Clam/Otter vs Frabil

[BartmanMN]

Things may be changing as company's evolve into different areas, however history has shown this:

Clam - #1 for mobility and portability (lite and easy to pull by hand)

Otter - #1 sled in business, best for towing distances behind snowmachine, 4wheeler

Canvas Craft - #1 thermal on the market as someone last year clearly showed in pictures the difference in the thickness of the Norpac material compared to the Otter insulation. Plus it comes on the Otter sled, so best of both worlds.

Frabill - I can't think what they are #1 in, but their houses are nice, quality appears to be high. Overall very nice houses.

Many others to compare as well like Eskimo, etc.

[DTro]

When new technology arises you will usually have companies that outshine others. That will last for a period of time while others play catch up. As technology ages, most all major companies will offer very comparable products.

I feel that is where we are now with flipover style houses. Get out there and find what works best for you, there is really no bad choice. A few of your choices might be local companies, that is one bonus of choosing them. You could very well be supporting your neighbor with your purchase.

Now if you are talking hub or pop up style houses, the technology is a little newer and some companies are not only playing catch up, but don't even offer a choice. I was able to hear first hand from owner of Clam about the push for quality and financial commitment to make customers happy and offer a wide variety of products. He seemed genuine and was very convincing to me.

[bassNspear]

i had a canvas craft. nice house, but way to heavey

[Mike Stark]

i had a canvas craft. nice house, but way to heavey

They are heavy. Not the best sled for pulling by hand through semi-deep snow.

[Rick]

I have to tell you, if you're looking for a one man portable fish house, the Jason Mitchell Pro Thermal is one bad unit!!!

Rarely need to heat it. The sled is as tough as they get, it's lite and very mobile. The seat movement/comfort is awesome. Lighting is good and whoever thought of that bait bucket system...well there's technology for you!!

I suggest anyone deciding what to buy should go on down to Thorne Bros, Cabelas, or wherever they have them up and try them out.

I like my one man so much I'm getting the 2 man Jason Mitchell Thermal X on Monday. Partly because I saw this too:

Watch more videos here at HSOshow

It really is a new era with Clam improving their technology in their line-up.

[Northlander]

Im like Johny P. my Otters are on the ice almost daily and some times twice or 3 times a day running from lakes to rivers etc. I have NEVER had a Otter Sled issue. Not 1. That in the 20 plus years I have been using Otter houses. The new thermal added to it makes the warmest house I have fished out of. The seat design is top notch.

No matter what house you wind up with spend the extra money and get the hyfax it will add many years to the life of your tub.

[FJK]

I went to Cabela's yesterday to compare the otter lodge and the similar size clam. After going back and forth, back and forth between the two.. the sales associate suggested checking out the frabill. I had my mind set on an otter or clam but must admit I liked the frabill predator best of all three. I would have bought one but I wanted to stop at canvas craft as well. To my disappointment they had no display models available to look at. I've heard good things about cc

and like the idea of supporting a local business but not being able to show me a fish house in the middle of November was a big turn off. They said they would have them out in two or three weeks.. bad business in my opinion.

Anyhow, probably going with frabill.. now i need to decide between insulated or non. I can't say I've ever been cold in a house w a heater and I'm not concerned w the cost difference. Everyone seems to be "thermal" happy.. I'm curious if anyone doesn't care for the thermal and why?

[Random guy]

One place a thermal is not the best choice is when weight is a factor. Say the guy that jumps around small lakes out of the back of a SUV. He is going to want something light that loads and pulls ultra-easy as he is the one on the move every 1/2 hour or need s to pull his house by hand back up a brushy bank to the road. Plus cost plays into it. If you are looking to save some money non insulated houses have less cost to manufacture so of course a smaller price tag.

That is why many companies make multiple versions to fit the consumer needs. Otter has two versions of houses. The XT900 with fully insulated walls and ceiling. This house is heavier but much warmer and from my experience dry and can be heated with the smallest of heaters. Otter also offers the Wild T600 with just a thermal top. Lighter with smaller price that fits an angler that is watching the budget a little bit or needs a lighter house. I see just about every company offers multiple choices making it a bit confusing but the main reason for non-insulated would be weight reduction and cost.

[Gus]

Don't forget eskimo!

I distinctly remember seeing last years model in my local bait shop and being really impressed with it.

I own 2 clam shelters and 1 Otter. Like them both for different reasons and I have owned Frabil as well. I owned the frabill back before the big flip over craze. At the time I thought the frabill was better than any of the offerings from clam, but that was so long ago it's not a fair comparison today.

Just don't forget to check out eskimo!

[fishersofmen]

Eskimo is fine if your looking for something cheap and light. But if your your willing to pay more and want quality and durability I would look elsewhere. I have one (would never buy one again) and still use it on occation if i'm walking out a long way or want to go light. It has holes in the tub and canvas but it works. The Predator is a good choice and I would go thermal if I had to do it again. I installed reflectix which helps but wish I had gone thermal.

[fishersofmen]

It looks like Eskimo has a new thermal house out now as well, the Flip Mo 3. Has anyone purchased one of these yet? Wondering if they have improved the quality of their tub and how their thermal canvas stacks up? Seats still don't look the best but maybe they aren't too bad. Maybe Eskimo has improved their houses since I bought mine...........

[FJK]

One place a thermal is not the best choice is when weight is a factor. Say the guy that jumps around small lakes out of the back of a SUV. He is going to want something light that loads and pulls ultra-easy as he is the one on the move every 1/2 hour or need s to pull his house by hand.

Thank you for your thoughts Jonny P. You have me pegged.. usually fishing by myself, pulling by hand, moving two or three times an outing, and loading my gear up in the back of an ext length family SUV. Guess I should research wieghts of different units. Any suggestions on next size smaller than the otter lodge? If I recall correctly, it seemed the smaller tents lacked quality in the pole system and the sleds appears cheap. Thanks.

[RiverChuckNorris]

Any suggestions on next size smaller than the otter lodge? If I recall correctly, it seemed the smaller tents lacked quality in the pole system and the sleds appears cheap. Thanks.

FJK - Take a look at the Otter cabin. It's a smaller/lighter two man that you can stand up in AND has the same pole structure as the bigger lodge.

After reading what some had to say in this thread, I did some more research online and then at the Blaine Expo and I have to say, Otter builds the best house TODAY based on:

1. the sled manufacturing process

2. the quality (pole structure, thermal canvas process)

3. Innovation (the new seat support structure esp)

I purchased a Frabill predator two seasons ago but if I were to buy something today, it would be the Otter, hands down.

[FJK]

Thanks for the input, I agree with everything you stated, well put. I was also at the Blaine expo and checked them all out. I'm going with the thermal otter cabin, very nice hose! Looking forward to something more reliable.. i fished out of an eskimo insulated fatfish last year. Seemed as though each time i took it out something broke, ripped, etc to the point where i couldn't use it by the end of the year.

[RiverChuckNorris]

Congrats and enjoy! I think my buddy is going to purchase the same setup shortly.

[coffee]

I bought the Frabil Guardian (2-Man) last year. Love it. All things about it are good quality.

[whitebassman]

So I'm looking for a flip over sled too this year.

Down to the Frabill Trekker DLX Thermal and the Otter Cottage.

I'm looking for a 1-2 man. I want it light enough to pull by hand.

Anyone know why the Frabill Trekker DLX does not have the Norpac thermal? They only state it is a premium 3 ply and just as good without the brand name. That is according to an email I got back from Frabill. So far I like the Frabill more as its full thermal and bigger size and $100 less. But I want to make sure there is no difference in the thermal "premium 3-ply" vs. the Norpac.