it will be waterproof then.

I do the same with my Frabill Tempress high back seats, works well.

[sheryl96razor]

Otter bench and swivel seat are just seemingly fine to have but I think that you should just see if which fits more in the field on where you will place that seat.

[picksbigwagon]

I have the bench in my otter den (older solo house) my friend has the same house and a older swivel seat. he loves his swivel seat, i love my bench. it is not light but since the Original poster is going with a norpac house, what is 20 pounds.....when it is just me, I like the extra seating space........

My solo house allows me to take one of my kids out with me, yes it is tight but I am not a small guy either. I picked up one of the clam pop up summit houses at the end of last year. I will use my otter to transport stuff on to early ice walking with the summit on top and then utilize the seating for my boys while I sit on a stool.

[mamohr686]

I've got 2 otter portables, one with the bench seat in the medium cabin, and a newer style 1 man house with the rail system and swivel seat. I'm 6'0" and after 4 hrs my back is killing me on the bench. The bench adds significant weight to the set-up, which can be a factor in the early ice season if your pulling by hand. The bench easily tilts up for access to the bottom of the tub, unless part of the canvas is covering the swivels (in the retracted/folded down position) at the corners of the bench. I like about the bench is if I take my young boys fishing. It's easier for them to sit next to me, and I can help them out easily and share my flasher. Also, it's nice to put your gear on the bench next to you, ranther than the bottom of a wet tub.

The new swivel seat with rail sits much higher and is well padded, so I don't have sore legs and back. I can fish for 3 days straight on LOW from before sunrise to after sunset and feel great. I find the center bar more restrictive on space becasue it's harder to fit larger items in the tub, such as your auger or a cooler. You have to spend a little more time positioning stuff compared to the bench seat.

I'm going to sell my bench and replace it with the new style of swivel seats this season.

[Ed Carlson]

I think the new rail system is the smartest addition Otter has done is a long time.

You gain a lot of instant tool-less user flexibility this way, and the modular component expandability is a big plus, as seen in the new Sportsman's Caddy. The upgrade to the Tempress seating is a huge plus too, excellent seats and well proven, great back support.

My biggest negative I have seen with the Otter Bench is the brackets that connect the bench to the seat support often pull loose or strip. Other than that they are handy overall. For many this seat configuration is very versatile for the family fisherman whom needs variable seating options from trip to trip.

[harvey lee]

I have both systems and I personally do not care for the bench seat. My back cannot take many hours on the bench where I can sit for an extended time in the swivel padded seat. I love the new Otter seats for comfort.

I also use the new Otter seats in my Canvas Craft insulated portable but I had to do a little refitting.

[JSK76]

Thanks for all the replies. I did end up getting 2 of the black Otter swivel seat on sale early this spring. I didn't get to use them because the ice was coming off the lake when I bought them, but I thought the seats seemed very comfy while mock fishing in the garage.