Flip-Over House Dilemma

[maj330]

check out the nordic 2 man package. it has an 11 oz canvas tent and comes with two padded seats similar to the otter. i was originally leaning toward a frabill xltwin but really wanted a canvas tent. the nordic seemed like the best comprimise between and otter lodge and the frabill. plus, the nordic is priced at $400 bucks at Gander in Maplewood. Also, Joe's in Maplewood has them and will match the lowest price.

[maj330]

i haven't seen another brand besides otter and polar/nordic offer canvas tents. i think there was a company from anoka that makes aftermarket tents to fit other company's sleds. those were very nice, white canvast inside and black canvas out. i just couldnt bring myself to trust the fire retardancy chemicals used to treat the polymer tents on the frabills, shapels, fishtraps, or the otter wilderness series. however, there are many on the ice so clearly people aren't burning them frequently.

[tashit]

Although they are not as popular, Shoremaster offers a canvas tent. I saw a flip-over style posted for sale on here not too long ago and my uncle has a suitcase style. I haven't seen the flip-over in person but I really like my uncle's.

[Beaver15]

OK boys, I've got it narrowed down to the Otter Magnum Lodge or the Medium Cabin. I want a spacious 2 person shack, money isn't an issue. Is the cabin big enough or should I go with the lodge? Last question, which is the better seating arrangement, the bench seat or indivdual seats and why?? Thanks fellas---

[CFRay]

I have an Otter Lodge with no seats. I use fold up fabric chairs. If I'm fishing alone the chair goes in the tub, fits fine. If a friend is with me one chair is in the tub the other is on the ice facing me in the opposite corner of the shelter. IMHO the chairs are more comfy, sit higher and are mobile if a tip up outside is hot. Good Luck with your new house.

[metrojoe]

Sounds like a good kind of a dilemma to have.

Good luck

[Beaver15]

I guess it is. Gonna run down to the Cabelas in Rogers tomorrow am, see what they have. Just want to get a feel for the size of the lodge vs. cabin and figure out what kind of seating arrangement I want. How much weight do the seats/bench add??

[metrojoe]

The only thing I don't like about the Otters is they nick you quite a bit for thier seating. I think most other brands include the seating.

[poutpro]

I really like my Voyager. I can stand up in it, fits 3 ppl if needed, seats are comfortable, and my buddies have them so we can connect them with the connector and put a card table between the two sleds.

[SCONASOTAN]

Beaver

I think you should go with the Lodge. It is more roomy and the cabin will disappoint you eventually if you are fishing 2 people consistently especially knowing you could have bought the Lodge. I have fished with the bench and it is kind of nice to have some space to move around set things down (drinks, lures, bait, etc.) at arms length. But I did buy the voyager with the swivel seats and they might be a little more comfortable if sitting in them all day. The Otter is a great choice and is very durable.

[Wables]

I don't think that you mentioned how you are going to move this thing on the ice. I had a Magnum Otter for 2 years. Last year we got a bunch of snow (Upper Michigan) before we had enough ice for 4-wheelers. I dragged that thing by hand for 2 or 3 trips, then laid out the cash for a Fishtrap Pro. The otter got sold this year. For me, the only thing I use a portable for is running and gunning. The otter was a great house, but just too much to handle for hole hopping. I found that I move much more, and probably catch more fish, with the smaller house.

The Lodge or Cabin will be perfect for a lot of people. If you are going to use a snomobile, 4 wheeler, or truck to get around, I don't think that you can do better than the otters. If towing by hand, I would rather pull 2 Fishtrap Pro's than one Otter Lodge. That said, you could buy 2 Pro's for the price of the Lodge with seats and link them together. Take one if you are by yourself, and two if you got a buddy along.

[Ryan Berger]

otter lodge [image][/image]

[Lazy Mike]

LDB

Nice set-up! Do you extend the carpet all the way to the outside edge of the snow flaps so they don't stick to the ice when snow is pilled up on them? Does the carpet ever stick to the ice? Also would the extra weight of the carpet be worth it if you were planning on pulling the sled by hand?

[CatManLee]

I realize after reading this that most here are Otter Guys. I have a Polar Sport 1 man flip-over and absolutely love it. The sled, I guarantee is just as tough as any other, very thick and durable. I don't know what the 2 man houses are like, but my one man has plenty of room for myself, a sunflower heater, 5 gallon pail with vexilar on top, 3 holes, and your not jigging by your knee caps, you can still stretch out a little. It's also just about tall enough to stand up in.

Another plus with the Polar Sport, is the sled is really deep, wich means more room to haul stuff.

I'm not saying my sled is any better than an Otter, just saying I like mine just fine.

[mamohr686]

I think your biggest consideration is weight (portability) and how many holes you want to drill inside the house. Our family had a baby recently and that means short trips by myself. The lodge is a heavy beast and you will won't be able to load and unload the lodge by yourself in most situations unless you totally unload everything out of it and ruin the portablily aspect of the flip over sled.(you may also want to see if it fits in your vehicle) Also my fishing partner has the lodge and it takes a lot more btu's to keep his warm. A Mr heater cooker will not keep it warm in a sub-zero situation when it's windy, he needs a fan mounted to circulate the heat or go with a double sunflower heater. If you don't move very often and like to fish 4 lines out of the house without the lines getting tangled then the lodge is ok. The cabin is big enough for 2 people without losing portability.

[not_nuf_time]

Last year I bought a Yukon and Love it. But No fish fisherman, I also have a tent style called "Instent"Its a 1-2 man and it sets up with five pole system that fans out and the tent is hooked to it, a heavy canvas floor. This tent is about 12 yrs old, dont know if they make them anymore. the posts fold up and wrap the tent around takes about 2 mins to set up or take down. It looks like those white winter shelters the Excel or NSP guys use. May find something like it on HSOList. It rolls up like a 4 foot sleeping bag.

[Northlander]

1st I would go with a Otter, second would be a Polar Sport. Both have great tubs and fabric but the Otter tub gives you more seating room due to the Polar Sport tubs having more curves in the tub on the ends thus less room tp mount seats on the sled. If you use a chair or bucket it wont matter all that much. Im very impressed with my Otter Mag Lodge. Very roomy 2 man and when alone you can really spread out. Cabin is a great 2 man slash roomy 1 man. Get the hyfax runners no matter what ya get.

[ItsaKeeper]

I have the Otter Resort with the bench seating. You can seat 3 people on the bench, absolutely Love it, wouldn't trade it for any other on the market.

[Beaver15]

Decided on the Mag Lodge. Can't wait to put it to use.

[Northlander]

Thats what Im running and I know you will love it. Great choice!