Size heater for insulated hub house

[JSK76]

Bought an Otter XTH Lodge insulated hub (64sqft) house and trying to figure out what heater I should bring out on the ice.  The temps are going to be around 20 so my thought is a 10k btu Buddyer heater. The total volume is more then other portable I've owned so I'm not sure how to gauge it. I also have a Big Buddy 18k btu heater and I know that would cover all bases but I've got very limited space in the sled I'm pulling out and basically it won't fit. Guys that own insulated hub houses close to this size like the Fatfish 949i or the Clam Bigfoot xl4000t at what temp is a 10k buddy not big enough? Once the ice is drivable I'll just bring the big buddy with all the time. I should add I wear warm bibs but like to fish with my jacket off and just wear a sweatshirt.

[pushbutton]

Lol...dude, you are an absolute junkie and have more equipment than anyone I know.  At 20 degrees with a little buddy on high, with that set up well banked, you could be looking at jeans and a sweatshirt.....knowing you from your posts.....almost boxers and a tee shirt. Suppose, around zero is a good cut off for bringing out the big boy. Your going to love all the extra space!

[ClownColor]

A big buddy in an insulated hub could easily turn into a sweat box. I have a non insulated hub and survived with minimal clothing with a regular buddy heater.

[JuanArellano]

If I'm out with the big Trap, the buddy heater is all I use. It gets pretty hot in there.

[JSK76]

Lol...dude, you are an absolute junkie and have more equipment than anyone I know.  At 20 degrees with a little buddy on high, with that set up well banked, you could be looking at jeans and a sweatshirt.....knowing you from your posts.....almost boxers and a tee shirt. Suppose, around zero is a good cut off for bringing out the big boy. Your going to love all the extra space!

your right! I've got more gear then most guides. It's an obsession, I think I like testing things out more then anything. I think the only way I can afford to own all I do for ice fishing is that it's really my only obsession. 

[JSK76]

I'm on the lake right now. Temp is 16 and slight wind, didn't bank the snow flap I'm in a cotton hoodie and Striker bibs. Running the Buddy on low and pretty comfortable.

[fishingstar]

now that is just rubbing it in!!

[Neiko]

I had a 949i with a big buddy set up for Lake Trout Fishing in Canada last year. When it got dark and -10 the heater couldn't keep it warm. Luckily we were done fishing at that point. Because of that I bought the 767i for those trips as we fish in our own houses so still plenty of room. It cut the area to heat from 60 to 40 sq ft.

[bigwalleye30]

If you're debating between the buddy and big buddy, I'd recommend going with the the hunting buddy.  It's 12k btu versus the 9k of the buddy and 18k big buddy.  Been out a few years and wish it was around when I had the same debate.

 

[damdiver]

I agree with the Hunting Buddy.  I got one for my Lodge and it is perfect on low when the temp is around 20 and breezy.

[JSK76]

Just wanted to give an update. I had a vexilar depth therm with me so I hung it up just to see what I was getting for an inside temp. When I said I was comfortable on low I was surprised to find it was only 45 degrees. I turned the temp to high and reached 60. I only ran on high for maybe 45 min before I was done fishing for the night so it's possible it could have climbed a bit more but I don think it would by much if any. So from what I experienced a buddy on high is good for about 44 degrees over outside temp.