Buying a small portable tomorrow..please help..shappell 2k or clam 2k

[vikingmeatwad]

they are about the same price, I would greatly appreciate everyones opinions!!

Thanks!!

[Deitz Dittrich]

I really cant help you there... Why have you narrowed it down to these two units? Both are nice units, I like the fabric on the clam better, but both sleds have lead a lot to be desired. Don't ge tme wrong, they make nice houses, but there are better out there.

Frabill, makes a couple of houses that I am reallly impressed with. Both the 1 man and the XLTwina re grean units. I have the XLTwin and would not trade it for anything. I love the fabirc love the way it sets up and have seen in on sale for $300 at gander recently.... The Otter line of houses also make an awesome house. They by far have the best sled on the market, they also have a material superior to the two you mentioned.

Make sure you look at all options before you make your decision.. but between the 2 you mentioned... go with the clam.

[hanson]

I told someone this weekend my first choice is Otter and then I'm looking at Fish Trap/Clam for a house.

Go with the Clam.

[vikingmeatwad]

sorry, forgot to include that it's these because they pack up small and need to be hauled in my corolla car. I don't think the others will fit.

I will be upgrading in like 3 yrs when i can afford a newer truck but one of these should get me by for a while.

Also I think the clam is like $150 at gander and the shappell is like $125 at fleet if there are any left, is the main difference just the covering?

thanks again and I love this site!

[Northlander]

I think the set up design of the clam will give you more fishing room. The shappels are great houses as well and I really like the big windows on them. I guess I would go with what one fits in your car easier.

The Clam is shorter but wider and weighs more 45lbs to 32lbs in the Shappell. Shapell is carpeted wich is nice and not as slippery. Clam is usually about $220 and Shappell usually about $180. Like I said earlier see wich one fits best in your car and that would be my deciding factor.

I think the Shappell is a bit easier to set up and on a windy day that counts for a lot.

With both you will need shorter rods like 26" or less unless you fish it alone.

[buzbunni]

May I recommend that you sit in both the clam 2000 and the shappell 2000 with a fishing rod in hand and see how you like it.

I had the opportunity to buy the 3000 shappell used, or the same model clam new at Gander. I decided to grab a 24" rod off the rack and sit down inside the clam (clam is 48" and shappell 47" wide according to literature offered) to see what the "fit" was. Not good...for me(6' 240lbs). I wasn't even able to fish comfortably with a 24' rod. For me, these units would only be good for site fishing, and it appears the shappell 2000 is only 42" wide when set up.

I'm glad I tried them out. I ran into Gander blowing out the 5600 models for $200 a pop, and so I bought one of them. I know the 5600 will not work for you personally, but it was a good deal for me. With your space considerations, the 2 models you are considering may be the ticket, and out of those 2 I think I would recommend the clam simply because it has 6 more valuable inches for you to move around.

Hey, any shelter is better than no shelter when it's chilly out.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I have a clam that is in its second season and sees heavy use. It has held up extremely well. The only thing that can be a real problem is the poles getting moisture build up that turns to ice causing them to lock up. I think the newer models have poles that fit a little looser so this problem doesnt come up.

[braves57]

cabela's has some deals right now on their fishhouses... check out their HSOforum. I believe Gander will match their prices as well...

[packattack]

My shappell is in its 9th season. No complaints, I have the 3000 though, because of the added fishing space. Watch out fot the windows though, they crack easily.

[Lost]

I went and picked up the Clam 2000. I wanted the 5600 and considered every possibility as far as measuring to fit in the Blazer along with kid in the back seat, how easy or hard it would be to get on the roof rack, and all. I wanted the 5600 so bad. But the 2000 works out better overall. Love the compact size. Now I can take the clam and the kid! The clam fits nicely in the storage area behind the back seats.

[Predator]

I have the Clam 2K(have the 6800 as well) and I am not unhappy with it. There are, as many have suggested, pros and cons of it, though. One thing I dont really like about the Clams is the "ridge" down the middle of the floor(where it folds). If I am in it alone, it is not an issue. When I have another person in there, though, it makes it a little more of a hassle. That ridge kinda gets in the way of the best spots to put your heater and Vexilar(I have the Genz blue box, so it takes up more room) and space is definitely a concern. The floor holes are not very big, either. An 8.25" hole is about as big as you can go without the floor covering part of your ice hole. Not a big fan of the poles with the locking bead, either, but it works. I bought mine because it folds up so flat and stores easy(plus I got a great deal) and works nice for me when I am solo. So, I guess if you are looking for something compact that is easy to transport and you plan to use it primarily when you are alone, then I would say it is a nice shack to go with. If you plan to fish 2 people a lot, then I would say go with something else.

[slick814]

I've got a Clam2K, and couldn't be happier with it. Easy setup, fits nicely in the back of my Explorer without having to put the back seat down, light enough to pull by hand easily when the ice isn't thick enough to drive on.

One thing I would say is to make sure that you lube the pins on the hole covers and the poles, as things are a bit tight when they're new.

Enough room for one guy to fish comfortably, and if you've got 2 people, you just need to leave some of your stuff outside and there's enough room for both of you.

[vikingmeatwad]

Thanks so much again guys! I love the field information I get from this site.

I haven't bought yet but i have also thrown in the Frabill Speed Shak Cub. I think I can get it in my car if I realy try.

Folds down:

48" L x 32"W x 9"H

I iwll be running by gander to check it out but it looks like it's now the frabill vs the clam 2k.

Hope they have some in stock.

[vikingmeatwad]

Thanks again everyone! I picked up the Frabill Speed Shak Cub at gander and he even threw in a free 8" hand auger. He said it was the floor one but they had one in back.

I will tell you that it barely fits in the back seat of my car but I will like having the extra space in there.

Very helpful and a good deal. Now I need to find some crappies to hit in the metro this weekend!

[Ed Carlson]

I like the Frabill Cub...good choice!

Light, super fast set-up, durable, a great 1-man hut but can handle 2 OK.

A free hand auger to boot...not too shabby a deal Eh!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Very good choice!!!, and how again did you get them to throw in an auger on the deal?... I may need some lessons on wheeling and dealing from you!

[vikingmeatwad]

setup the house today, going out to medicine tomorrow.

I got the auger as I thought it was just the floor model so i was gonna try for a bigger discount. Mgr said he couldn't discount but he could throw in an 8" auger. I just have a 7" mora that doesn't break down so I was very happy.

I always finding myself wheeling for a better deal everywhere so I guess those 2 yrs doing phone sales really did help :-)