Lightweight floor for Clam Big Foot 4000

[JohnMickish]

I have been using this type of floor for a few years, both in my hub house and my flip over. I love the floor because it keeps things nice and dry plus it keeps the house much warmer. You also don't get that super slippery melted ice in front of the heater. The dimensions I give are for the Clam BF4000 since it is a true 8' by 8' house. I don't know about the other houses.

I built mine out of 1/2" extruded polystyrene and 3/8" plywood. It's pretty light but I supposed you could go as light as luan plywood to save a few more pounds. Mine are framed with 1"X2" wood for support. It's all held together with 3/4" sheet rock screws.

For my hub house, a Clam Big Foot 4000 which is 8' by 8' I started out with 2 sheets of plywood. Cut them down the middle to give you four 4X4 sections. Glue the polystyrene to the bottom using the proper glue (It won't melt the foam, regular construction adhesive will melt the foam and not hold). Hinge two pieces together to make on 4X8 piece when folded flat. Repeat for the other pieces of plywood. When folded, each side measures less than 2.5" and measures in at 4X4' so they slide between the wheel wells of my truck. I have clamps that hold everything together until I get it anchored. Speaking of anchors, I run my lag bolts down in the corners and attach the house at the same points. This keeps the floor nailed down. Walking around is easy, the floor dries fast and since it's flat your chairs are much more stable. As an added bonus it gives you a real nice platform to put the house back in the bag at the end of the day without having to lay it in the snow.

The polystyrene does not freeze to the ice, just a kick or lift from the snow shovel breaks it free.

Stay fishy my friends

John Mickish

[MNCPRGUY]

Thanks for sharing! Great idea.

[ZachD]

Thank you I was thinking of a build like this but was not sure if it would work out well but after seeing yours I am excited to start it this weekend

[MNCPRGUY]

Thought about this all night! Two questions for you... 1) any reason in particular that you went with square vs round holes, and 2) have you thought about covering it with some indoor/outdoor carpeting?

[smallieobsession]

Looks awesome. I am in process of basically building same thing for my Bigfoot 4000. I am going to use 2x2 for frame and go a little thicker on the poly so I can use the square catch covers on the holes. I'm not planning to cover it with carpet but will just use a few rubber backed mats if I want to add a little more "plush" to the set up! Expecting it to make an awesome 1 or 2 man "sleeper".

[JohnMickish]

Thought about this all night! Two questions for you... 1) any reason in particular that you went with square vs round holes, and 2) have you thought about covering it with some indoor/outdoor carpeting?

The reason for the square holes is that they cut real easy with a circular saw. That is the only reason they are square. I have thought about covering it with carpet but can't really find a reason too. It stays dry and is easy to clean is why I haven't done it.

[Lunker Luke]

That is cool.

[Day_trader]

Nice!

I always appreciate the ideas people share on here.

Here's my .02...

I would NOT cover with carpet because carpet holds moisture and could cause the plywood to rot out sooner or even warp.

[Garett Svir1582813971]

Great tip John!

[TruthWalleyes]

I've spent several nights and a few days in my hub house. Even on those extended stays, i don't feel a floor is necessary. I keep my heater off the ice. I have the clam shelf, use plastic containers(rubermaids or whatever)

But, if your going to do it, that looks like the way to go.

What's all that weigh?

I have the same house and it's got a lot of floor space!!

[jiggin9]

I have a clam thermal x2 flip over and am thinking that a similar setup would be nice. I'd have to do some figuring and make sure it would fold up into the sled, but I like the idea. It gets your boots off the ice and would eliminate the need for ice cleats. Man that ice can get nasty slippery in the right conditions. My only concern would be having to shovel off all snow before setting up which can be a job. I sometimes setup on top of the snow to eliminate the slippery ice you get when you decide to shovel. I've toyed with a few ideas for a floor in my house. One was to hinge a 18"-2' wide floor off the flip over side of the tub to get your feet off the ice. Freezing, breaking and drilling more holes in my tub have prevented me from trying it out. I've also thought about using those black rubber cattle mats you see at farm supply places. They are a bit spendy and would require hole cutouts and might not pack nice. Just ideas i've had while watching bobbers in the past. Both would get your boots off the ice, eliminate the slippery ice and help keep haet in. Creativity with ice fishing is a never ending fun project.

[AndRo]

Could put anchor points at each corner, then you wouldn't have to drive the ice anchors in.

[JohnMickish]

It basically weighs whatever 2 sheets of 3/8 plywood weighs.

[ski_otter]

Could put anchor points at each corner, then you wouldn't have to drive the ice anchors in.

I was thinking that too

[BEANFISHVT]

Hi John. Thank you for sharing your floor design, I think its great. I just received my new bigfoot xl4000t in the mail. I plan to use your design concept to build a floor for mine. Just had a couple of questions: what glue did you use for attaching the insulation board to the plywood? Also, through your experience with the floor, are there any additions you wish you had made or any things you would have done differently?

Your input would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[pushbutton]

Would certainly look at moving one of holes in each set…. into a corner. That would free up a ton of interior space for seating and creating a pathways for moving around. That house is designed pretty upright and allows for closer to the wall ….holes….hence hook sets that are not hitting the walls. Also set your house up ahead of time and see where you are most comfortable stepping, when entering and exiting, and make sure the closet hole to that is far enough away. Personally that is a three person shack in my mind with a two hole per person set up, and would not even try to set someone up near the door. Thats just me though and like some space. Have fun "decorating" your new house