Otters NEW Ice Houses

[nytelyter]

the ice show has always been on the first friday-saturday in december and has been in the what used to be called the civic center the name escapes me right now but it is where the xcel center is next to the museam in st paul. it is an annual must see event. lots of reps and knowledge in one place and tons of stuff to look at and get all glossy eyed about. ... paul

[Brad B]

Well I'm looking to buy three of the Thermal Predator right now. So if anyone knows if there are any stores out there right now selling them for cheaper that 799.99 please let me know. I'm not going to pay the 150.00 to get it shipped either. I will just wait for the show if that is the case.

I don't think you will find it cheaper then $799.99 since it was originaly $999.99 when they introduced it. you might not find any store with it yet as it is still to early for them to carry ice fishing stuff. If you want that many and can wait for the show then you maybe able to get a better deal on them since you are buying so many at one time. Personally I like Otter and Canvas Craft houses the best. My next house will be a canvas craft Norpac house on the otter sled or if otter was to offer a Norpac house directly I would consider theirs over a canvas craft as I would guess the otter price would beat the canvas craft price.

[Chode2235]

where do you see they are dropping their prices??? There predator has been 799.99 for sometime now and I cant seam to find it any cheaper.

There is an ongoing conversation occurring on their Facebook page. They will be showing a bunch of new ice stuff at ICAST this/next week. When asked they said the prices for the insulated portables will be dropping in price "as much as $200"

[IamZombie]

Not sure on the dates yet but its always at the St. Paul River Center.

Usually a week or 2 after thanksgiving.

[Hardyboy]

the ice show has always been on the first friday-saturday in december and has been in the what used to be called the civic center the name escapes me right now but it is where the xcel center is next to the museam in st paul. it is an annual must see event. lots of reps and knowledge in one place and tons of stuff to look at and get all glossy eyed about. ... paul

Its called River Center and it the first weekend in December! Mark your calendars boys

[mamohr686]

I haven't been on ice fishing forum for a long time. To answer your question northlander it's the pro series and blue canvas. Mine has the white zippers on it, and the part that broke is part of the zipper that you hold with your fingers. There are 2 zippers with one pull tab on the inside and another on outside for a total of 4. I went to a HSOforum you can google zipperfixer and find replacement zipper pull tabs. I got 4 of the jumbo replacements and that worked for me for the rest of the season and I keep a spare in my tacklebox. Basically, the new zippers are so large that they get condensation on the between the spines and freeze solid as a rock. The pull tabs on the zipper are so weak in ultra-cold temps, that they broke with very little force.

[Northlander]

Man Im sorry to hear that but I havent had any zipper issues in any temps. You say you get a lot of condensation? Are you venting the house well enough? Usually if I have a zipper freeze its because I had something dripping from the outside roof down onto the bottom zipper area and freezing or I got water on the zipper some how. Anything above that usually is fine. Try the soap or chapstick trick on your zipper teeth. If you have any issues or questions with it this year e-mail me please.

[Chad Peterson]

Good advice Northlander. It really works well on the zipper.

Sniffer

[toughguy]

I've had issues with the bottom portion of the door zipper freezing. I just put the back of the shack to the wind and leave it unzipped. easier to get in and out that way too.

[Bobb-o]

Can't wait to see the new offerings from Otter, they have always been head and shoulders above the competition for durability and design. May even have to sell the Lodge this season and step up into one of the new designs

[muc33]

Couldn't agree more with Northlanders soap trick. It does work and works well. I am eager to see the new looks!!!

[CaptainMusky]

Well, I would sure like to know what is new about these houses. I have already seen some of the Frabill stuff. I am strongly considering a new house this year OR just get new canvas for the one I have, but I want to know what is coming out to make a decision.

[Northlander]

Just talked to the powers to be at Otter and August is still the release date for all the info on the new houses. Lets put it this way I have a brand new Lodge that hasnt even been put together and Ill be selling it to get one of the new ones. Good fishin and come check them out at the St. paul Ice Show and I will walk ya through all the new goodies.

[BD110]

I'm interested in seeing any new designs that Otter will be coming out with but I will say that I'm very happy with the Ice camo that I have on my Otter Lodge and Otter Cabin.

[Northlander]

Tom I think you will like the new stuff coming out. Ill call you to do our regular porty set up routine as soon as I get my new one hopefully some time in Aug.

[LMITOUT]

Just a couple of guesses:

Insulated.

Sled inserts for storage/bait bucket holders/etc...just like many have been making at home for years, but molded in plastic for durability and to keep it lightweight. Just like their sleds.

[BD110]

Sounds great Steve,

I'm still in need of a second hitch for the cabin. Keep an eye out for me if there are any deals to be had. We should put your lodge together it might bring a few extra bucks all set up and ready to go.

[gonehunting]

Northlandr,

Can you at least tell us if there will be a new model of the uninsulated style? Not a big fan of the insulated sleds because of weight. I also have a new style otter lodge(blue canvas, not camo) and I can't wait to see what is out there. Anyone interested in a lodge with hyfax, hitch, cover, seats, etc shoot me a pm after the new otters come out. I will save you a bunch of money.

[Dave]

Not a big fan of the insulated sleds because of weight.

Have you really looked at the weight difference? It's very minimal. I really haven't known anyone to go back to a non-insulated, once they use an insulated model. I know I never would.

[Northlander]

Stay tuned for the big news! Otter just sent me a press release telling everyone about the new houses for this coming winter. I will say they will be HOT! I will post it as soon as I get access to my home computer.

[toughguy]

Come on Northlander.....I'm dying here.

[Eric_Kruger]

waiting!!!!!

[Chode2235]

Is "HOT" the operative word?

[gonehunting]

I need this press release and photos or I may not sleep tonight. Any one looking for a 2 year old blue otter lodge with hitch, hyfax, seats, and cover? I'm just assuming the news will be that good

[LMITOUT]

Northlander is such a tease!