Where can I see Canvas Craft houses in the Mpls area???

[gonehunting]

The medium and the magnum would be great displays. The magnum uses the same sled as the Otter Lodge which I believe would be the biggest competitor along with Frabill.

[highlife4me]

Bought my Canvas Craft two years ago. I had stopped in at the Rogers location since I was in the area. I wanted to look at one before I bought one but they didn't have one to display. But they were able to show me how their shelters were designed and got to watch how they were built. I was there for well over an hour with the salesmen and he was able to answer every question I had. Ordered my shelter on the spot and five days later I was assembling it in my garage. No problems and no regrets. Would buy another one in a heartbeat but I think this one will last a very long time.

If you would visit their factory you would understand why they don't have any on display. Canvas Craft builds canopies and awnings, truck and trailer tarps, boat covers and upholstery and fish houses. They just don't have the room for displays.

[Dave]

Bigred, how would I be promoting when Canvas Craft doesn't even sponsor this site. Anyway, like on a phone, you can visualize a lot about a person from how they write and it may not be true at all. But, I'm visualizing your posts and am thinking, calm down.

I have absolutely no skin in this game. I own a Canvas Craft house is all and happen to know quite a few facts about the company, that you don't know (no, Dottie's not a relative)and everyone there is always pleasant to talk with, in person or on the phone. I just find your posts really odd that she replied to your simple question with a simple one word answer ("no", as you stated earlier) and that set you off, like you deserved an explanation from her why they have non on display. Why would she even need to know. And, you hung up on her! Guess I'm calling a spade a spade and don't believe she was as rude as you want others to think. A little different that they no longer have display models, yes, but, it must not bother many.

Just sit in an Otter and picture it in your mind.....warmer, with a better quality fabric but less fancy framework Comparing a 20K and up dollar purchase versus $500, for wanting to "sit in it", is a little overkill to me but, whatever, that's your choice as a consumer.

I do find it odd CC removed the price list from the HSOforum, however. I'll call and ask just out of curiosity.

[outkast7222]

When I inquired there was also a 6-8 week lead time.

[aczr2k]

I too have been in the Rogers store, they used to have room for a few houses set up and usually had a few houses on display. I would sure think boat canvas business in the winter is non-existent. Seems to me they don't really want to sell fish houses anymore, if they did they would be promoting them more. If you don't have room for 2-3 houses on display or be able to show an assembled one you need to do some house cleaning. I understand not being at the ice show, it takes quite a few house sales to recoup the $3000 booth space plus having people at the booth for 3+ days.

[bigred1974]

Dave, it wasnt the no that set me off,,, it was the, "REALLY????" That did, like im not worthy of being talked to as an adult, or was wasting her time. Id LOVE to see their houses, I'd like to sit in one, id like to customize an insulated cabin model and show it off. Ive fished these before, but I wont be talked to like im troubling someone either.

[Iceboy]

Seems like there is a chance they are selling all of the houses they care to make (with a long waiting list to boot), so they don't really need to have a presence at either ice shows or even at their store. Not every business owner wants their business to grow, so this kinda makes sense.

I'm just going to keep my eyes open while out on the ice for one, and hopefully whoever owns it will let me check it out. Sounds like I couldn't get one this year anyways, so I can wait.

Thanks for all of the responses - didn't really mean for this to get "heated". Then again, they are supposed to be pretty sweet THERMAL houses!

[Dave]

Bigred,

I understand you more clearly now and at times, we all have to take the high road if someone might be having a bad day. We never know what someone is dealing with in life at that moment.

As mentioned, not only trying to recoup the fee for the Ice Show space but, paying staff overtime for the 3+ extra days, they'd need to sell quite a few shelters to break even. After attending the Ice Show since probably the first year, maybe it was time to pull out. And, as far as growing the ice business, how can small companies like Canvas Craft (with possibly your neighbor building your shelter) compete with much larger corporations that manufacture overseas. You'd be surprised at the small profit margins of CC's shelters. Must have something to do with the main ingredient, the quality of fabric And, it's not just a matter of making more shelters to grow but, business wise, how many more shelters can they produce during the seasonal time and maintain loyalty to your employees to not have to layoff someone during the off season. Canvas Craft is about more than just making a buck.

[FISHINGURU]

Heads up for you guys wanting one of these, the Magnum won't fit in your truck unless you have the 8ft bed but it's the Cadillac of all shacks. I owned one for a few yrs then sold it so I could get the Medium, that one fits in perfect with a couple inches to spare.

I'd recommend all you guys NOT to get one, that way when I want another one I won't have as long of a wait.

[Dave]

What kind of truck? I believe Magnum's fit in a extended cab short box but probably not in the crew cab "shorter box" trucks.

[Iceboy]

The fabric is honestly the biggest selling point for me, followed by the fact that they will put in a custom door for me behind the seats for getting out while sight fishing over a large hole in front. It wouldn't be cheap, but I'd probably keep it forever if it was done up right.

[aczr2k]

ICEBOY.. Why not look for a Frabill Predator with the Norpac insulation? Canvas craft made the fabric for Frabill and they already come with a rear door. Keep in mind the new models are not Norpac.

[slick2526]

Maybe you should just email a link of this thread to them.

[pheasantpete]

ICEBOY.. Why not look for a Frabill Predator with the Norpac insulation? Canvas craft made the fabric for Frabill and they already come with a rear door. Keep in mind the new models are not Norpac.

Seems Frabill quit using canvas craft in 2010 or possibly 2011 on some models. If you got lucky you could find a 2011 Norpac CC built tent on some Frabills being sold in 2012. So you might find an older one at a little bait shop assuming they did not sell many and did not clear them out. But if they know what they are doing they will ask more for the Norpac Frabill. Lots of ifs. Trying to find a used one may work but there is high demand already this year.

[aczr2k]

I happen to know where there is a brand new assembled Norpac Predator in storage...Just waiting for mine to wear out.

[BartmanMN]

Couple of those norpac predator's on the list right now too. Around the 700 range.

[Iceboy]

I'm not seeing the Norpac Predator's on the c list. PM me some links? This would definitely be a nice option, and they seem to be outfitted perfectly for me.

The Thermal Predator's on the Frabill HSOforum show as in-stock and with Norpac - are you sure they aren't using that fabric anymore? Or perhaps you are just saying that CC doesn't sew them anymore?

[harvey lee]

Well they sure WILL NEVER see a dime from me. I called up there and asked if they had any houses set up to look at. All I got was "no". A pause because I guess with a snide no, I was waiting to hear something else. She said, "hello???" I said, "wow you reall dont?" I get a "REALLY??". I hung up. Dottie from canvas craft, you just lost a potential sale and possibly some more with your rudeness. Customer service?? None

I spoke with Dottie today in regards to getting a couple new poles. She checked and they had them on hand and said they will ship Speedy today and I would have them tomorrow. That's darn good service anywhere today.

Anytime I have ever called to CC, Dottie has always been fantastic to me and the CS has been above and beyond.

I have no idea what was said on the phone when you talked to Dottie but as always, there are 2 sides to every story.

[harvey lee]

I too have been in the Rogers store, they used to have room for a few houses set up and usually had a few houses on display. I would sure think boat canvas business in the winter is non-existent. Seems to me they don't really want to sell fish houses anymore, if they did they would be promoting them more. If you don't have room for 2-3 houses on display or be able to show an assembled one you need to do some house cleaning. I understand not being at the ice show, it takes quite a few house sales to recoup the $3000 booth space plus having people at the booth for 3+ days.

Lots of locatons in this country where people boat year round so to say the boat canvas business is non existant may be a stretch. There is a reason CC is so far behind in thier orders for portables, they make one of the best on the market today and they sell themselves. Word of mouth is better than any add a company can buy.

[FISHINGURU]

What kind of truck? I believe Magnum's fit in a extended cab short box but probably not in the crew cab "shorter box" trucks.

My bad, I meant the Large will not fit in your truck bed unless you have the 8 footer so I had to get the Magnum. The Magnum fits perfect in a standard bed with a couple inches to spare.

Can't we edit posts anymore? I was going to fix my post so I don't confuse anyone looking to buy one but there is no edit button.

Now I see on this post there is an edit button, must not be able to edit after a certain amount of time.

[CaptainMusky]

Guru, I don't know the specifics but the edit button goes away after a period of time.

[Dave]

I can't wait to break out the Canvas Craft soon.

[Iceboy]

Sweet picture!

[Dave]

Thanks!

[FISHINGURU]

Your getting me stoked to pull mine out, just fired up the auger tonight.