Shacks Getting Heavier?

[gill man]

I fish out of a Fish Trap Guide that is probably 10 years old by now. It has the plastic seats that mount on a rail that slides front to back. Doesn't have the new padded swivel seats. I could swear that the advertised weight was 60 pounds for that shack. It seems that the new 2 man flipover shacks these days weigh around 80-90 pounds with most in the low 80s.

Are the new shacks as heavy as they claim? Is mine heavier than the old adds said, or is my memory off? How do your 2 man flipovers pull by hand? My guide pulls fine if the snow isn't bad, but I have had some killer drags when the snow is deep and slushy.

I have to pull by hand until the ice gets thick enough for trucks (wish I had a 4-wheeler or snowmobile).

gill man

[BartmanMN]

I love my old Guide for this reason too. Light and pulls great. That is what Genz designed them to do. Shacks are getting heavier and it is moslty because of the deeper tubs, heavier(more comfortable) seats, and heavier denier canvas.

[Lost Cause]

I just bought a new two man flip over this year and its listed weight is 95 pounds. pulls alot easier loaded up than my old clam 6800 did loaded up and on a sled

[CALVINIST]

I think it's peculiar that they are getting heavier. The basic point of the flipover is mobility in finding fish. If you want to just fish in one spot then a hub-style or other portable seems more appropriate.

I fished with my FT guide for a couple years with the bucket seats and got sick and tired of the x-tra weight so I took the buckets out, which are now in my boat BTW. For seating I use little chairs that fold up nicely and just bring one if I plan to fish solo. It's not difficult to get a good system down. My trap lost over 40 pounds from losing the buckets and hardware. The x-tra weight is not too big a deal if you are dragging on very little cover but with slush and deep snow it can be a real bummer!

[MJBaldwin]

One of my Buddies has the Frabill Preditor and he said that thing weighs from 120-130 pounds thats not even with your gear add a 20lb propane tank and yout talking 160-170 lbs.

[swmndeerhunter]

There're definetly getting heavier, but most are now geared towards people pulling them with 4 wheelers and snowmobiles. I have a frabill that gets pretty heavy with everything in it. I wouldn't want to pull it by hand very far thats for sure.

[mww24]

my 3 year old guide is 80 pounds. it has the padded boat seats that slide front to back when sitting. Its heavy thats for sure. you even see the large one mans pushing 70 pounds now with thermal caps and thick deep sleds. there just doin there part to keep us in shape

[magicstix]

Yes they are getting heavier. Buddy and I just had this same discussion last Friday. I think they've gotten heavier because it a consumer driven market. we want nicer seats ,heavier fabic, stronger poles, Etc. It all adds up.

I still run a 12 y.o. Otter cabin, rnd. poles., No seats, was suppose to be 55-60lbs. It does pull hard in deep snow also, but is fine otherwise. I dread the day I have to upgrade. Anytime I'm doing mods. I'm thinking about weight because most of my areas are walk in only lakes.

I'd like to see the manufacturs go back making portables more lighter, like a portable should be, ya know. I believe those real early FT guides, w/wood seats are 45lbs.

Years ago I had a friend that raced mountain bikes and grams were a concern to them racers. And I thought he was crazy.

[Ed Carlson]

More features tend to lend itself to more weight.

Going insulated actually will lessen the weight in the end on a portable shack. As you pack less fuel, smaller lighter heaters, and less extra clothing. This trend will continue to grow.

Much Lighter and stronger is achievable now, yet cost prohibitive to most anglers.

Sleds could be Kevlar or aluminum, frames could be steel free and much lighter. As in high grade aircraft aluminum, or even titanium...but who could afford that?

[crappiegetter]

Some of the new sleds are lighter than my portable, seems mine has gained some weight over the years. I'm thinking I need to put it on a diet!

[Esox_Magnum]

I got a 5 or so year old 3 man, not a problem untill theres 4"+ of snow then I only drive or pull it with the sled. Guessing it's 170-200 loaded. I can still get it in the truck by myself though untill I can't I'll stay with the 3 mans.

[Raider4ever]

Any company doing Carbon-Fiber yet for their fishouse?

[tonkapat]

my hub house with a sled and 2 chairs 35 lbs. Want a light house that you can pull through the snow get a hub style house.

[quickfish6]

It has gained weight over the years cause you need to go threw it every year and see what you need and what you dont need , That is the best way to keep the weight light. That is the problem that i had.

[crappiegetter]

Almost all the stuff in mine I use when fishing, although I could probably downsize from a 20lb propane tank to something small to shave weight. I just haven't done a lot of pulling my sled through deep snow to remember it being so heavy and hard to do. Really sucks for the long walks out and in.

[PlagueWielder]

I 'bout croaked taking my Yukon for a drag around the lake the other day. Now granted I have a pathological need to bring a small sporting goods store's worth of carp with me even going alone, but I swear that thing was wearing spikes. Either I'm getting old or my Yuks getting fat. I agree though. We need a high quality, ULTRA-lite porty that won't fold under a little breeze. You readin' Otter? Clam? Anybody???

[fishersofmen]

I believe the Frabill Predator weighs 145lbs. I plan on buying this unit next year so I better get to the gym now.

[Ed Carlson]

Comfort/Weight ~ vrs ~ Need/Utility...that is the tricky part.

Maybe a Shetland Pony is in your future, they can pull like a tank, and can double as a gift for the kids?

Or a pair of Newfoundland Dogs with a harness?

The pony would eat less.

[fishersofmen]

Not a bad idea, the pony........

Unless they make a harness that would hook up to a 9 and 10 year old.

[Sonicrunch]

Not a bad idea, the pony........

Unless they make a harness that would hook up to a 9 and 10 year old.

lols

sadly, there is probably something in china