Your thoughts on buying a new portable

[MN_BEEF]

I'm looking to buy a new portable in the 400-500 range any thoughts, opinions would be very helpful.

I don't want to start a Clam vs. Otter war, just the positive-Negatives would be great.

Thanks

Beef

[mntim]

What are you looking for? Hub Style, suitcase, flip over? Also, what size?

[Chode2235]

So much of it depends on your needs.

I still think the flip over style houses are the most versitile, as you can pull a ton of stuff out in the sled with you and flip it over and hunker down when you want to.

I would really look at going with an insulated or thermal house too. They dont add much weight and stay warmer, and keep the wind from cutting through better.

I have an otter and love the sled (am surprised they dont have an insulated house yet), the frabills look really nice and the sled looks solid, I would also look at the canvas craft houses too. They are otter sleds with custom thermal covers. The only thing I dont really like about them are the lack of windows, and the poles dont seem as sturdy as say the frabills.

Clam also makes a great house for the money, although a couple friends of mine have had problems with the sleds cracking.

Go to the show this weekend, see them all in one place, and make an offer. There are a lot of great choices out there today.

[MN_BEEF]

I was looking at either a Hub or a flip over style. I have an old Clam suitcase 2 man. Works ok but a pain to move around the lake and the walls are now paper thin. So probably Hub 4 man, Flip over 2 man.

[MN_BEEF]

I have fished in the flip over style, so I know about them. What are the Hub style like? Ease of set up, portablility ect.

[motley man]

Look on c list, many portables on there.

[Sportland_Bait]

The hubs are awesome. Very light and easy to put up/ take down. Takes about 3-4 minutes to get everything set up right. You still need a sled to throw the pack in. Not as portable as a flip over. The best two flip overs in my opinion are the Clam Voyager TCX and the Frabill Guardian. Anything thermal will add at least $100 to the retail price. But it is a nice option.

Jason Erlandson

[jBohmer]

I have a clam yukon. Comfortable with two guys, wonderful solo. My buddy has an Three man flip over. Really nice with two guys and we have fit three in it before. Becomes a little crowed with heaters and flashers and three guys.

I have not used any other style except for the flip overs. I can fit all my gear (20lb propane, lantern, etc.) easily. I can pull it out of my truck cut holes and be fishing in minutes. Not bad to pull by hand for early and late ice too. I have no extra insulation and I do not seem to have temp issues, but on cold nights I have used the lantern to help heat. Sometimes the lantern heats enough. I use a sunflower heater as my main heat source.

I always look at the portables when I am at Gander or something and it seems that it is hard to by a bad one nowadays. If I was buying a new one I would be most concerned with space first then I would make sure that the seats are comfortable. My buddy's three man has a bench seat and my butt seemed to get sore easily. I really like the chairs in my Clam a lot.

Have fun shopping!

[TyGuy02]

like the others have said, choose the type that works best for what you will use it for. I have a suitcase, and a flip-over. I don't say the brands because I don't think they really make too much of a difference, and to be honest, I haven't looked at mine since march.

The main problem with a suitcase is that there is NO storage. You'd need a sled to pull your equipment.

I really love my flip-over, but my main complaint is that the sled tends to accumulate snow after a few uses. Maybe it's just me. But tons of storage. If you pull it with a snowmobile/ATV you'll be able to get everything you need in the sled. Lighting can be an issue. I've tried the rope lights, but can be a pain in the butt. I picked up a lantern this year for lighting and some heat.

Have fun shopping, but know how you're going to get on the lake and fish, and get what works best for you.

[jBohmer]

like the others have said, choose the type that works best for what you will use it for. I have a suitcase, and a flip-over. I don't say the brands because I don't think they really make too much of a difference, and to be honest, I haven't looked at mine since march.

The main problem with a suitcase is that there is NO storage. You'd need a sled to pull your equipment.

I really love my flip-over, but my main complaint is that the sled tends to accumulate snow after a few uses. Maybe it's just me. But tons of storage. If you pull it with a snowmobile/ATV you'll be able to get everything you need in the sled. Lighting can be an issue. I've tried the rope lights, but can be a pain in the butt. I picked up a lantern this year for lighting and some heat.

Have fun shopping, but know how you're going to get on the lake and fish, and get what works best for you.

Clam makes light/fan combo that runs on two D batteries. It hangs from the pole in my flipover. The light is adjustable and the fan has two speeds. The fan really helps move the warm air around. The light pivots 90 degrees so when I am packing up in the dark I can sit the light down on my tailgate as I load up. I bought it last year and have seen them again this year. The even had power cords with them in this years model. I think you could hook it up to a flasher battery and/or plug it into a lighter in a vehicle. I swear by it love it. It hangs right next to my am/fm waterproof shower radio I listen to when I am fishing. I thought it was one of the best investments I made last year. I think $25.

[jBohmer]

hey TyGuy, you ever fish Maple Lake up there in the winter? My granparents had a home up there and now my parents live up there. I spend a lot of time fishing it in the summer but not in the winter. Is worth bringing my gear up there for Christmas? My Avatar pix was taken at Maple. (sorry for being off topic)

[Northlander]

Go with a flip over style and make it easy on yourself. No anchoring down in winds and having to haul extra chairs etc. in a tub that you would already have with a flip style.

Im a strong believer in Otters because they have never let me down.

Do a search on here there are a ton of posts about all the shelters both brands and types.

[JigginIsLife]

Alright well i will weigh in on the other side, POSITIVES--- i have the clam base camp, for me it works perfect, small and light and goes up in literally less than a min with two people. Fits almost anywhere ie car, small suv or truck back seat.goes on as a back pack and can make you super portable. and easy for long hikes.

Negatives -- Canvas is pulled tight, so if you even tough the canvas with your auger instant hole in ice house (has already happend to me as you can tell.) You are super portable UNTILL, you put up your house, then you really dont want to break it down again and fit it into the bag and zip it back up. If its windy the sides bust in and can whack you in the face, and pretty good mind you. Also alot of open ice,and it can get slippery, so bring some sand with or some good ice picks. Also it really needs some snow on the lake, otherwise if there is a gentle breeze it can blow that thing away. but the anchors arnt terriable to put in, so dont let anyone talk you out of it becuase of that reason.

[leech~~]

I have fished in the flip over style, so I know about them. What are the Hub style like? Ease of set up, portablility ect.

What are you hauling it around with is another thing to look at. If sled or wheeler I would go with a nice big flip-up. If car, Hub or if truck you could fit any of them in the back of it. Go to the Ice Show this weekend and you can see them all, sit in them and get ideas from the dealers of which model they have that would work as well.

[Westsidefishing]

I have both the Flip-over and Popup/ hub style house. I agree with things JigginIsLife said about pop up house. It sucks to move after you are set up. And you need to buy sled and chairs in addition to the house. If you only use car for fishing then pop up is the great option. Otherwise I would go with flip over type house.

Good Luck shopping!

[Nordern]

I just drove by a northern suburb lake a few hours ago and there were 5 portables out there. All of them we flip-overs. I started with the hub style years ago and when I could afford a flip-over I went with an Otter. I personally would never go back to the hub style for my own use. If you are at a gathering on a sunny afternoon with the kids then a hub style is great but for moving around you can't beat the sled.

[tsande00]

For me I like the most room possible that is light enough that I can still manage by myself if need be. I usually fish alone out of a three man flip over and it never feels like too much space. A three man is big enough where you can fish two men with gear and still be comfortable and not stepping over things to get in/out, or rubbing elbows. Usually you can subtract one man off of what they say they are good for when it comes to comfort.

Another thing to consider if purchasing a flip over is roof height. I like to be able to stand up and I do it often. No matter what type of seat I am on my butt, legs and back get sore after an hour or two. I like to be able to stand fully upright without having to bend over. Often times I'll jig standing up for 10 minutes or so just to get the blood flowing through the legs again. In many portys you can't do this without hunching over, or standing in just the right spot. Pay attention to ceiling height when making your decision.

[icerube]

I have a clam x2 flip over style and love it! big tub for all my gear, bigger size frame tubing, comfortable seats, I can stand up straight! I have to agree with TsandeOO on that one, Great size for two people fishing and I can still load it in the back of my truck when solo, when empty. nice house! The only thing I would do differently is buy the Insulated one. My 2 cents!

[captainshane]

I have a hub style and I had a flip style. The hub style is great for stationary fishing but the flip style is nice if you are moving around alot. I will be getting a flip style again soon.

Just my thoughts,

Shane

[mntim]

Clam X2 is the best flip over out there IMO, but you will not find it in your price range. I just bought a 6 man hub style, I like the extra room and don't have to worry about taking up too much room in the garage when I'm not using it. Both are much faster to break down and set up compared to the suitcase style. Both will be similar in price after buying the sled you'll need if you get a hub.

[harvey lee]

I have a few Otter flip over portables and for one, you will not find another company that makes a sled as tough as the Otter sled.

The poles work nice and the skirt that surronds or encloses the sides of the tub really keeps the wind out.

I just do not know if you can find one for the price range you are looking at.

I believe you can purchase a new Otter Wild series package in the 1 man cottage for less than $400.00. Then it goes up from there.

[MN_BEEF]

Awesome input, thanks for all the great info. I will try and get to the Ice Show this weekend and try and make a decision based on your input, what I see at the show.

[bopper4]

I had the same dilema last year and ended up buying the otter lodge. I am very happy with it granted by the time i got the hitch hyfax and cover it was pretty spendy. I also own a small fish trap I couldnt tell you what the exact model is but it is 10 plus years old and has taken the abuse being pulled behing the sled and has held up nice, i was just looking for something bigger.

That being said, my rule of thumb is to buy a little big. If it is advertised as a 2 man, it probably fishes one well but is a little tight for 2 by the time you put in a heater, graph and holes. I like the extra space.

[SKEETER-B]

I have the X2 it is a bit heavy but it is the mac-daddy in the wind. It has been the goto shack on the weekends when I'm not sitting in my perm. Best purchase I've made for HARDWATER...............

[riverview]

I have had the same otter lodge since 1999. I allways pull it with a sled or atv.. it gets pulled between 150 and 300 miles a year last year almost 400 and the sled still looks good. cover is getting wore pretty good though. i am thinking canvas craft cover.