Otter Houses a couple questions

[Toba]

I have looked at the otter lodge and cabin. I liked the bench seat but also see the benefits with the seats at my Yukon had seats. My oldest son is 2.5 years old and I am wondering if anyone has found pluses and minuses in seats and benches.

!. Plus or minus to bench/reg. seat.

2. Is the thermal worth stepping up from the black and white camo otter?

3. Can you mix and match? Could you put a bench in a thermal package?

4. Any other information that you think would be helpful would be appreciated. I feel the outdoors people on this site are more helpful than the people working at the stores. Thanks

[Eric Wettschreck]

Hi Toba, I have the Otter medium Cabin. It's a couple years old.

I like the dual seats over the bench. The reason is when I'm fishing with 2 people I can have both seats. When I'm alone, I take one seat out and leave it at home. It gives me a little more room in the tub for my stuff, and less clutter.

Questions 2 and 3 I can't answer. I'm sure someone else in the know will give you info.

[Rivernut]

Hi have a medium otter cabin, and have no seats. I bring a folding chair or two with, works slick. I am not a fan of the bench seat myself. I would go with the two seats over the bench. My 2 cents. Good luck

[Kettle]

I have the two man otter with the bench, I like it and about 95% of the time I fish solo. I also spear out of it so the bench is nice to sit right in the middle (centered). I wish I would have held off and gone with the thermal this year, I think it would be less drafty and save on the propane.

Kettle

[Brad B]

I have looked at the otter lodge and cabin. I liked the bench seat but also see the benefits with the seats at my Yukon had seats. My oldest son is 2.5 years old and I am wondering if anyone has found pluses and minuses in seats and benches.

!. Plus or minus to bench/reg. seat.

2. Is the thermal worth stepping up from the black and white camo otter?

3. Can you mix and match? Could you put a bench in a thermal package?

4. Any other information that you think would be helpful would be appreciated. I feel the outdoors people on this site are more helpful than the people working at the stores. Thanks

here is how I would answer your questions(in order)

1. regular seats will be lighter then the bench . plus like was already stated if you go by yourself just leave the second seat home. A bench would only be nice if you pulled the house with a atv or snowmobile. the bench will take up more of the sled space and you will be limited on high of stuff you put under it.

2. The new black and white otter wild houses are now thermal tops(not full thermal like the pro series).

3. The bench doesn't come with the pro full thermal houses but can be bought seperately if you choose to.

4. If money is not a issue for you I would also check out the canvas craft line up of houses. they make thermals and non thermals. they use otter sleds under all their houses. thier thermal are alittle more pricey but are the best therm out there.

hope this helps

[Dave]

I've had both AND small kids at the time

I wouldn't say two seats are lighter than a bench. And, the bench is mounted on hinges, so it's not transported in sled. For me, I enjoyed the bench...with or without the boys along.

It flipped up on hinge to easily access gear in sled and, when alone, provided extra "table space" for lunch, tackle, pop, etc. Always a seat incase someone happens to come and visit, too. Could actually take a nap on it if needed.

[muc33]

1. I like the bench seat particularly when the kids are with so I can more easily have a couple with me. I can slide over and help them too. But alone, like Eric said, I like to take a seat out and fish it solo. Which is more than anything. My daughters now have their own one person houses and fishing with dad is not cool. hehehehe

2. I am upgrading to all thermal houses

3. You can, it is your preference. Sell the solo seats online to a person who didn't buy a package or broke one, or whatever, happens all the time.

4. Otter sells the canvas only. Use your current sled, upgrade to the thermal, either keep your current canvas or sell it online to someone who may have an old green or purple that wants to upgrade or to someone who had a run in with a heater. It happens all the time.

Enjoy your time!

[FISHINGURU]

4. If money is not a issue for you I would also check out the canvas craft line up of houses. they make thermals and non thermals. they use otter sleds under all their houses. thier thermal are alittle more pricey but are the best therm out there.

hope this helps

x2

Canvas Craft insulated portables are awesome, makes me never want to fish out of a normal shack again! I was actually just lookin at one on craigies for my buddy, after spending a day in mine he sold his other shack and wants an upgrade lol.

[Surface Tension]

I use the seat brackets and mounted boat seats on them. Very light and comfortable.

The bench would be nice as well. For the kids they'll need something to put their feet on. Milk crates double as foot rests and to hold gear. I'm upgrading to a thermal top on my Otter lodge.

That should darn near pay for itself just in propane saved.

If you have the black brackets that hold the sq tubing then the Thermal shelter will fit.

[DTro]

Going with the bench this year. I had the dual seats last year. I'm looking forward to seeing which I like better as I've never had a bench before. I have a small Clam Pro for fishing alone.

The one benefit I can see is that you can squeeze a third guy there in a pinch. That's really tough to do with the 2 boat seats. Plus the fold up access will be nice.

Either way, I know I'll be happy with the Otter!

[Meyer8043]

I have had both and I think the bench was a lot more comfortable then the new pro series seats. It is nice to be able to take out a seat but nowhere to set anything unless you buy the caddy.

[Northlander]

I prefer the new seats over the bench. Pair them with the sportsmans caddy and its very comfortable and tons of storage for pop and other fishing gear.

[Toba]

I pull the house with a wheeler so wt is not that big of an issue. I hope to make it down to the ice show. It's hard to compare when most stores I go to don't have both lodges out to sit in.