which 2 man flip-over?

[rbs]

I am in the market for a 2 person flip-over. I have looked at the Clam Yukon with the quilted top. I like it but was wondering if anyone has any other suggestions on what to look at. Thanks for the help

[mr_jman]

There are a lot of great options out there so I would highly suggest running to your favorite ice fishing store and go and sit in the ones available. My one main suggestion if you can afford it is to get one that is insulated. One really cold or windy day on the ice in one of them, and you will wonder why you ever owned a portable that wasn't insulated. I will never buy another one that isn't insulated!

Some things I considered when I was looking for a 2 man flip over:

Size of the house when set up, and taken down and will it fit in your vehicle.

The fishable area in front of the sled.

Weight, insulated or not, price, removable seats, bench style seating.

Do you want to be able to stand up inside of it?

I bought a Frabill Trekker DLX insulated fish house at the end of last season. It's a nice lower priced insulated fish house ($499 new I believe) paid like $250 from a buddy. I got it for the insulation, and the fact that the seats can be removed and/or adjusted anywhere along the side of the sled. I fish a lot of times by myself so not having to carry two seats around was a nice feature. It also came with a nice travel cover with a D zipper so you don't have to pull the cover off if you need to grab something inside. I have also owned an older Clam Guide that I really liked as well, but I won't buy another sled without the insulated fabric.

[bassNspear]

clam hands down best company for ice fishing

[Scott O.]

mr_jman said it quite well. When it comes to recommending flip-overs, it can be a Ford v. Chevy debate. All the brands (Clam, Frabill, Eskimo, Otter, and others) have their followers. But it's what fits you best that should make your decision. All the flip over brands have their strong points. Me personally, I'd recommend the Clam Yukon with the thermal insulation. Regardless of which one you pick, get one with insulation. On those cold days, the insulation definitely helps. But there are also other good two mans out there. So I'd say do a little homework on them and check them out at your local outdoors store. What feels best to you will help you with the decision.

[Hartley]

I am in the market for a 2 person flip-over. I have looked at the Clam Yukon with the quilted top. I like it but was wondering if anyone has any other suggestions on what to look at. Thanks for the help

I highly recommend the Northlander by Canvas Craft. I have the 2 man with the 3M Normarc Thinsulate fabric. Why not keep the money local and not in the big box stores. Yeah, clam is somewhat local but also big name with big price. Just my $.02

[monstermoose78]

depends what kind of bells and whistles you want. I just a bought a Jason Mitchell Flip over. I had the voyager for 13 years and finally up graded.

[drscholl14]

I bought a Clam Nanook thermal last year. It is a smaller two man which I like because I have a smaller vehicle and the people I fish with also have portables so I don't end up having another person in there with me very often. I have really enjoyed my time in it so far. Very warm, plenty of room (for me) and I love having the front and back doors. My old portable didn't have that. Either way, spend the time to research them and find the one with the most bang for your buck.

[Rikkus]

I have been a Clam favorite. Great Products to choose from, their Customer Support is outstanding. I have two suitcase models that I link together with a friend's.

After the brutal season last year, I decided to get an insulated flip over. Here's what I found doing my research and shopping around.

Clam was at the top of my list. Most have insulated caps. The one I was going to buy was the Jason Mitchell Full Thermo. There are a lot of little extra's added to the product, too. It was the Best Bang for Buck.

I looked at Otter and they have some great thermo flip overs. But being biased to Clam, and that Jason M model. I wasn't moved.

But I came across something else that pulled me from the Clam decision.

I saw the Frabill Thermo Ambush DLX. I like the Side Doors. Seeing the ad on paper, I hasn't impressed. The front wall is very vertical, giving you more room. I can stand up in this model. This is the model I purchased this last summer. At the time it was more expensive compared to the Clam Jason M., (my #2 choice.) But, I am thinking this one was best for meeting my specific needs.

[monstermoose78]

I can stand up in my Jason Mitchell and I am 6'4. I really like all the little extras in this house. I have only used it once so far, but I will be taking my nephew out this weekend for a little fishing time. I like the fact it came with travel cover included. It did not take to long to put it together. Longest part was deciding where I wanted to put the bait bucket holders and battery holder.

[gonehunting]

"Clam hands down best company for ice fishing"

I would have to disagree that Clam is the best company out there for ice fishing. Granted they were the leader along time ago because there was little competition. They have also come along way with some of there newer shelters. However I am going to have to say that Otter Outdoors probably builds one of the toughest/best houses out there. You are going to have to pay a little more but your going to have a house that last you for years. I am by no means affiliated with Otter just a very satisfied customer who pulls an otter across Lake of the Woods and Lake Winnipeg many miles a winter. Good luck with your purchase. Any shelter is better than no shelter.

[DTro]

Ok, I’ve spent a lot of time in a lot of houses and take it for what its worth (Ryan, you know I wouldn’t Bee Es ya) but you really can’t beat the Otters Thermals. They are not perfect, but easily the best available. Sure you do pay a premium, but it’s something if taken care of will last you a LONG time. There are a couple of minor customer service and quality control dings I have towards them, but you are going to run into that with most companies. Clam’s CS is good but IMO the best customer service is the one you never need to talk to. Go to a retailer or show and sit in all the houses, I think you will see the quality construction upgrades that Otter offers.

Hopefully that’s better than a canned, “Buy a house from company XXXX they are the greatest!”

[JoeMX1825]

Otter XT1200 Cabin..... for those who argue against it, what could possibly be your reasons?

[rbs]

Thanks for the help guys. I looked at most of them at our new Runnings store here in Redwood and I am between the Jason Mitchell, Otter Thermal and the Yukon with the Jason Mitchell on the top and the Yukon a distant 3rd. I was kinda pricing the extras and to get them all for the otter it will price it quite a bit higher then the Jason Mitchell. They said they are going to get a Frabill Predator set up this week yet so I will look at that also. I think the sled on the otter is quite a bit stronger then the Clam also.

Either way it will have all the bells and whistles before I hit the ice this year, and with the cost of them all I will have to really look at the quality to make my decision for me. I will look a bit closer on the Otter when I go back in the store also.

[NCLaker]

"Go to a retailer or show and sit in all the houses"

Best advice right here, No matter what people tell you you'll probably know what you want pretty quick after you compare them side by side first hand. St. Paul Ice Show is just a couple weeks away - probably the best place to do this since the company reps will be right there to talk to and lots of vendors to work over to get the best price.

It is important to have a clear idea of your budget, fishing logistics (hard core run/gun, what you have to haul it with, and tow it, etc), and what features are important to you - there are so many choices these things will help you narrow the options down. Don't just sit and look at them, take time to actually take them down and put them back up - sometimes that can be enough to seal the decision.

[rbs]

NCLaker I did exactly what you said. Took them down and folded them up. That is one reason I really liked the Jason Mitchell. I really like the poles and the quick coupler style latches on the poles. The otter has rectangular poles which seemed to bind a bit and are just push button. But they might be stronger. I also like the otter with the skirt behind your legs along the sled.

[zppeterson]

Not to muddy the waters, but I bought an Otter XT650 lodge last year. I bought it because it was a great price (not from a retailer) and new in the box. Having been the first and only Otter I have ever fished out of, I am very impressed. Definitely like the bench seat option, and fished in plenty of below zero days and was comfortable in a sweat shirt with the heater going.

All boils down to personal preference and what will work for you. Let us know what you end up with.

[ski_otter]

Here are a couple important things to think about as well,

Is weight an issue?

I would take an otter xt 1200 cabin as my ideal shack, but would not ever want to pull it by hand. If you use a wheeler or sled to tow or just drop from the back of a truck this may not be an issue.

If I want a 2 man that I may have to pull by hand I'd take the clam nanook thermal because it's much lighter.

Personally I have a clam one-man that I use for early and late ice, and an otter two man that I use when I don't have to hike. I love both shacks. Both have their advantages, but the otter is much more sturdy and I can tell will last longer

[dan z]

Love my otter 2 man with a thermal top but its a tank to pull by hand. It has a bench seat that's pretty comfy and a skirt around the tube by you feet and that helps good with the wind coming in the sled corners. I have a the hyfax runner kit which helps when pulling with the snowmobile. I think it going on its 4th season without an issue. I also have a Jason Mitchell 1 man pro and have nothing bad to say about that except for the terrible foam seat. After 1 season I pulled it and added a nice cushy boat seat.

[rbs]

bought the Otter Lodge 1200 and can say it was worth the money! Thanks for your help all!

[fishnowworknever]

Otter portables are the way to go now-a-days...clam was a good brand but they've gone downhill IMO. I can't speak to the Jason Mitchell line, they look good though.

Otter outdoor products are tough as nails.

[MNCPRGUY]

My vote is for the Jason Mitchell X2. There are a lot of Otter fans and they make a solid product but don't base your decision solely on the shelter construction. Yes, it's important, but so is weight. Even if you don't plan to pull by hand, you may still have to lift it in and out of a truck bed. Customer service also goes a long way. I have never owned or dealt with the other manufacturers but Clam has always taken care of me and the Ice Team guys are top notch!

It's also worth noting the Perch Patrol guys on Devil's Lake use and abuse the JMs 7 days a week, 5+ months a year and they seem to hold up well. If they aren't destroying them, my handful of outings every winter sure aren't going to!