Best bang for the buck, flip over houses

[fishingguy]

I know this subject has had many, many threads before, but here goes again. I have about $400 to spend, give or take. Looking for a 1 man + house. Something 54" to 60" wide, like the extra elbow room for me and gear. Plus I want it to be reasonably light to pull it by hand. I will also be towing it with a 4 wheeler if I have a long distance to travel and when the ice is good enough.

I have looked a several in that price range. The Fish trap guide, is 60" wide and weighs in at about 80 lbs. Like the size and weight, but am not crazy about the way the seats are fastened(bolted) to the tub. Unless the 07's are different. Also would like a little more head room. The frabill Trekker, is also 60" wide and weighs in at 75 lbs. Like the seats are removable and adjustable from side to side. Just not sure about the quality. It being frabill's low end house. The otter widerness series. Have not seen these in person but have visited otters web site thru the link here. Both the perch, and walleye are in that size and price range I want. But the weight is a bit misleading. 50 and 60 lbs respecively. That is with out the seats. I assume that they weigh about 25 lbs each. Have read on other posts that the seats are to close together if you use 2, the way the tub is designed. Eskimo's quickflip II. Also not seen in person. Like the size, weight is a bit heavy. Also not crazy about the bench seat. The backrest does fold down but I think that the bench it self will just be in the way when it comes to gear in the sled.

I have looked at many others of all the brands, like the yukon, prowler, cabin, ect.. ect.. ect.. but again, they are a bit to high for my budget.

Any other brands, models out there I should be looking at? Any thoughts or opinions on the ones mentioned? Your opinions will help greatly in narrowing down my final purchase choice. Thanks!

[nytelyter]

otter den check them out at otter.com

they are a site sponser my den is on its 4th year i am a very large guy at 6'3" and 350+ granted i cant stand up in it but there is enuff room for me my marcum flasher buddy heater and others stuff needed for comfort and you just cant beat their sleds. ... paul

[MuskieJunkie]

As far as bang for the buck, the Eskimo Quick Flip II Deluxe is on sale at Fleet Farm right now for $249, you can't beat that with a baseball bat.

[efgh]

I looked at a Otter cottage, it is a little bigger than a den,I think you would be happy with this one.

[DEADhead]

If I was in your position I would buy either an Otter Den or Otter Small Cottage . I am looking for a one man portable that I can drag by myself without too much work. I want something that is truly portable and easy to get into remote areas, so I am going to purchase an Otter Den this winter. I've looked at the Fishtrap Pro, the Otter Den, and Otter Small Cottage. The Otter is the way to go. You can get the seating configuration you want (bench, swivel, etc.) and mount it where you want if you want it offset. The Fishtrap's seat is mounted right in the middle of the sled, and is not moveable. I like to sit in my shelter off to one side and out of the way of my flasher and heater. It's also easier for me to get in and out of the shelter when the hole is off to one side instead of the middle of the shelter.

The sled is the best tub out there, the canvas is heavy duty and the square tubing is very strong. For the money, the tubing and the quality sled are what will help sell the Otter over the Fishtrap. I might also mention that I own a Yukon, so I feel this is an unbiased opinion.

[old_school]

go to the st. paul ice fishing show. you can see all of the flip over houses. your $400 will go allot farther there.