Thoughts on lite weight, single flip over shanties.

[Bob Hicks]

I currently have a Clam Yukon, 2-seat flip up that I tow behind my snowmobile. I really like the shanty and I’m never cold inside when the weather is less than friendly outside. But I’m starting to get a little long in the tooth (71 years young) and pulling this monster on the occasional walk in trip is getting to be a bit much if you know what I mean. So, I’ve been doing some research on one-person flip over’s that I see a lot of the pros are using in their videos. I’m especially interested in quality and weight.

I’ve looked at Eskimo, Frabill, Clam, Otter, Shappell, and HT. The lowest weight figures come from Clam (38 lbs) and Shappell (37 lbs). All the rest come in at over 40 lbs with the Frabill Pro topping the list at 98 lbs. I’ll be adding about another 25 to 30 pounds of gear making the total somewhere close to 70.

I know I can go with even less weight by just using a medium or small JetSled sans tent, but hey, I like to be comfortable when I ice fish and sitting out in -20 wind chill ain’t cutting it.

So for those of you that already use a single flip over shanty, what are your thoughts/recommendations on the Clam Fish Trap or Trapper and the Shappell Rover 1? I think to rest would be just too heavy when loaded with my gear.

[dan z]

If you justify the extra few $$$ go with the full thermal one man flip covers. They can be heated by a candle so your not carrying added weight with a heater and propane. I love my Jason Mitchell pro one man. Lights battery bracket and a minnow bucket came with.

[broman]

Find a used Otter Den II. They are on the small Otter sled and very light.

[JSK76]

I ran a Jason Mitchell one man for 2 year and it was good. Can heat it with a Mr Heater Base Camp and that helps save some floor space. The weight is a bit more, I think mine was around 58lbs but you can take the seat out and use a light fold up seat in its place and save about 14lbs. Otter makes a great one man but with quality comes a bit more weight yet. The Clam x1 would be a bit lighter then the Otter if comparing both being thermals and a bit cheaper. I would put the x1 quality very close to otter.

[Bureaucrat]

This is a great question. I have a follow up, because I am in the same boat.

With a smaller rig like that, how does one situate their auger in a small flip over like that? I'm worried about being able to get all my stuff into a smaller trap.

I've already reduced some of my gear load, but i'm stretching at this point.

[Jim Uran]

Clam Scout TC has really been a tremendous shack for being light and staying mobile. If you get one, change the hardware (bolts nuts and washers) That was my only gripe about it, the cheapos that they come with don't hold after hours of use.

This shack is super light weight, the thermal cap help with condensation without adding too much weight like a full thermal, and in the Scout there is no sliding poles, you flip it and you are ready to fish.

[Bob Hicks]

If you justify the extra few $$$ go with the full thermal one man flip covers. (It weighs 76 lbs) They can be heated by a candle so your not carrying added weight with a heater and propane. I love my Jason Mitchell pro one man. Lights battery bracket and a minnow bucket came with.

[ammoman16]

Otter still does make 1 man houses and lists them on their site. If weight is the primary consideration, Otter is probably out of the question though.

http://www.rapala.com/Pro-XT1200-Shelter-Package/Pro%20XT1200%20Shelter%20Package,default,pd.html

[Esox_Magnum]

DO NOT buy a Clam Kenai, drags like a brick, my buddies scout pulls half as easy, my Otter Lodge honestly dont pull any harder...My next 1 man winn be the 1200 Cottage....

[aanderud]

Bob,

I cannot recommend any specific sleds, but one thing you may check out regardless of what model you get is some skis for underneath it. Makes a big difference dragging on skis versus the entire bottom of the sled. You'll be surprised. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say I think I could drag 200 lbs of gear around the lake on skis with less effort than it takes to drag 70 lbs in a one-man-flipover stock from factory. Not trying to convince you to drag 200 lbs around, just saying that after you've got your minimum-weight load all set up, might as well make it easy to pull around. Check this thread for some examples:

Darn Heavy Sled Thread

[magicstix]

Bob the difference between the scout and trapper is the seat, scouts seat is much more comfortable.

I'd recommend the scout because of ease of pulling. I got Scout bigmouth thermal last year and after putting it to use here's my pros and cons.

Pros:Pulls easy, easy to heat with a Buddy on low, I found the hardware to be great and easy to assemble, I used a 1/4" ratchet and didn't over tighten and put a drop off oil on threads before putting nuts on, it took a few trys to get the fabric just right on tub before screwing[i actually just put a couple screws in for the first few outings till the fabric streched and it was going to be where I wanted it], seats comfortable, all my stuff fits just perfect in tub[auger hangs out the back], No extending poles just flip and go, a well thought out shack its no wonder they still make them today.

Cons: No vents in thermal, door is really low for stepping in and out of shelter, storm flap around base of sled could be less drafty or more like an Otter flap[ I added my own flap like an otter and works much better].

If I could do it over I'd get another scout but just a thermal cap bigmouth so I could have some vents. I also added a Otter rod holder for my dead stick.

I had tried the ski thing a few years back and it does decrease the friction but didn't care for that setup that much. I may be inclined to try natureboys setup someday though. My 2cents.

[magicstix]

Also I used eyebolts and a few different size fender washser for rope mount. I then used a 1/2" or 5/8" rope about 20' long, I'm walking in front of sled about 10'. The buddy heater slides right in next the seat. Some rope lights that run off my flasher battery. Another note is the FT takes up a bigger footprint in the back of the SUV.

I went from a Den to the scout because of ease of pulling in snow. I liked the Otter a lot but was a beast to pull and was difficult to heat when it was cold out. It weighed 54lbs with my seat setup and was 62lbs with skis added to it.

For more roominess a FT pro or the Legend but I have no expirence pulling them. I did get to check out a Legend recently and is very roomy but question if it will stand the test of time. I tend to take care of my gear and keep it for a long time. If I had to buy a new shelter every few years because of breakage I wouldn't be happy.

[Brad B]

the Clam Trapper is discontinued but to make it all a person would have to do is buy a Scout and leave the seat out and replace with one of the Clam cooler chairs. that was the chair that came in the Trapper last year. also the only Scout this year that has the thermal top is the Scout EXP. the only difference over a regular Scout is that the bar that touches the ice expands and gives you more fishable area and it has the thermal top. the regular Scout no longer comes with the thermal top. a person how ever can still order a replacement thermal top tent for them if you don't mind spending the extra money for the different tent for your regular Scout but at that point you are better off if you buy the EXP since it would save you money plus give you that larger fishable area.

[Bob Hicks]

I went with the Shappell FX100 because the Lehi, UT store had them in stock and they let me have the floor model which was already assembled. I've used it once so far and find that I'll have to make some slight adjustments in my fishing style due to size constraints compared to my 2-person Yukon. But I really like the half-flip wind breaker position. I think I'll be using that setup as much as the full flip, fully enclosed position. Cabela's did not have the cover for the FX100 so I have one on order from Franks Outdoors in Michigan and it should be here in a couple of days. Life is good.

[tengy]

Shappell bay runner. Looks good!