Buying Fish House Help........

[bassNspear]

Hey All,

I'm looking at Ice Castles. i know there is alot of you on here that own them, or are looking to get one! My girlfriend and i are in the process of looking at them. Ran up and went through a ton of them today, and have it figured out that i want to do a 8x16!

When is the best time to get a good deal?

What models have you guys purchased?

What do you like or dislike about them?

TOY hauler or no?

What would you change if you were to buy it agian, or change something?

I don't need contact info or offers to sell please.

Thanks all for the help. Just want to gather all the information before making the plunge.

[larryz]

We bought a 8x16 Mille Lacs in Milaca. They order this model with the Trophy Hunter floor plan which we like the best. The Mille Lacs also has all cedar interior. We also ordered it with the walls and floor spray foamed. No Toy Hauler for me. When the ice is ready for the weight of the fish house I can drive my truck on it. I would rather have the bay window!!

Good luck with your purchase!!!

[Iambjm]

Just keep in mind that an 8X16 will weigh between 3500-4000 pounds and if you stick a 4 wheeler in there it will add another 500-700 pounds depending on the model.

[bassNspear]

floor spray foam??

[bassNspear]

do you have inside photos larry??

[BigDogRob]

2011 8'x17' w/4'-V RV Edition. Bathroon with flush toilet, shower, and a kitchenette with running water and double sinks, microwave, fridge... yadda yadda yadda. I know it was an all out and we were intent on buying a Mille Lacs edition and went to purchase one. Then we actually took a good look at this one and it was Easter weekend this spring, so we looked at it as we were replacing a camper as well, so the upgrade was a good fit for us and it was only an extra $1500 to the total anyways. If you are going to get one I would make a few different calls to dealers to find the best deal out there. We got ours from Milaca unclaimed freight, but there are others who will also work with you to get the best deal out there! I will say to buy one that you can look at in person and not ordered due to some who don't take as much pride when doing interiors of any houses... I will say if you are going to buy one get them to throw in two 30# filled tanks, a Gel cell battery upgrade, and a couple extra pins. We also swapped out the tan cushions and blinds out for the camo style at no extra cost. Don't forget to get a spare tire! ($165)We got ours with the bay window instead of a ramp door due to the size of the house and that we can't pull it with an ATV anyways. (too heavy) We also thought the beds for that style looked not as nice, and if we are going as a family we wouldn't be venturing out with portables much anyways. (The bay window is sure great to look out in the summer when parked at the lakes also! Now my porty fits in the screened camper door and the plow blade also does, the ATV fits in the truck and I can still do that for a guys weekend... It has an antannea and not the satellite hook-up which wasn't a big deal to us, but some prefer that. I also know that with the AC unit it sure makes it nice when out camping this last summer, and it works on my 2500w generator, which they said wouldn't and wanted to sell me a couple Honda's. The gel battery worked with the furnace for two days with minimal lights. Sorry I got lengthy, but I really like mine and looked at it as a family investment for many years to enjoy together. Besides it sure makes a great lawn ornament right now...lol

The only thing I can think of changing will be a spray foamed floor for next year. I also got the removable rattle reels which makes it nice for summer camping and when wanting to jig in the daylight hrs. I know it was a spendy unit, but compared to what some are dumping into the Lodge and others mine was actually pretty cheap... A $25k fish house definately wasn't in my budget! Besides the Frames on the new Ice Castles are built much better than in years past:-) I guess no matter what if a house goes down it won't matter which one you own... Just remember it's not a peeing contest on the lake it's in what you find the most reasonable and functional! One other thing you will like with the carpeted floors is a slush bucket or a slush inhaler. again, sorry for the lengthy post, but I have nothing better to do since mine is in the front yard just waiting for some thicker ice right now.

Happy Hunting!

[noodlerod]

Nice houses for sure !!!!! B&S if ya get one it might not get out on TWIN this year the way the ice is ! (OMG did i just say TWIN where is that anyway) LOL JK B&S but they are CADILACS of permi's

[BigDogRob]

I think there are a few lakes that are questionable and will be for most of the winter unless we really get some cold weather! They are dropping houses all over the place so it makes me slightly nervous, that's why mine is still in the yard. That and with not having a few extra days it didn't pay to head to Red or LOW and right back home in a day. Yeah, I guess I like not having to worry about the 50 mph winds once she is set down...lol

[bassNspear]

bigdog,

why spray foam on floors??

what does a guy have to do to pump the toliet if he gets the flusher vs a pail!!

[BigDogRob]

Bass n Spear, from what I have seen it keeps the floor warmer and you can walk around bare feeted or slippers. It also makes you use less propane due to the constant cold from the floor. I also noticed it doesn't melt the ice under the house as fast if you stay for a weekend sometimes when you raise the house you will notice that there is a solid glare sheet under your house where it sat. That tells me that it slowly is deteriating the ice under you, not enough to make you worry for a weekend or anything just that it does when it's lower ice conditions and if you leave your heat on all the time if you leave your house on the lake. Basically, it is the exact same as a camper for the toilet. You empty it at a campground or your septic at home then flush with water. Take RV antifreeze and put it in the freshwater tank pump it through the system, and drain it out the side of the house. I don't think it is worth the chance of a frozen tank or a broken pipe from the cold. I have heard of some using one all winter with the anti-freeze, but the cost of a repair isn't worth it to me. Also at $3-5/gal the cost would be pretty high if used all winter! I plan on using bags in the toilet in the winter! Then we also use kitty litter in the bottom of the bag for smell also like prementioned. You could also bring a bucket for the winter if wanted.

[Bothun]

Insulating the floor keeps your tootsies warmer. It also helps keeping the heat in the house more even from floor to ceiling. I personally would have a contractor spray the floor. The foam that they use is a DIY kit and it costs about double just for the product without labor charges.

[BigDogRob]

Yeah, I found kits to do at home for about $250 and up and if I have someone come do it for me it is about $190, the only difference is that I could do two with a home kit, but the tanks need to be a certain heat, they can't stop spraying for a certain time without clogging the $4 tips in the gun or worse plugging the gun itself. Way too many possibilities for my simple self!

[bassNspear]

so they can do this to any house, or you have to order it this way

[BigDogRob]

You can order it done before you pick it up which would be a good idea if you are getting one in the winter so it don't get a salt layer inbetween the frame/floor and foam... other wise clean and spray it off in the summer and do it once clean and dry.

They are not done from factory unless ordered that way that I know of.

[merrier212]

We got the 8x16 mille lacs and love it here are a few things to consider.

1. We love the bay window makes it feel much bigger. also consider adding windows above dinette, adds a lot. also it is a perfect place to put a window a/c unit in the summer months.

2. we did not spray foam the floor we just got the cheap added insulation under the carpet. We have been out in -20 and walk bare foot no problem. house stays extremely warm.

3. Be sure to get ceder, smells good and with minnows and fish and such helps to keep it fresh.

4. consider electric auger gas inside house really not fun!

5. I would stick with the camper siding the smooth shows dings and scratches too much for me.

6. Make sure they give you a automatic change over propane regulator, they come standard with only one pig tail..

7. we went with fiberglass insulation and it is defiantly warm enough. but that is a matter of preference and budget.

8. The only thing we don't 100% care for is the white counter tops... I think you can upgrade..

we had ours custom built through milaca unclaimed freight after researching prices etc. for about a year it made to most sense to us to get everything we want... good luck and i will be more than happy to answer any questions you have

[bassNspear]

merrier,

how do you feel about fit n finish? are you running a generator?

im sure i will have more questinos as i go along here. Iv been really working hard to make sure i do it right the first time and not get something i regret.

[BigDogRob]

Ours came with a gray flake coated tops on everything. I agree that looks better. I have seen one house with the upper windows above the bay. That looked different. I would have backed into the overhang of the garage twice though, and to fit it and both vehicles in front of it then it wouldn't work for me. I do like the extra cabinets above the wheel wells. Mine doesn't have that, and I wish it did. May need to order a couple from Montevideo and put them up. I did find that the single post on our big table doesnt' allow you to put a weighted elbow on the outside front edge with out dumping stuff on the table. (oops) I haven't seen any other house that I would trade mine for though. It has everything we need and then some. I also am planning on a roll out awning on mine for next summer or the one after.

[bassNspear]

best add on you put on your houses?

[merrier212]

I do run a generator but just to keep the batteries charged, I have a 3000W inverter i put up to run the TV and DVD player. There is a 12v plug ins where I put my TV(had this added) as well as 1 110v. I would also look into fluorescent lighting if available (drains batteries pretty fast as is) I will be changing mine next year. Not sure what you mean by "fit n finish"

[BigDogRob]

I would say the removable rattle reels that just leaves a small plastic holder on the wall when you pull them off. Also TP and paper towel holders. less to roll around going down the road. I also like my Flat Screen with built in DVD player for the daughter's movies and the news at night... We didn't need too many add on's for what we bought, it was a pretty loaded edition.

[BigDogRob]

Merrier, when you use the inverter is that through the generator or is it off of the battery? I was thinking about getting something that would charge and allow me to use the TV without the Generator running all the time.

[Bothun]

Another advantage of spray foaming the floor is reduction in weight. I know alot of houses are built with laying the plywood down on the frame then 2" board stock insulation then another layer of plywood. The foam boardstock weighs next to nothing but the plywood is heavy. Also, it will keep your frame 2 5/8 inches closer to the ice. Kinda nice when you can see your bobber sticking up from the other side of the house.

[Set n Hooks]

If I could give any advice, it would be go new. Don't buy a used one of their older models. My buddy has one and they have had nothing but problems. The door/doorframe was junk, the ceiling sags down and the top bunk doesn't latch right, welds broke on the drop hitch and they ended up dragging the front of their frame 100 yards down the road, recently had to grind down a little of the axle stub because the grease couldn't get in there, the grease zerts had to be replaced, and worst of all, the outside of the frame is made of 3/16 angle iron. If someone were to hit you, or you back into something, might as well consider that frame junk. With the square tubing frames now, they are much more durable and provide more strength in my opinion. That's just my $0.02.

[merrier212]

I miss spoke previously It is actually a 750 watt inverter and yes I use it off the batteries. with everything running I could last all night with out the use of the generator. I usually just run it once during the day to charge batteries. here is some pics of how i set it up. I highly recommend the 12v socket by the TV. as well as the one by the holes for camera etc.

[dougger222]

My wifes step dad bought a 6.5x14+V back in 06 for $10,800!!! It had the rear barn doors which never stayed shut and the inside quality was poor. It was very easy to move up and down but he paid way too much for what he got. When it was 3 years old I turnd down a $5,000 offer to purchase it.

At the ice show it looks like all the IC's run a different cover than what they used to. The big unit with the triple axle fifth wheel had cracks in the covers. Figured it was foot traffic that did the damage as there was no atv door, this was a shock to me.

If you shop around and go in other brands you may end up changing your mind on IC's. The big brand covers for example are rated to park an atv tire on it, they are made here in MN were the ones in the IC's come out of China.