Canvas Craft vs Otter

[dfeste]

The first thing I will say is that the color is not a factor in my decision. The questions I have relate to the seating and the framework. Does Canvas Craft use the Otter frame in their houses or do they make their own? If they make their own is the quality comparable to that of the Otter? Along the same lines, does Canvas Craft use the same rail system in thier seating that Otter does? I would really like to add the Sportsmans Caddy to my new house and am wondering if that is even an option with the Canvas Craft. I am looking at the magnum size and have noticed that there is about a $70 difference in price. IMO the fact that the Canvas Craft shell is made in MN justifies that difference. I think that I am most interested in hearing from those that own a Canvas Craft house. If Otter had offered thier current insulated models at the time you bought your house would you have purchased an Otter house instead? Sorry about being long winded but this is a big purchase for me and I would like to make the most informed decision possible.

Thanks Dave

[TravP]

Canvas Craft uses a round pole system of their own, and the otter seat that sits across the sled, like the old otter seats. I like otter's poles and seat system better myself.

[walleye44]

The first thing I will say is that the color is not a factor in my decision. The questions I have relate to the seating and the framework. Does Canvas Craft use the Otter frame in their houses or do they make their own? If they make their own is the quality comparable to that of the Otter? Along the same lines, does Canvas Craft use the same rail system in thier seating that Otter does? I would really like to add the Sportsmans Caddy to my new house and am wondering if that is even an option with the Canvas Craft. I am looking at the magnum size and have noticed that there is about a $70 difference in price. IMO the fact that the Canvas Craft shell is made in MN justifies that difference. I think that I am most interested in hearing from those that own a Canvas Craft house. If Otter had offered thier current insulated models at the time you bought your house would you have purchased an Otter house instead? Sorry about being long winded but this is a big purchase for me and I would like to make the most informed decision possible.

Thanks Dave

I have the magnum Norpac single flip over model. I have used both Otter & Canvas Craft. I love this Canvas Craft fish house. At first you look at the Canvas Craft fish house & the poles seams too loose. The otters look fancier. Let me tell you my otter square tubing would bind up all the time in the cold. Using two days in a row I would have to unfreeze the adjustment poles. You do not have that problem with the canvas craft. That is why they have the extra room. Nice job! I have been told that their Norpac materials R valve is way better then the new otters insulation. The Canvas Craft seats do not slid forward & back but you can move the seats from right to left no problem. Does the caddy you want to use go the short distane from the sled to sled or does it need to hook to the seats? I have used this house when it was -18 below. The material folds up like you are folding a blanket it the house. You want a good quality house & be warm get the Canvas Craft. Plus, added bonus it is made in the USA.

[Get'n Jiggy]

I have an insulated Canvas Craft, it's a well put together shack. I have

no problems with the round tubing. The insulation fabric is awesome, I

also liked the Made in MN aspect. Seating is optional, if you like the

otter seating better you have that option, same for the caddy. I also

like the idea, if I had a repair or a problem the company is local and

from what I know they stand behind their products. If you go to ice show

I'd be willing to bet you'd get a deal.

[Eric_Kruger]

You can buy the cross bar and seating from otter seperate now, so you can add it to any house with the same sleds

[JSK76]

I own a CC insulated Med Northlander house and was looking for something bigger this year and picked up an Otter Lodge XT900. When I got home I felt that the otter's fabric felt much thinner than the CC so I decided to do some testing. I took a hot blowdryer to each house 18" from the fabric for 60 seconds and at the same time took a reading from the back side of the fabric with an infared temp gun. The CC only reached a 14 degree increase in temp and the Otter 36 degrees. Next test was that I was able to get a small sample of the insulation from each house from where the fabric is folded over at the seam. The CC measured in at 8.11 mm and the Otter 2.27mm. I did this test as unbiased as I could, after all I owned both houses and had nothing to gain by proving to myself that they were not equal in the insulation aspect.

As far as the poles go the CC slide like there on roller bearings.

[harvey lee]

In my Canvas craft insulated portable, I put in a new seat rail and the newest swivel and slide seat from Other. That also allowed me to add the caddy and I love that caddy.

As far as the round poles in the CC house, it works like a dream and better than any other portable I have owned.

With the Otter tub on my CC portable, I have the best of all worlds with the insulated cover, good round poles that work great and the Otter seat and caddy.

[TravP]

Looks like CC wins by a mile as far as the fabric goes.

[BartmanMN]

Dang, that is convincing. Nice research JSK.

[harvey lee]

I have never heard a person say they did not like their Canvas craft insulated portable.

Otter's insulated model may be just as good or maybe better but I cannot say as I have not used one.

very hard to beat the Canvas craft model as everything works so great and it is very well constructed.

[Dave]

Canvas Craft - An Inside Look

[Coon]

for someone living out of state am i limited to purchace one of these from the company online or are these available somewhere else?

[harvey lee]

I would call both an asked where there nearest dealer is located.

[Get'n Jiggy]

for someone living out of state am i limited to purchace one of these from the company online or are these available somewhere else?

They ship the Otter Skin with no problem, In my case I bought an Otter

sled locally to save on freight.

[walleye44]

for someone living out of state am i limited to purchace one of these from the company online or are these available somewhere else?

For Canvas Craft, they only have two locations in Mn only. They do ship. As mentioned above you could buy the sled somewhere else & order the poles & canvas through them.