Ice Armor Material

[minnowhead]

I just bought a new voyager, some how it already have a couple of small holes in the fabric. I put cloth duct tape over them on the inside. Will this hold or what is the best way to prevent from ripping more. Also worried about the auger laying on the fabric, will the auger rip or tear the fabric if the auger rattles or rolls while it sits in the house. Any ideas welcome.

[Woody Erickson]

minnowhead,

I have found that AquaSeal works very well with mending the fabric, Scheels/Gander sells it. It does take about a day to cure, unless you find the accelerator for it. Shoe Goo or Goop would also work well.

I have melted a hole in mine with a lantern and cut a good size hole with my auger blade. AquaSeal was used on it both times, no tearing has occured.

I would not worry about the auger, as long as you keep the blades covered.

[Captain B.R.K]

I'd call Clam Corp, tell them about your situation and see if you can get a new house (material). I'm sure you are itchin' to get out on the ice with that new house. For the $$$ you spent on that thing, I would expect you want something you can depend on. I know I would want no issues starting out with a new house IMO. That's just me.

[andy j]

It might be mice that are chewing small holes in your selter. I have seen that and the hole were usually small.

[Captain B.R.K]

AJ- Nice to see you around!!!

[minnowhead]

so it is your opinion that if the auger rolls or tilts back in forth while in my house (truck) it will not affect the material. I leave my house in the truck usally most of the winter. Still use the truck to go back and for to work and such. Just worried. I have no where else to put the auger besides in the base of the house. My blazer is packed with this house in it.

[jaxmn05]

I have had problems when laying my auger over the material and pulling the house behind my sled. When I put the house up I could see where the material was thinned out from the rubbing. Now I just put a small piece of carpet down then the auger on top. No problems now. For patching I use iron on canvas. Got it from one of the sewing stores by Maplewood. Have to warm the material up first though.

[Captain B.R.K]

I apologize about not answering your question with the auger laying on your house. YES, you will see significant wear on your house when putting the auger on your house.

Example for you is this: I was pulling my otter house behind a snowmobile going across a lake. In the house I had my auger and several others rod bags and vexilars (with the blue case/cover on em'). Needless to say when we got to our destination, the vexilar bags were all ripped up and so were the rod cases. Looked like someone slashed through em' with a big knife. The metal on the auger acted like a knife-never knew that would happen

One product I would take a look at is the Otter Sheild. I think you'll be real impressed with this product as it will save on all your gear!

[Gadgetman]

For patching the holes you may want to try "tear-aid" find it with Google. It is a clear patching material and works great on cuts and tears. Made for truck tarps I believe, very easy to use. If the mice eat a hole in your house you need to find a piece of the fabric (call mfg) and cut apiece about 1.5"larger than the hold and glue it on using "tearmender"available at most hardware stores. If the hole is real large you may have to glue a piece on both sides. As you may have guessed I have had a couple run ins with mice....I have many patches on my house but it is totally serviceable, and I have never had to redo any of them once completed.

[crappieflop1212]

I have to say I am disapointed in the Clam corp. They seem to be cutting corners and hiking their prices. Every clam I have looked at this year seems to have such inconsistant material. i.e you can see right thru some spots from inside the shelter. After reading this post I cant say I am shocked. I bought a 5600 three years ago and wanted to switch to a trap. After looking at them, I couldn't do it. They were way overpriced as most brands are. Plus the product looked low quality to me.

[so haaad]

Just put your auger in the bottom of your fish house. I have a fish trap, and my strikemaster fits easily in the tub of the fish house without rubbing on any of the cloth.

[minnowhead]

I guess what I am going to try to wrap a blanket around the auger. See how that works, I am putting the auger in the tub, but with the voyager house, there is so much material that is inside laying too, its a big house, As far as the wholes, they are small about pencil width, I am going to try the clear goop. Runs 5 bucks, see if that will hold it together. Duct tape did not hold in this cold weather. Thanks everybody.