Pak Shack question

[thirtysomething]

Has anybody used or seen the Pak Shack in person? I had to downsize to a small car and this seems like a good deal. I didn't mind fishing on a bucket most of last year, but a little shelter is a nice thing, especially after dark. If anyone has any advise about these units, it's greatly appreciated. My concerns are the lawn chair style chair in it, and how much room you really have. I'm used to two holes, or sometimes a third for the Marcum. Thanks everyone!

[bturck]

Thirtysomething: My wife and son bought me one last year for Xmas for days when I go alone and don't want to set up the Explorer. It is tighter once your're used to a 3 man unit but it works fine. You need to set some things outside like tackle box etc. Pretty tight for more than one hole, but you could do it. No room for the sunflower so I just used my colman lantern. I took a boat cushion along to sit on, the chair by itself is a little lower than what I like. It certainly is light weight and sets up in seconds. At Sportsman whse last week I did see a larger version. Looks like you could drill two holes pretty easily. Good luck and hang on. Bill

[zamboni]

Yeah the larger version claims 3 men can fish out of it.

[Scott M]

Yeah, with all the gear the modern angler is bringing out with him, you pretty much need to subtract one from the manufacturer's suggested maximum capacity.

[zamboni]

Yep, you said it- Clam says 3 in a 5600, more like 2 with gear

[Ron Vroom]

Last season I wrote a couple items regarding the Pak Shack. Here is one of them:I have used mine a few times now and love it. Here are a couple tricks: When it is windy, (I've been out a couple times with wind between 15-20mph) Put an ice screw anchor down and attach back of shelter to it before opening up chair, then open chair and pull canopy up so the wind blows the shelter directly downn wind and then drill your hole. That way you won't have any side wind to deal with. Either replace the cap nuts on each of the 2 round swivel mounts of the canopy to the chair with nylon lock nuts, or Loctite the cap nuts, they are prone to become loose and fall off. Durability wise, I don't think there is any problem, the shelter material looks to be rip stop nylon which is plenty tough as long as you don't burn it and use the sturdy storage bag. Mountaineering tents and parachutes are made from the same stuff. The chair is plenty sturdy and large and comfortable. I have had the riveted pivot points on other folding canvass chairs break, but they are easily fixed with small stainless bolts and locknuts. Will be giving mine a real test this weekend lake trout fishing near Ely with sub-zero conditions predicted and let you know.

That Ely trip went well with minus 24 temps. No fish though.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have one and used it about 6 times last year...It worked pretty slick.... was warm enough that I didn't need a heater, I assume my own boddy heat in the smaller area was enough... its also black so it absorbed the sun light. I was able to fit my rod bag on the ice under my seat so all my gear was right there. Not many other options that will fit in the trunk or back seat of a car.

[Duffman]

Not a ton of room in there, but this pic will give ya an idea of what to expect.

[Smoore]

Duffman, does that coleman heater keep it warm in there?

[Duffman]

It all depends on the outside weather conditions, that Sportcat only puts out 1100 BTU's. Just enough to take the chill out of the air and maybe keep your hole from skimming over. It's a nice handwarmer.

I picked up the Pak Shack last year for certain on ice ventures. Those trips out in the sticks where you cannot get a normal portable in, or those spots where ATV and Sled travel is prohibited. That's the main reason I took the Sportcat vs my Buddy heater, it's lighter in weight when you're hoofing it. Bungee all my stuff to a backpack frame, grab the MarCum and go fishin. The Pak Shack may not be the best portable out there in terms of durability and use, but it sure beats sitting out in the wind on a desolate lake. Mid-January last year in northern MN, 10 degrees and no snow;

[Carp-fisher]

Hey Thirtysomething,

Another option to look at are the Eskimo Quickfish models. They are a "hub style" floorless model. I own the Quickfish III; it can fish 3 guys weighs 20 something pounds and will fit in the backseat of a car. Click on the below link and check out the video clip of me setting one up:

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB5&Number=944773&Forum=f5&Words=carp&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=944097&Search=true&where=sub&Name=&daterange=1&newerval=1&newertype=y&olderval=9&oldertype=m&bodyprev=#Post944773

[TroyMcClure]

I have one and like it just fine. During the day on Mille Lacs with -20 temperatures it worked fine. In fact the sun helped to warm it up a little bit and I took a nice nap (a few beverages tend to ::ahem:: tucker me out) and woke up with a perch in my hands.

Don't underestimate the single man shelter when "#2 calls" and you have to drill a "half-hole". It provides just enough room.