Flip-Over House Dilemma

[sticknstring]

I'm looking for a tough generous 2-man flip-over house. I need one fast! I'ved looked at the Otters, 'Traps, and Frabills, which all look nice. I want something that's gonna hold up for awhile, price being irrevelant. Who's got what and what are your likes/dislikes? What's the one to get? What's the best seat system for the Otters? I wouldn't mind buying used either if someone has something... Thanks.

Matt

[Dave]

There's only one "tough" in the ice shelter world, OTTER. The Lodge is plenty for two. The bench seat works very well, too.

[tashit]

I just got a great deal on an Otter Cabin at the Ice Show and I know I'm going to love it. I knew I wanted an Otter but the price on an Eskimo had me leaning towards that until I actually compared the two side by side and got such a great price on the Otter. I wanted to get the Lodge because it's bigger but it wouldn't fit in the back of my Jeep and the Medium Cabin fits perfectly. I had it set up in my living room last night (luckily I'm not married) and I think there will be plenty of room for two people. The Otters seemed to be much better quality to me than the others. I did not get the seats however because I don't like how the bar goes across the sled, plus they're $75 a piece. I'm just going to rig up my own seating and I have a few ideas but haven't decided yet. I think I'm just going to use some folding chairs until I have time to do some serious mods to it this summer. If you want quality and price doesn't matter, I would go Otter.

[Shorelunch]

I got an Otter a few weeks ago with the bench seat. Had it out last weekend and was very impressed with the ease and the sled. Also looked Frabills, Clams and a few others.

[Big Pine Walleye]

I fished out of a medium cabin by Otter this past weekend and there was plenty of room for two people too fish out of and I really liked the height inside the house. I do like the padded seats that are sold by Otter--they are very comfortable if you plan to sit for a long time! I believe that Otter is hard to beat!!

[TeddyBoy]

I have the new Frabill XLTwin. The seats are extremely comfortable and versatile. What really sold me on this model is the overall size of it when set up. At that price range, it was the only one that I found I could stand up in. It also has a lot of room between the fisherman and the door. Which is nice so you have room for your heater, aqua-vu, etc... The sled doesn't have as high of sides as the Otter and I doubt it is as durable. I don't pull mine with a wheeler or snowmobile. Therefore, the sled durability isn't as important to me. I have a Jeep and it fits like a glove.

[Eastwind]

One word " OTTER"

[BIG DS]

Stick with the Otter. I bought the Magnum Lodge last year, and it has the toughest sled available. Get the hyfax runners for whatever you buy. The otter hitch is also tougher than any of the other hitches. The Otter tent is a flame retardant canvas that is very strong and won't vaporize if a heater is accidentally tipped into it. The Otter is the warmest flip over style available. Check out one of there houses at your nearest Otter dealership, and I think you will agree that the differences and advantages of the Otter product will be obvious.

[FishBonz]

I would check out both the Fish Trap Yukon or Voyager and also the Shappell 2.0. Which one you choose is going to be based totally on personal preference. The Fish Trap's, Otters, and Shappell's are all very durable.

A couple of things I like about the Shappell's are they weigh much less, 71 lbs. to be exact, (but are still very durable) and the 2.0 has two zippered doors on the front. This is a nice feature because if you are fishing with a friend each of you has your own door to go out of so you are not tripping on each others gear. The padded bench seat in the 2.0 is very comfortable and has some nice storage space beneath it.

The Fish Traps are also very durable. The seats are extremely comfortable and their is plenty of storage space. The Trap Link system is also very nice if you want to fish with more of your friends.

I have heard good things about the Otter but would not buy one because of their seating system and the weight.

If I had my choice, I would buy the Shappell. Weight is a huge factor for me as I do not currently have a snowmobile or an ATV to pull my sled with. I believe you can get the 2.0 for around $350.00. That is a great deal!

Good luck with your purchase.

Jamie "FishBonz" Hanshaw

[FishBonz]

I would check out both the Fish Trap Yukon or Voyager and also the Shappell 2.0. Which one you choose is going to be based totally on personal preference. The Fish Trap's, Otters, and Shappell's are all very durable.

A couple of things I like about the Shappell's are they weigh much less, 71 lbs. to be exact, (but are still very durable) and the 2.0 has two zippered doors on the front. This is a nice feature because if you are fishing with a friend each of you has your own door to go out of so you are not tripping on each others gear. The padded bench seat in the 2.0 is very comfortable and has some nice storage space beneath it.

The Fish Traps are also very durable. The seats are extremely comfortable and their is plenty of storage space. The Trap Link system is also very nice if you want to fish with more of your friends.

I have heard good things about the Otter but would not buy one because of their seating system and the weight.

If I had my choice, I would buy the Shappell. Weight is a huge factor for me as I do not currently have a snowmobile or an ATV to pull my sled with. I believe you can get the 2.0 for around $350.00. That is a great deal!

Good luck with your purchase.

Jamie "FishBonz" Hanshaw

[nofishfisherman]

I have the best portable ever created. Its light weight, fits in any vehicle, and is very, very easy to move. The only problem is that it only seats one.

Its called a warm jacket and a bucket. Been using it for years and seem to be pretty happy with it. Just remember to keep your back to the wind.

But seriously, does anyone know of a portable that can fit inside a car? Never seen one before, thought about making my own.

[Gus]

I could fit my Frabill speedshack cub in the back seat of my Toyota corolla in college. I believe a Clam 2000 would fit even better. Neither one is a flip over style but they will fit in most cars I believe.

[Dave]

nofishfisherman,

I can put my ultra-wide Otter Cottage (wider sled than a regular Otter Cottage) in the extended part (back seat) of my full size truck. I would think a regular size Otter Den or Cottage would fit in the back seat of a car, too.

[schweady]

Quote:

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I want something that's gonna hold up for awhile, price being irrevelant.

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Um... Otter.

If you've got the room to haul it, the Magnum Lodge might be more "generous," but my Medium Cabin is plenty for two guys. Just took it out Sunday for its maiden voyage. I got the 2 swivel seats and they're comfy, but of course add some weight and take up some storage room in the sled. (Still figuring out whether to fold them down and leave them in place when hauling or take them down and lay them in the sled.) I thought about the bench, but the seats are nice because I could possibly leave one of them out to save some weight if going solo. The headroom is great (70.5") and plenty of ice space in front of you too for holes, heater, light, buckets, etc. The canvas, sled, and poles quality are the best of all the different brands.

[pout-pounder]

Have you looked at the insulated magnum otterskin by canvas craft in anoka or rogers. They are very well (an locally) made, insulated (and it does help greatly) and the white interior is much brighter when night fishing. However hold onto the wallet (you said cost was not an issue)....They are also slightly heavier as they use steel poles not aluminum. Ive had a double wide for 3 years and this year bought a magnum at the show. The only complaint I had was the skirt was kind of short. When I bought the new one I asked for a longer skirt and they gave me one(for the house)without hesitation.

[Bigfife]

I like my fishtrap Yukon. If I buy another it will be a Voyager. I like the Yukon because I can handle it easily by myself. Otter's look good too. I went with the Yukon because i sell the Fishtraps and I know they are one of the best.

[BUSHWAC]

Nofishfisherman- You might consider a tent style pop up shelter with no floor or sled. I have used one a couple times in the past with just a small fold up chair and a heater and it worked pretty dang good. I know they make a few styles where the poles are permanently attached to the tent. similar to all the hunting blind options they have.

[BIG DS]

The Otter sled is the thickest, strongest sled built, hands down. The Otter Magnum Lodge weighs only like 80lbs. The other sleds are a molded sled, so they end up with thin spots. Check the difference in the sleds, you will be amazed how cheaply some of them are built. If durable is the key to your purchase, Otter.

[bigminnow]

Two word's " Fish Trap".. I think it is the best of both worlds for durability and ability to drag it without getting a heart attack. I think the Otter has the best tub but it weighs a lot more. Check out the Fish Trap Voyager... Durable yet portable.

BigMinnow

[PEATMOSS]

I LOVE MY OTTER LODGE.EASY TO SET UP,ROOMY EVEN FOR 2 PEOPLE.REGARDING DURABILITY, THE OTTER SLED KICKS A**.

I'VE TAKEN THE TOP OFF AND USED THE SLED FOR BOUGH PICKING, HAULING WOOD ETC.FOR 3 YEARS NOW WITH MINIMAL WEAR.REALLY HANDY AND CAN BE PULLED WITH A SLED OR WHEELER.

[FishBonz]

Nofishfisherman,

I have a Shappell Rover 1.0 that easily fit into two of my previous cars trunks. I have owned both a Dodge Neon and a Chevy Malibu that the Shappell fit into the trunk with the back seat folded down.

[Ryan_V]

like bigminnow said.... fish trap!!! not as heavy duty as an otter, but just as good of quality and not as heavy on the weight and price!!!

[tomfromblaine]

I was in the same boat as you until today, I wanted the otter but I also liked the voyager and had a very hard time trying to choose, like the other posts have stated you can't beat an otter as far as their sled is concerned, you really have to determine how the the sled will be used. for me I ended up with a Voyager because of the seating and a few other little features but if I was going to be dragging a flipover many miles and through alot of deeper snow I would have got the Otter. hope this helps.

P.S. if you go for a voyager don't go to fridley gander mtn I got their last one as well their last tow bar.

[Scenic]

Don't over look to Polar houses. I am running the 4 man and using it as a two man most of the time. It has worked out great.

[SCONASOTAN]

I had been fishing with the Otter Cabin. I decided I needed something bigger as I am 6'5" 240lbs and I did not have any seats in the Otter. I also frequently fish with other large people, so I really wanted something with a seat package and was able to stand and stretch. The Otter sled is great but I would highly advise getting the seats for it because pails and chairs don't work if you are fishing two because of the sloped side of the sled. I looked around and did some serious shopping. I ended up buying the Voyager at the SHOW. Here are the reasons why: I wanted the swivel seat and the Fish-Trap seat is way better than the Otter's (Frabills padded swivel seat was the best). I could stand with just my head pushing the top canvas a little. Costed much less than the Lodge (which would have been my second choice).

The Otter Sleds are better though as they have reinforced plastic where the hitch would be attached and the Fish -Trap sled only has a couple of holes punched in it. The canvas is high quality on both brands. The things that turned me mainly was the poor seats offered through the Otter and the price. my 2 cents