FISH HOUSE ???

[CC Hurl]

Hi Folks, I am just wondering if i could get some input on who makes a good fish house and why you have that opinion. I am looking to buy one in the range of 5000.00 to 7000.00 and 6.5 x 12 with a V front. New or a good used one would work for me but I just have no clue as to who has the better houses. I am aware of the Ice Castle houses but have heard they are put together with staples but dont know for sure. The Yetti's i looked at but they seem to be a little much for just the shell. Maybe someone knows who may have a nice one for sale also. Thanks for any input that you have to offer as it is much appreciated. Looking forward to having one but just want to make sure I get a decent one. I will also be using it for a hunting shack as well. I am wanting a wheel house also. Thanks again.

CC HURL

[muc33]

I have a Carsella Shack.

[barehooks_jr]

muc33, how do you like your Carsella Shack? What did you get from them?

[muc33]

I love it, or I should say I love them. I have multiple. I work with Don on a regular basis, tell him Chad from Worthington sent you. He is very busy and takes messages, many people think he is some large manufacturer, but he is a guy who builds a good house at a great price. I have a 12 and 2 14's plus have quite a few friends who have them now too. all V fronts. all different layouts.

[fishtrapgirl]

I was all set to go purchase a Carsella Shack this fall. They sound like they are well built and they look nice too. I just got way too good of a deal on a Grand Lodge and couldn't pass it up. You get what you pay for. Looked at a ton of Ice Castles, they are absolute junk in my opinion, they just look nice. For the price range you are looking to stay in, I would look at a Carsella shack. I have not seen one in person, but from reading other people's opinions and seeing a few ads for the houses on List Craig, I think you would be really happy with one. There is something to be said for quality construction, and it sure sounds like Don builds them right. Good luck in your search!

[CC Hurl]

Does anyone know were I can get pics of the Carsella house? I see he has no web sight. Kinda funny my wife called a couple places yesterday and did talk to Don. Said he was a nice guy to talk to. Said he was three weeks out. Sounds like I better get on it. Anyhow I am still open to any opinions on houses but would really like to see pics or even see one of the Carsella houses in person.

Thanks for the reponses as they are very helpfull. Don't want to buy twice so I want a good house that will last and not shimmy apart in 5 years.

[Northlander]

Call Soderblooms and see if Jay is doing any drop downs this year. I know he has slowed down and only does a few a year. I dont know how booked up he is at the time.

[Smoker]

The Bemidji Take A Kid Fishing has a picture of one of the Carsella shacks on there web site. It is a red one.There is just a picture of the outside.

[usmcjsy]

I have a Carsella Shack and love it. It is very sturdy and is built on a tube frame. No cheap angle iron. I bought mine 2 years ago and paid like $5800 for it. It came with bunks, forced air heat and was fully finished. I really dont think you can find anything better for the money. I also looked at Ice Castle and Lodge. I would say the Carsella houses are just as well built as a lodge. If you like the lodge bring the specs to Don and I bet he can do it just as well for less.

[bigred1974]

give ultra shack in ramsey a call too

[Jimmy from Cottage Grove]

Are Ice Castles that bad? I am thinking about purchasing one? The ice castle spirit.

[Jimmy from Cottage Grove]

Are Ice Castles that bad? I am thinking about purchasing one? The ice castle spirit.

[hunter76]

I would look at a lodge before a ice castle. They are built better.

[luv2fish]

I think it is funny how some people on this just rip on them. I did a little research. I was told by some people I really trust that pre 2005 they were using some steel in their frames that were causing alot of issues (angle iron vs tube). I know I had a 2007 Eliminator that I towed alot and used alot and I had no issues. I also know that they sell a bunch of houses. Our free market that we live in would tell me if they were as big of pieces of ^$&* that some people make them out to be, they would not still be in business. I have a few friends that have them too, and have been nothing but pleased. Are their better built houses out there, of course. But you have to pick and choose what is important to you..

Full disclosure, I just ordered a Spirit for myself. I love the layout and how I can use it with my family year around (just like I used my Eliminator). And of course, the price was very attractive to me.

Good luck with whatever you purchase, and have fun with it!

[MinnetonkaMan]

I have a three yr old ice castle flat front that we ordered custom from the shop. Built my own bunks, table and shelves for tv and put my own cabinets in. It is a way if you dont have a ton of money you can get a 6.5 by 16 for about $5000 give or take. We bought ours from Fish n style over by Prior L. Its a multi use duck, fish and deer shack and it is great no problems at all just wash it off to get salt off of it Ours rusted like any other maker because we didn't take time to fix it because to many fish were biting and the house was on the lake all the time also. Gas mileage is a little better with the V but its nice an easy pulling my house out with the wheeler for early ice eyes!!! Once you buy the fishhouse you wont go back to a porty. Too easy to leave it hitched up if you want to jump from a crappie spot after the hot bite ends to a late night sleeping spot for eyes.

[CC Hurl]

Well Carsella it is for me. Did more research and yes Don and Pam seem to be top notch folks. I am waiting for my final invoice now and it's a done deal.

Started with the standard 6.6 x 12 plus V and did some upgrading. 4 speaker Sony Stereo,6 holes with lights,stove with oven,diamond plate all around,table that turns into bunk, Second bunk above that pulls up when not in use,and a window in back so I can look out when sitting at the table. Didn't go with a bathroom as it looks more open without it. I will set my portable up out side for potty breaks.

Chad I did mention you and Don knew exactly who you were. Very nice people indeed.

I went with black exterior. The diamond plate will look cool wrapped all around the bottom.

Sent him $5000.00 to get going on it and now I need to wait. Oh well plenty of Bow hunting left and the ice is nowhere close to fish yet for me.

Final tally $7600.00 with the upgrades and tax.

I am excited to say the least and would like to thank everyone who responded to my post.

Hope to see you on the ice and good luck to you in all your outdoor endevours.

CC HURL

[tsande00]

Congrats! I'm jealous... Sounds like a sweet setup at a very reasonable price.

Some day, some day, lol.

[dougger222]

Sounds like a decent price for a decent house.

My wifes step dad bought an ice castle 5 years ago. It was custom made 6.5x14 with v. Bunks, stove, radio, furnace, lights, nothing too fancy. $10,800 with tax!!! Him and his wife were both disatisfied with the finish work on the interior. The rear doors never stayed latched. It was an easy fish house to drop and raise though. He sold it when three years for $5,500. He offered it to me for $5,000 and I turned it down. It was built for a harley and not an atv!

[Norm1980]

my 2cents after fishing out of an Ice Castle (8x16 w/V front) for the past few years.

1. I don't see the need to bash Ice Castle the way some people do

2. Are their better Ice Houses out there?? YES

3. Are they junk?? NO..... Haven't had any problems besides frost build up around the door frame (2009 model). Like mentioned above in our lovely free market system one would think if Ice Castle was as horrible as some make them out to be they wouldn't be around anymore.

4. Do they put their heart and soul into each house?? NO.... You can in most Ice Castles find spots where their finish work leaves much to be desired.

5. Are they affordable for the average family guy?? YES.... Shacks like Grand Lodges are great ice houses but unless you get a used one for a great price your going to have to spend some serious $$$ to get your hands on one.

6. Do the fish care what you own?? NO... not that i've noticed anyway

CCHurl ~ you will have to post some pics of your new shack when you get it, sounds like a great deal!!

[newoodhntr]

Sounds like a nice shack, i hav'nt seen any pictures of this brand so if you could post some that would be great.

[Gordie]

just seen a salem shack and I'll tell you that is one sharp and well put together house dont know what they cost as the guy that had wouldnt tell me I think cause his wife was next to him

[CC Hurl]

muc33 (Chad) If you get this in the next few days please drop me an E-mail at [email protected] I have a question for you. Thanks Jim

[camtis]

CC Hurl...if you still want to see a Carsella Shack, I have one. I am located in Zimmerman as well.

Sorry I did not see your post earlier.

[email protected]

[castmaster]

Might be worth considering, in this whole ice castle peeing match, that some peoples definition of "junk" may be different than the next guys.

IMO when you see even "supporters" saying the interior finish leaves a lot to be desired etc equates to "junk". To the next guy as long as it isnt falling apart while towing it down the road it isnt junk.

Being in residential construction for over 15 years, I can tell you my experience is that most will try to cover up less than top quality construction by doing a great finish job...ya know kind of like putting makeup on a pig. Now anyone that doesnt even put the effort into making the things people will see look like they were done with quality and craftsmanship tells me whats underneath that finish carpentry may not be so swell either.

In a "free market" quality isnt the only factor deciding whether a business prospers or fails. I'd say ice castle sells a pile of houses based solely on the fact that for many people when they think wheelhouse they think ice castle, and never really bother to find out what else is out there. They can go to any ice castle dealer and drive off the "lot" with a new house compared to having to deal direct with the builder and wait for it to be built.

[Ybone]

Does Carsella make 8 foot wide houses or just 6.5?