Opinions wanted on Clam 6800

[Dan97]

Howdy All...

My buddy has a chance at a great deal on a new Clam 6800. He's not online and asked me to post for him.

What do ya think of these? Pros and cons wanted.

Thanks.....Dan

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[cwmn]

I got one this season and I love it!! The only draw back is it's tuff to get up on a really windy day.

[Guest]

Hi Dan I own a new clam 6800 I would recommend that model to your friend . It has 6 holes and can be fished by four people but the wife and I find that two people in it with fishing gear is just right . i also have found that wind is a factor when setting up so on windy day's I put the house tow rope over my pickup hitch and this takes care of the problem untill I get my gear inside . This is a very light house and very easy to load and move around . Your friend wont be sorry with the 6800! Brad

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[bturck]

My son bought the 6800 late January and it is a really good unit. The only drawback is that without the sled (like my voyageur) toting the gear is tougher if you need to pull it to your sight. We use his ATV a lot if driving isn't possible. We mounted four milk crates on the ATV and this solved the problem. I also like it from the standpoint of no snow, the outside edges protrude upward and does not allow wind to come in under the house. I think it would be a good choice. I agree 4 can fish, 2 is really great.

[Guest]

I just bought one and love it!!! Everything that everybody has said is true!!

[bigeyes]

I have had the 6800 for 3 years now(I have a friend who works at USL) and have used it roughly 50 times. It is a pretty solid unit They did have some sewing problems(all of my straps ripped in a relatively mild wind conditions. I wasn't happy about that, but resewed them myself and they have held well! That problem has also been corrected this year when they went to a system that no longer had a flap where the outside overlap connected to the house portion. Also the poles are square and the snap attachments are round so the pole tends to fall down in moderate winds since they can't get very snug. The floor can be VERY slippery with that smooth glossy plastic finish, especialy with a little ice build-up. Also the floor has the grooved style where meltwater and dead minnows, etc. collect and then it freezes(adding substantial weight) Also this style house has the middle hinge area where the two sides meet and flip in a suitcase fashion(something else to trip across when running to grap a line) while the other clams have that hinge area pivot and lay flat. The floor is my biggest complaint, I wish they would go to a style simmiler to that of the 460 or 5600. Also because of the bigger house with more distance between sides the 2 cross member extension poles absulutely will bow down with gravity. Also this is a vehicle transported house or if you must walk out, glare ice only. In snow because of the shape and size it digs in and is very hard to pull if it has fishing gear on it, trust me, very hard! They used thin plastic flooring to keep weight down, so this unit can't be dragged on many long trips with atv's or it will wear right through! Also due its height,large surface area and thin light aluminum poles this is not a unit that can be setup or used in anything more than moderate wind, the poles will bend instantely. Having said all that, I like the unit, feel it has the best fabric on the market, can be setup in 45 seconds, is relatively durable, and yes is very light and can be handled by 1 person. Also you need a full sized truck with a 6 1/2 bed or else it won't work. If I had to buy a unit again though it would definitely be the voyager! When fishing you have to be mobile, and if you like a floor, a lot of guys buy a rubber mat for them, it works great. Less wind resistance, faster setup, pulls though deep snow easy, you can stand in it too!

[hawgTime]

I was at Gander Mt. in Fridley today and they had 4 Clam 6800 shelters left which were on sale for $350.

mJay

[This message has been edited by hawgTime (edited 02-28-2002).]

[Guest]

Now that's a deal I paid $500.00 for mine at L&M supply