Canvas Craft poles... anyone had issues with them?

[Chode2235]

Had a chance to look at all the ice houses at the show last weekend (im looking for a 2 man in addition to my otter den 1 man), and I must say I was most impressed with the canvas craft houses. The material seemed much better than the otter thermal, and i liked the bright interior better than the frabill. Put that on an otter sled and youre golden... except...

The pole system seemed to flex a lot and seemed a definite step backwards to the others (and what is in my 5 yr old den).

Anyone here who runs one of these shacks want to comment on the pole system? Has it worked for you?

Also, are they galvanized steel (vs alum). I couldnt quite tell...

[harvey lee]

I have been using an insulated CC portables for the past 3 winters.

As far as I am concerned, they slide better than any portable out there made.

I have not had one issue with the poles as far as durabillity and I use mine quite a bit.

I do not know what the material is that they are made of, all I know is that they work great and I have not bent one to date.

Of the portables I have owned, I honestly believe they go up and down better than any other unit on the market.

[Hookmaster]

I bought a magnum double flip last year and still have one of the original Otter fish houses (1995) when they were made by Canvas Craft. The poles are not aluminum. I have not have any issue with them. Of course if you step on one it will bend. I think the Canvas Craft insulated fabric is the best. They make the skins for Frabill. With temps around 30 I can be comfortable with a Mr. Heater Jr. and this house is 6 feet by 11 feet!!

[harvey lee]

Yes, they are very easy to heat.

Another nice part is the interior is white or at least mine is and it is so easy to light up at night.

I put a Otter slider seat in it and the Otter box for the inside by my seat. I had to purchase a Otter seat rail to put the seat and box in the house. I had to make a few mods to the sled as it is just a tad different than the Otter sled but close.

I had the double flip over and man, one could have a dance in that portable.

[walleye44]

Had a chance to look at all the ice houses at the show last weekend (im looking for a 2 man in addition to my otter den 1 man), and I must say I was most impressed with the canvas craft houses. The material seemed much better than the otter thermal, and i liked the bright interior better than the frabill. Put that on an otter sled and youre golden... except...

The pole system seemed to flex a lot and seemed a definite step backwards to the others (and what is in my 5 yr old den).

Anyone here who runs one of these shacks want to comment on the pole system? Has it worked for you?

Also, are they galvanized steel (vs alum). I couldnt quite tell...

I have the Canvas Craft Northlander Magnum single sled with the Norpac material & I love it. At first, you look at the poles & think they are a step backwards. Let me tell you; they give you good clearance so the do not freeze up. I had the otter poles, which look nicer. The second day out I would have to unfreeze my otter extention poles before I could use them. There was no clearance at all on the otter poles & they would bind. The Canvas Craft poles are galvanized steel & are heavier, but are strong poles that you can actually use when it is cold out.

[dfeste]

I just picked up my Canvas Craft Magnum Single on "black friday" and thought the exact same thing. The poles are 1/2 and 3/4" EMT. Prior to purchasing I spoke with Ben via email and he assured me the pole system worked very well. I've come to the conclusion that sometimes simpler is better or "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." If you do have a problem with a pole I'm positive that CC would help you out but it would be really cheap and easy to go to a home improvement store and get the pieces needed to fix it yourself.

[JSK76]

C

anvas Craft poles might look low tech compared to Otter but I have a CC and Otter right now and the CC poles slide better and I haven't had any issues with durability. Your right The CC IS thicker about 3X thicker!

[Dave]

Had a chance to look at all the ice houses at the show last weekend.....and I must say I was most impressed with the canvas craft houses.

Personal experience for many years, I wouldn't own any other shelter. I believe a lot of people are drawn to the glitz and glamour of some ice shelters, like the fancy pole systems that may look cool but, don't work ALL the time. It appears you've really looked for what makes an ice shelter the best bang for the buck. Canvas Craft is the pioneer in the ice shelter industry. Its pole system has been tested for decades It's functional and strong, no doubt about it. No sense changing a system that works and passing those costs to the consumer.

"The material seemed much better" [compared to the competition] because it is. Norpac has more insulating capacity than most other shelters on the market. A lot of "thermal" shelters are using what Canvas Craft used many years ago. Canvas Craft is much more advanced than others in the heart of a shelter, the skin, which most consumers don't really compare, but should.

The lighter interior color is an extra bonus in functionality. Much easier to light up the interior, from natural or artificial light.

The high quality finish of a Canvas Craft shelter didn't come from slam bang manufacturing either. Don't take my word for it, stop in at Canvas Craft and watch the craftsmanship of the employees for yourself. They stitch and build these shelters like it was their very own.

[FISHINGURU]

I also own a Canvas Craft insulated and they are off the chain, best portables out there. I got the large she's a beast of nature and I never have my heat past the lowest setting. They do cost a bit more but well worth it, you can find deals on used ones if you look around.

[buzbunni]

Couldn't agree more with all of the positive posts re: Canvas Craft Ice Shelters.

I've had mine for 5 years and it's no worse for wear since the day I bought it. Well...it's a bit dirtier

Yes, the galvanized steel is a bit heavier than the aluminum. But (as has already been noted) they hold up longer and have zero binding issues.

Canvas Craft makes the best portable shelter out there. And this from a guy that also owns a Frabill and a Clam.

Get it.

[Chode2235]

Thanks gentlemen, thats what I needed to hear.

[Dave]

I put a Otter slider seat in it and the Otter box for the inside by my seat. I had to purchase a Otter seat rail to put the seat and box in the house. I had to make a few mods to the sled as it is just a tad different than the Otter sled but close.

Harvey,

I'd like to understand what mods you had to make, as Canvas Craft and Otter use Otter sleds.

[dfeste]

I should let Harvey answer this question. What I can say is that I just purchased my Canvas Craft magnum in the past couple of weeks and I also went with the Otter seat rail and seat system so that I could use the Caddy. The house is on the Otter Pro Magum sled and the rails went on just as they should. I did have to drill the holes to mount the rail so maybee the Otters come with those holes already drilled. The only other thing I can think of is that an older Otter sled could be a bit differant.

[queenpdog]

All this is great news for a girl who just spent hard earned cach on a CC flipover at the Ice Show. It's my first new shack (not hand-me-down) and I can't wait for the ice to thicken up. I feel like I got a good deal for buying the show floor model. I looked at everything out there and this was the obvious creme of the crop.

[dfeste]

I can't wait to get mine out either. I'm betting I'll like it a little more than the old QuickFlip 2 I have. They are a sweet house.

[Dave]

queenpdog,

Welcome to HSO. Enjoy it.

[FISHINGURU]

You won't be disappointed!

[walleye44]

"I put a Otter slider seat in it and the Otter box for the inside by my seat. I had to purchase a Otter seat rail to put the seat and box in the house. I had to make a few mods to the sled as it is just a tad different than the Otter sled but close."

"Harvey,

I'd like to understand what mods you had to make, as Canvas Craft and Otter use Otter sleds."

Great question Dave. I would like to heard this one. Maybe he just bought the CC SEAT & put them on the new rail??

[Chode2235]

So do the Canvas Craft houses come with the old style of Otter seats (the metal front to back brackets) or do they come with the lengthwise bar that the seats pivot on (and where you can get the caddy and other accessories)?

Seems odd to me that they would be the "old" style.

[dfeste]

Canvas Craft uses their own seats that mount side to side like the old Otter seats. I ordered the Otter seats and rail system and it cost me $240. The CC seats are either $80 or $90 each, can't remember right now. I am also curious what mods Harvey had to make. They are all Otter products so I simply drilled the holes, mounted the rails and I was set. Harvey Lee?

[simple1]

Anyone think I will be able to pull a Canvas craft double without the aid of any vehicle? I know they weigh around 100 lbs. I would like to get one, but do not have a sled or atv. The double is nice for my kids when they get older.

Thanks,

Simple1

[Dave]

I believe any seats or accessories Otter has, are available from Canvas Craft.

[Dave]

I have the magnum double that's in my avatar, pulled mine by hand some. Not much heavier than a single flip for the added space. It would benefit any Otter sled when pulled by hand, on ice, to add the hyfax, IMO. Feels less resistance when pulled behind you since the narrow strips of hyfax create less surface area that's like skating across the ice; if that makes sense. In snow, I can't tell for sure if hyfax is truly helping or not since the whole bottom sled surface is pulled through the snow. Depends how deep the snow is I would guess.

Even if your kids are small, the opposite side, without holes drilled, makes for a nice play area Good idea to plan ahead, since it'd probably be the last shelter you need to buy then.

[FISHINGURU]

100 lbs ain't nothin for a sled with hifax, it will weigh more then that though loaded with auger, heater, tank, tackle, rods, ect.

I have the Canvas Craft large single that weighs 108 lbs, I could pull that thing a country mile loaded as long as the snow wasn't 3ft deep.