Has Ice Castles improved?

[usmcjsy]

I may be considering a 6.5x14 ice castle from Smokey Hills Outdoors. If I get it I am having the cooktop and furnace put in front of the V and bunks in the back and bunks along the side. I like this size house for the weight. I think the ice castles look good but are they built any better than they used to be? I hear a lot of stories of shoddy work by ice castle and just wondering if anyone knows if this has changed?

Another place I am considering a house from is custom designed innovations out of St Cloud has anyone heard anything good or bad about them?

Thanks for any input.

Jeremy

[Boar]

I bought a 2013 20' V from smokey hills, I love it. the only thing i wish I woulda done was sit in it for a while and look t things, saleman had so much info pouring at me as this was my first one, i failed to see all the structural imperfections in the cabints and doors. that is my only complaint. I didnt notice things till I got it home and was adding accessories and fun stuff, un even corners and joints. definatley an assembly line product with no attention to detail. having had a few years, I dont notice it anymore but my nest house I'll be more attentative to the craftsmanship, still thiking custom anfter my wife gets her DNP degree.

[Hawg]

I think the answer is yes, they have improved BUT they were so bad for so long that lots of new companies are now making better houses than IC.

[usmcjsy]

Excellent gents thanks for the input, I may try a house from custom designed innovations out of Saint Cloud. I checked out their facebook page and it looks like good attn to detail etc. I was just thinking ice castle and smokey hills as ease of doing business they accept trades take care of financing etc. However I may just deal with selling outright as I really don't want to regret it later with cut corners etc. I was just hoping ice castle may have cleaned up a lot better.

[Boar]

yeah botom line, 17.5 for mine, should be tight lines and straight faces.

[Hawg]

And, you can build your own for about 1/2 or less.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I think they improved greatly in around 2009, and again in 2014. They are now a pretty decent house for the majority of people. Definitely still an assembly line product, but much improved.

[BLACKJACK]

I'm very happy with my 6.5x14 IC, bought three years ago. No problems yet with the furnace, wheels, frame, windows, etc. Finish job is fine, its a fish house for God's sake!! I've been known to spill a beer, let slimy fish flop around, boil over coffee, pass gas, a few imperfections don't bother me. It keeps me warm, is easy to crank up and down, pulls easily, gets me out fishing in comfort. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

[jigginjerk]

I'm very happy with my 6.5x14 IC, bought three years ago. No problems yet with the furnace, wheels, frame, windows, etc. Finish job is fine, its a fish house for God's sake!! I've been known to spill a beer, let slimy fish flop around, boil over coffee, pass gas, a few imperfections don't bother me. It keeps me warm, is easy to crank up and down, pulls easily, gets me out fishing in comfort. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

Exactly!!!

[usmcjsy]

I guess for me it comes down to paying for a professionally built house. I don't mind fishing on the ice or in a portable or homemade house. However if I am gonna pay thousands of dollars for a house to be professionaly built I excpect some nice fit and finish. I Have heard of ice castles having frame issues to just dump craftsmanship. I just wanted to know if they have taken steps to build a more professional product and not just a house that looks nice at first glance but has some serious craftsmanship flaws, that leaves you with buyers remorse a few months later.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

The biggest difference is that they are using all tube steel frames, for quite a few years now. I haven't seen one of the new ones on the side of the road all twisted up.

Fit & finish still leaves a bit to be desired, inside and out when you look close, but it's way better than what it was.

[usmcjsy]

Thanks again for all the input guys. I will probably check out the Ice Castles just to see. I do like that they have a dealer network set up, and I dont have to deal with selling my old house outright and I can just trade it in. Some of the smaller places that may or may not build a better house do not want to deal with trade ins. So if fit and finish seems close I may just go with the ease of the castle.

Have a good open water season gents!

[Boar]

As I said in my first post, interior finish is the only complaint and its minor. I love the house, Ive had great customer service to.