Cabela's portable kit.

[JohnMickish]

Does anybody know if the canvas in this kit is strong enough to be used as a semi-permanent house to be left on the ice for a week or two at a time? The weight is not an issue, just wondering if it would hold up or if the wind will rip it apart.

[picksbigwagon]

unless you are living in it, I would never leave an ice house on the lake for a week or two....other than that, the cabelas, supply your own floor ice house is a pretty good unit if you take care of it. My old one is still running strong, 9 years later

[love to hunt]

Quote:

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I would never leave an ice house on the lake for a week or two....

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Ditto that. Some people these days have no respect for other peoples stuff. I left mine on for 2 days unattended and came back to cut chains and no propane tanks.

That Cabelas kit is pretty good though, I like mine.

[JohnMickish]

I'm not to worried about leaving it out in the area it will be but I appreciate the concern.. The canvas part is only $100 so I was wondering about the quality of it. I was thinking that if I go this route I would screw it to the ice so it dosen't blow away, use it often for a week or two then move it.

[picksbigwagon]

It is not canvas, but a heavy duty nylon, keep your hooks out of it and your ice cleats off of it and you will be fine. I see you list WBL as your location, 10+ years ago, a buddy and I built our first ice house with plywood and a tarp, left it in front of his in laws on WBL and 3 days later is was gone. Like I said, don't leave it on the ice......

[Gus]

I think the canvas will be ok, but the poles would be a concern of mine. I don't think they are all that beefy and only go in the corners. A good wind at the side of the house while unattended and I think you might be in for trouble. For the money though, it is a good house.

[dave_f]

We had the original poles bend real quick after a windy day on presque isle on lake erie, but my buddy made new ones out of heavier aluminum and we've had no problems since. for the price nice shelter expecially if you get it on sale

[JohnMickish]

I figured the poles would be real cheap and planned on not using them anyways. I get paid to bend pipe and have become quite proficient at it over the years. I figured I'd replace the cheap stuff with either 1" EMT or maybe 3/4" IMC.

[picksbigwagon]

My buddy has my old cabelas house, could make an extra set of those pipes??? He lives in your neighborhood too.....

[JohnMickish]

I'd be glad to. After I get mine I'll make an extra set and post something about them back here.

[picksbigwagon]

I can't think of the name of that little lake he moved to last year, but I know he is technically in Willerni (S.P.)

at least that is what he claims.....I know for a fact that he dropped one of the poles through the ice hole to the bottom of Lake Phalen........