Portables - Clam Voyager?

[TSCTSC]

Looking at getting a ice fish shelter. Been out a couple of times but temperatures were in the 30s and wind was less than 5mph. Hope to do more ice fishing in the next 2 months. Looking at getting the Clam Voyager for me and my wife, and a dog. Have a truck but no snowmobile or ATV. Am in SE Mn and hope to fish around here mostly but weekends may want to hit other lakes in the north. Is the voyager going to be a reasonable for us or are there more suitable shelters for us? Are the clams the best shelters out there or are the Polars better? What about Otters?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

[STMA_I_HUNTER]

I have a Otter an would not trade it for the world! It's big and very durable, the tub is tough & deep. I load it on a trailer and pull it with a snowmobile. If I have to load it in the back of the truck i take all the stuff out to make it easier to lift(still heavy). I have used a older clam and think the otter is better. It's the old Ford/Chevy debate. Go sit in some that are set up a see which one is setup for your fishing style.

[harvey lee]

I have a Voyager and loved it. It works great for 1` or 2. I have added the reflectex to the back wall and top,built a carpeted floor and many other little things. I haul it around in the back of my pick-up.It is a little hard to pull through the deeper snow as I have put hyfax runners on it to save the bottom from wearing when pulling behind my 4-wheeler. Before I put them on it was not to bad,In deep snow I believe they are all a little hard to pull.I can load it in the back of my pick up myself but it is a little heavy.I would buy this house again in a heartbeat.Otters houses are also very nice.Ater using for 2 years I noticed a couple holes in the canvas.I called Clam and they sent me a brand new one without charge,very good customer service.

[Walterwontfalter]

I have a voyager and love it. It's perfect for what i use it for. I pack it in the back of my truck and when I get to where i want to fish it slides right out. It is a little heavy but so am I and the weight doesn't bother me that much. I've fished in Eskimos and Otters and like posted above, it's mainly a Ford/Chevy/Dodge debate. I rarely pull my house with a fourwheeler or Snomobile so the thicker heavier tub isn't needed in my case. I would add though, if you and your wife plus a dog are going to fish together I would suggest getting a voyager or similar sized shelter from one of the other brands. I've fished in my Voyager with two 300# fishermen and a hyper German Shorthair and we were comfortable. Anything much smaller and it would have been impossible.

[hattrk4me]

I just bought one, and love it. The only down fall is the 2-3hrs it takes to put it together out of the box. with 2 guys and my Choc. lab fit nicely.

[Northland Sportsman]

I agree with the posts above as far as comparison with other brands. I also have a voyager - 3rd ice season with it and have no complaints. It has held up and is nice size for the wife, dog, & me. Good luck on your purchase.

[Ryan_V]

I also LOVE my voyager!! for your use, sounds like the perfect fit for you. not as rugged as the otter, but much lighter for pulling by hand and loading/unloading. also much less expensive than the otter. if you go with the voyager, you'll love it!! very roomy!

[TSCTSC]

One other consideration, I want to have the shelter in the back of my truck with the tonneau cover on. I think I have about 1 feet 9 inch clearance with the cover on. Is it reasonable for me to expect to have the voyager in the back of my truck with my tonneau on?

[Walterwontfalter]

Mine fit with my tonneau cover on but it stuck up a little so I wouldn't reccomend it if that's the case with yours. I did get by it by putting a couple blocks under the front of the house (where your feet would be) tipped it back enough that it would fit. It was easier to just leave the tonneau rolled up.