Otter Canvas

[jerkbait]

I am looking at getting a new insulated skin for my Otter cabin, but after reading this I am looking at the Canvas Craft skins. My current Otter has the new poles in it and they work great. I looked at the Canvas Craft pole system, and it looks cheap and flimsy. Do you have to use the Canvas Craft poles that come with it or will the skin fit the Otter poles?

I have been using the Canvas craft pole system since 2001. I have had 2 different houses and have never had a problem with them. The nice thing is they run them looser so they will never freeze together if they get some condensation in them. Go with the Canvas Craft, you will not regret it.

[rcr]

After doing some research with Otter I found that the holes shown in the 1st post are from the diameter of the needle used to sew the canvas. Otter tried several diameter needles and found that this size needle worked best as far as being able to still sew in a good diameter thread that was durable and would hold up over time. Yes there is some small holes after that size needle goes through the canvas.

I will say My Otter 1200 Thermal does not have any of these needle holes. I can honestly say I have been nothing but happy with my 1200 thermal and will not ever own a non thermal house again. Warmer, no drips, save a lot of propane and no wind flapping noises.

You are correct,my Otter thermal cabin I had wasn't like this. Thanks for cking on that, but they will have to rethink this whole process, because air just blows in along ALL the lines of stitching . Would you be HAPPY with that ?? I know my heater couldn't keep up with the air blowing in. This is by FAR the worst sewing job of any shelter company ive ever seen, and for them to sit back is unbelievable. I know for a fact that im the 5th person to return one at the store where I purchased mine for the same reason. Im considering a switch to a frabil thermal predator, they have that canvas made at canvascraft, im just not sure of their sleds to make the jump yet. I hope by next year OTTER has this taken care of.

[Northlander]

Believe me they have seen this post and Im sure they will take action to improve the issue.

[harvey lee]

rcr, I would for sure check out a Canvas Craft, you get the great quality canvas cover and still get one of the best tubs on the market today. Not sure how Frabil could beat that combo.

IN regards to CC's poles, they are well built and after 5-6 years, my poles are all great except for one I bend while pulling my portables across the lake with the house set up behind my sled. Should not have done that as it hit a pile of ice and I was going way faster than I should have been going.

The poles have plenty of clearance and go up and down as easy as any pole made and yes, durable.

One would more than likely have to wait as they have had a waiting list for portables, grat house, sell's well.

[harvey lee]

I am looking at getting a new insulated skin for my Otter cabin, but after reading this I am looking at the Canvas Craft skins. My current Otter has the new poles in it and they work great. I looked at the Canvas Craft pole system, and it looks cheap and flimsy. Do you have to use the Canvas Craft poles that come with it or will the skin fit the Otter poles?

Buddy of mine tried to put a CC skin on a Otter tub and poles, a no-go. That was a few years ago so I would casll CC and check but I believe yes, the difference is in the poles size. I would go with the CC poles and the new CC skin, then you will have the best of all world's.

Poles are very good, as good as any pole system I have owned including my Otter house. Thats why I now use my CC all the time. Sometime's looks are decieving.

Do a search on the HSO HSOforum and I would almost 100% for sure say you would not find anyone complaining about the CC poles as far as preformance, not 1. That should go with the CC skin also.

[Mike Stark]

I love my Canvas Craft house. Never had an issue with the poles. High quality product made in the USA.

[dfeste]

I've had my Canvas Craft for 3 years now. I will admit that I did not care for the pole system when I first saw it. After 3 years with zero issues I've changed my mind. The conduit is not the flashiest or most up to date pole system out there but it flat out works. If something does go wrong you know that CC will stand behind it. I also know that in a pinch I can fix any issues with the poles by making a trip to any home improvement store. The materials are readily available and simple to work with.

I won't even start about the quality of a Canvas Craft skin. There's a reason you never hear complaints about it. It is and probably always will be the best out there.

For a couple of years Canvas Craft did in fact make the skins for the insulated Frabill houses. That is no longer the case. They are also made over seas.

[BradHawthorne]

I run both the XT1200 and a few XT 650's, fourteen of them in total. I don't want to stand on a soapbox here but man..I've run them all, yes every brand of portable on the market.

I settled on Otter years ago because I can run them commercially, everyday without failure or annoying issues. The houses I ran before Otter all had major issues for the way I was using them, poles that would bend like a pop can, black coatings that would rub off, sleds that I was lucky to get a season out of, windows cracking, etc.

Otter went away from the black coating to move to the double wall construction because it's way more durable and less problematic. ie, no more black coating peeling or rubbing off. In my mind it is a huge improvement over what some companies are still using. With the double wall construction you do have the seams, but when you compare the light that gets through on the diamond pattern welded stuff or the black coating paint the Otter XT650 have way, way less light coming through. If you want dark go with the XT1200

[rcr]

I run both the XT1200 and a few XT 650's, fourteen of them in total. I don't want to stand on a soapbox here but man..I've run them all, yes every brand of portable on the market.

I settled on Otter years ago because I can run them commercially, everyday without failure or annoying issues. The houses I ran before Otter all had major issues for the way I was using them, poles that would bend like a pop can, black coatings that would rub off, sleds that I was lucky to get a season out of, windows cracking, etc.

Otter went away from the black coating to move to the double wall construction because it's way more durable and less problematic. ie, no more black coating peeling or rubbing off. In my mind it is a huge improvement over what some companies are still using. With the double wall construction you do have the seams, but when you compare the light that gets through on the diamond pattern welded stuff or the black coating paint the Otter XT650 have way, way less light coming through. If you want dark go with the XT1200

Brad, if was only light coming thru the holes I could live with that, but they are HOLES and the air blows in along all the seams that you see in the pics, its like they used a 16 penny nail to sew it.... ITS not a anomaly, its a proven problem that needs fixed... I haven't seen it in any xt1200's

So your saying we should live with air blowing in all the seams/HOLES not to have the black coating peel off ???? Really ??

[gonehunting]

I will be the first to admit that I have been a huge promoter and supporter of otter products on this site. I am not a prostaffer, just your average angler that enjoys good products. I own both an xt900 and xt1200 otter lodge and have nothing to say but great things about them.

I am going to throw something out there. It may be possible that they must use a heavier gauge needle to get through the higher denier fabric without breaking needles, especially in the fully insulated models. The fully insulated models will have the insulation which probably doesn't allow the light to shine through. After reading this post I went out and set up both my houses to inspect the sewing and found nothing near what these pictures have shown. I definitely agree that Otter must address this issue and make it right with those who are having this problem. However this is not a problem with all shelters. It seems from what I can surmise is that it is the shelters with the those insulated only on the top of the shelter. The XT 650 does not have insulation on the sides where the light problem is located. Otter is an outstanding company and will get this issue resolved. Good luck to those with the issues.

[rcr]

I will be the first to admit that I have been a huge promoter and supporter of otter products on this site. I am not a prostaffer, just your average angler that enjoys good products. I own both an xt900 and xt1200 otter lodge and have nothing to say but great things about them.

I am going to throw something out there. It may be possible that they must use a heavier gauge needle to get through the higher denier fabric without breaking needles, especially in the fully insulated models. The fully insulated models will have the insulation which probably doesn't allow the light to shine through. After reading this post I went out and set up both my houses to inspect the sewing and found nothing near what these pictures have shown. I definitely agree that Otter must address this issue and make it right with those who are having this problem. However this is not a problem with all shelters. It seems from what I can surmise is that it is the shelters with the those insulated only on the top of the shelter. The XT 650 does not have insulation on the sides where the light problem is located. Otter is an outstanding company and will get this issue resolved. Good luck to those with the issues.

Its only a problem with the Xt650's. I have used Otters customer service in the past 3 times, and all but one time they were very quick to take care of the problem. But this time I called 3 times and got nothing but excuses, so I took it back like everyone else is doing. It funny they say its the first they heard of the problem when you call. Don't get me wrong I LIKE OTTER PRODUCTS, but they really need to get these XT650 Canvas straightened out. I think its embarrassing for OTTER myself. If your gonna make claims the best, strongest, and....... you better stand behind it and back it up.

[BradHawthorne]

So your saying we should live with air blowing in all the seams/HOLES not to have the black coating peel off ???? Really ??

[fishwater]

Light goes through small holes really well, wind not so much. I could see loosing a tiny bit of heat on the windiest of days. I'd bet with use, the seams will stretch and wear in and the holes will be less noticeable too.