Insulated portable fish houses worth it and does it work like they say?

[laker1]

Do the new portables that they say are insulated work or is it a gimmick? Is the cost and weight worth it?

[magnum mike]

It makes a difference. Worth is something you need to decide for yourself.

[Random guy]

I picked up a XT900 Otter Lodge this year and I am pretty happy with it. No condensation other then the windows may get a little foggy even in -10 this morning. I also notice the harsh winds have zero effect on the inside along with the fact instead of running my heater on high I run it on low. I also noticed the holes don’t freeze up at all even when it’s super cold.

[Northlander]

I agree with Johny. My new Otter Thermal Lodge was worth every penny and does keep me warmer with less heater required. One thing I like is its a lot quiter in the wind. The theraml canvas doesnt slap around like the non thermals do. Well worth the extra cost and little extra weight.

[IamZombie]

Love my nanook thermal, like they said, no condensation, holes don't ice up, and it stays warmer inside.

[Love2Cabin]

With the help from the guys on this site I got a Guardian r2 and just love it. Someone said once you fish in one you will never go back. They were so right. Warmer, quiet, and not much difference in weight. I still got the Treker for early and late ice when it is warmer out and I am pulling it but otherwise it is the insulated all the way. Listen to what these guys on the site are telling you. Most of them know what they are talking about.

[harvey lee]

I have owned and used my Canvas Craft for the past 4 winters. This house has no condensation inside, holes do not freeze up and it stays very warm in the house. I put a cieling fan in so I can heat it for very little.

As with most of the insulated portables, one can see very small sewing holes on the top where the insulation was sewed to the fabric. I do not know if that would ever have been an issue but I did spray a camp dry on the entire outside of the cieling.

Will you pay for the added cost in savings from gas, I would doubt it but the other factors will overrice that.

Canvas Craft is pretty much the pioneer in the insulated portables as they have been out for quite some time and they are very well built.

I am sure Otter has a very nice portable also as they build quality product also but I cannot speak how well it has performed as they just came out this year.

I have 2 other portables that are non insulted and I never use them any longer.

[goose89]

I put a cieling fan in so I can heat it for very little.

What kind of fan do you use HL?? AA, AAA or run off 12v batt?

[GRH]

I got a Canvas Craft house as well. Love it. Heater is on low if its on at all. Even kept us warm on LOTW. in -30 degree air temps.

[Dave]

If you're in the market for a shelter, spend a little extra for insulated. You will not regret it! Although, study how the insulated material is constructed. There's different levels of fabric quality and insulating capabilities that companies use, however. No, it won't add tons of weight either.

As mentioned by others, an insulated shelter has tons of benefits though. Some stats on the NorpacR2 insulated material from Canvas Craft will give you an idea just how much better you'll feel fishing in most any condition.

Still amazes me when NorpacR2 was tested with an 8K BTU heater with -10°F temps and a wind chill of -36°. Inside the shelter temps measured +48°F! In between the outer canvas layers measured 9°F. That is a lot of heat the NorpacR2 material's holding in and cold and air out. I doubt any competitor's insulated material can beat that.

NorpacR2 is Thinsulate Insulation quilted between two layers of flame resistant material and results in a shelter fabric with an “R” value of 1.4. No, moisture doesn't build up in between the outter fabric layers. Why does NorpacR2 contain Thinsulate Insulation? Well, look around, it's in tons of outdoor insulated clothing and boots because it's the best on the market. As far as the cost, factor in the propane savings and it's a winner.

Canvas Craft started the insulated shelter craze and look at all the companies trying to catch up, that should tell you something. But, they won't match the performance of NorpacR2. Once you fished in one, you won't give it back.

[harvey lee]

Goose89

I had a fan on the cieling bar and it ran it on 12v flasher battery.

I just purchased a computer fan that runs on 12v.

I have all my light strings wired in my tent poles and it is run to my Sportsman caddy from Otter Outdoors and they are wired to a toggle switch on the back side of the caddy. The flasher battery I have velcrowed inside the caddy.

I now have the fan on the top middle pole and then wired to another toggle switch in the caddy next to my light switch.

I set it up in the garge with the heater on and it moves just enough air that the temps are more even in the portable and I can turn the heat down a notch or two.

Took a little time to wire it the way I did but now everything is run of toggle switches.

I always carry an extra battery and I can open the top and change the flasher battery in a minute.

[laker1]

Lot of great info,keep it coming.Thanks.

[FISHINGURU]

Canvas Craft NorpacR2 FTW!!

[Dave]

laker1,

Ya pick a house up yet?

[V-12 Merlin]

According to the guys at Thorne Bro's, the insulated ones are worth it. I haven't tried one, but they were very convincing when I was in there looking at shelters this fall.

[dan z]

had a Frabill ranger xl for a few years and now I have a t600 otter cabin and I cant believe how I fished w/o some type of theraml cap or insulation its works just like they say it does. spend the extra dough you wont be sorry trust me.

Now on the other hand different brands may be better than others but something is better than nothing right?

[aczr2k]

Huh...Funny some of you die hard otter guys who preached the previous years that a insulated house wasn't worth the money changed your tune now that otter has finally caught up (well mostly) to Frabill. I will never go back to an uninsulated house.

[dan z]

Huh...Funny some of you die hard otter guys who preached the previous years that a insulated house wasn't worth the money changed your tune now that otter has finally caught up (well mostly) to Frabill. I will never go back to an uninsulated house.

bought cuz it was a great deal IMO and the ranger has to have a new zipper installed.

[walleye44]

Once you have fished in a Norpac Canvas Craft house you will always want to fish in one! Best house I have ever fished in. I have had Clams & Otters too, but they do not compare. When you can fish below zero, not get cold & do not get condensation build up in your house, you have the best house out there! Thanks Canvas Craft for a quality house! Add the fact that they are still 100% built in the USA too is another positive for me!

[MattL]

I have a Clam Yukon TC and that is definately a step up from the other houses I have had. This model has an insulated roof, but the sides are standard. It stays warm with a portable buddy down below zero. Any colder and it starts to get a little chilly. I would imagine and all insulated house would be even better, but this house is a good compromise because it saves a few pounds and when you are pulling by hand every pound counts.

[cavalierowner]

At the end of last ice fishing season I spent the morning in a Canvas Craft Norpac shelter (suitcase style). I couldn't believe how much more comfortable it was than my other 2 uninsulated portables. It made a believer out of me! The fact that it's a local manufacturer is the icing on the cake.

In fact early last week I ordered the 4x8 kit from Canvas Craft. I spent a couple hours building the base and the rest of the week watching paint dry. I picked up the rest of the fishhouse today and I'll finish assembling it tomorrow. I spent about $40 total on materials and it kept me off the streets!

I should add: anyone want to buy an uninsulated 4x6 shelter in good condition?It'll be going up on a-sales-site next week!

[wishing for walleyes]

I bought this frabil fortress gt about 4 years ago and other then marks from the pipes on the inside its like new.This is made of norpac by canvas craft.

[Dave]

Once you have fished in a Norpac Canvas Craft house you will always want to fish in one! Best house I have ever fished in. I have had Clams & Otters too, but they do not compare. When you can fish below zero, not get cold & do not get condensation build up in your house, you have the best house out there! Thanks Canvas Craft for a quality house! Add the fact that they are still 100% built in the USA too is another positive for me!

Agree, there's no comparison, IF some will look just a little closer before they buy. How about a more serious, and value positive, IMO. CC's NorpacR2 is, I believe, the only company who's thermal skin meets the CPAI-84 industry standard, a specification for flame-resistant materials used in outdoor fabric shelters. If people would really compare, that in itself is more value than others. Plus, it's a well known fact, NorpacR2 retains more heat than the competition. For me, I'll go for/with less shiny, but functional and proven frame system, and know I have the best thermal skin in the industry. And, true, the Otter sled is the best sled in the business and that's why the highest quality top is above that sled. All from a Minnesota company. Doesn't get any better than that!

[Hartley]

I have had a canvas craft otter skin with the thinsulate, and it is money well spent!!!