Buying an ice house

[IceHawk11]

Looking for some input. Looking at buying an ice house. Wondering what you guys think between an ice castle or grand lodge? Also 8x16 or 8x20. Would use this house mostly on lake of the woods. Any input would be great. Thanks.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

For me, no question I would go with a Lodge. Unless Ice Castle has significantly stepped up their finishing work and quality of materials in the last 2 years, the Lodges blow them away.

[fishhuntwork]

Consider Performance Engineering out of Glencoe. They build a real nice house and they are more reasonable than the lodge and better built than an Ice Castle.

[Big Buck Buster]

What he said!

[Bottle Fish]

Don't get an Ice Castle.

[GRAND DAD]

I love my Ice castle I have had it for 5 or 6 years now and never had a problem with it, except a little surface rust but thats becasue am up and down the road in the winter with it to LOW, I bought a shell and did the inside my self, because I don't like how any of them do the inside I like it wide open with full size beds, Its a 8x27 with the 4 foot v nose. Now If money were no object I would go with the lodge, But like I said if money was no object. You get what you pay for and Lodges are Very Expensive so they better be top notch.

[braselce]

I just bought a Salem Ice Cabin its more of a camper that you can fish out of never had it on the ice yet though

[MuskieJunkie]

I would recomend taking it for a test tow. It's a real pain ending up with one that you can't take over 50mph.

[Effie07]

MuskieJunkie, I assume you are referring to Ice Castle's disclaimer that states you should not tow their ice houses at a speed of over 50mph. I purchased an 8x20 V-Front Ice Castle this past spring and had it delivered to Moorhead, MN (where I was commuting for work) because delivery was less than what it would have costed me to drive down and pick it up. The guy that hauled it to Moorhead told me he was going over 70mph, but urged me to travel with caution on windy days. I agree that if money is not an issue, go with a Grand Lodge, but if you are simply looking for space and craftsmanship is not your number one concern, go with an Ice Castle. Quoted both before purchasing and Ice Castle was nearly $7K less. Consider sprya foam insulation under the floor, that will minimize the amount of painted steel which I was warded by others will rust. Every spring I plan to hit any rust with a wire brush and touch-up paint, stay on top of it rather than letting it get out of hand. Also had an A/C unit and fridge installed as we used it all summer as a camper.