Otter Mod Update, With Pics.

[Shack]

I was messing around and figure I would do a before and after (so far) of my sled mod... I have do some more, but have not taken pictures yet.. I have carpet waiting, glue and hinges (on now and sunken, not in these pics). I also have started on the right rear compartment for storage trays and shelves. This is where my car radio/ C/D play will be mounted and speakers also. I will be able to turn to my right and access radio controls when I flip the compartment cover to the rear and also other items.

I have front center console frame cut, but not together yet. The bucket (upside down) in rear is where the sunken minnow bucket will be. I am toying with the idea of a 12v bubbler in right storage area and run a line to bucket for shiners.

Both front seats and covers underneath will flip forward to expose deep cell battery under my seat (left) and rod storage that goes under console to the right. Heater storage is in left rear, with a little area for some other stuff. Once I start carpet, I will take apart down to frame and install wiring and fuse panel and other elec. items. I figure I will post more images when I am done in the next couple of weeks, but I might throw some post carpet pics up after I complete that mile stone. I wish I was further, but have been busy the last week. Here we go!

This is my Otter Mod. I have used for the last four years. This is the before. It worked, but I wanted to upgrade.

Broke down to sled. Have not seen it like this in years.

I just have seats sitting on lids right now. The storage lids will fold forward (should clear bunched up canvas). I am going to mount the seats on 5" lift pedistals, to allow for higher seats (I like my feet dangling) and to allow lip of seat miss front of sled.

I forgot!

I would really to thank Mcgurk for starting me on this journey and also would like to thank:

Reynolds

Rusty Iron Man

and

Blaze

Your guy’s idea's have really help me get a hold on the small things and big.

I have searched and searched for Hanson's and Paul's W mods, but have not found them. if anyone has a link to them, I would be great full for posting it. If those guys want to throw a couple of pics up, that would be great

Thanks.

[magnum mike]

I made a similar mod to mine a few years back with a slightly different layout. Mine has a sheet of plywood over the entire top with a hinged trap door in the middle to allow access into the tub. This design gives you plenty of storage below the deck and a nice big surface on top. We put carpet on the lid so it is "insulated". For seats we used boat seats. They don't have to be bolted down. You can lean WAY back and they don't move on the carpet.

[McGurk]

Looks good, Shacky! How thick is the plywood that you used for that? And get some more pix up; Ice's a'comin'!!!

[calli4120]

The mods look great but you better hurry up and get it finished.

What are you going to use as a battery for the car stereo? I have an old cd player that I took out of a car when I sold it and I have been thinking about putting it in my portable too. I just wasn't sure what I would need for a battery.

[hanson]

Here's a shot of my Otter Lodge.

Doesn't really show the detail but I've got some links to some old topics that might help you out.

Paul Waldowski (and others) Portable House Modifications

Paul's photos are on the 2nd page of this topic.

1st Annual Portable Modification GTG Recap (with Photos)

[Shack]

Chris,

First off nice mod...

Thanks for the links. I have been looking high and low for the Mod. thread. I can not believe I skipped over it some how.

All you guys in that thread have some great ideas and nice sleds.

I also did not know how the Mod. Get together got started. Just you guys in a park and now a big shabang at Thorn Bro’s. I never knew it was like the “back to the fifties” for hot rods. It’s just like a car show with out the trophies (maybe you guys have them). I wish I was able to make it this year. I will for sure make it next year.

[Blaze]

Looks good, Shack! Would love to redo mine this year, but the perm house got all my attention instead. I'll be curious to hear after you've fished in it a few times what you like and dislike about the new setup. I had some "grand ideas" that were flops, and little things that turned out to be the cat's meow.

Keep us posted!

[Shack]

Mcgurk,

I think it is 5/8". Its some kind for very strong plywood/pressed wood, they use in comerical poured wall forms. A budy of mine gave me a sheet for shelving in my garage (it handles very large loads and does not bend). I had some left over and figured this is a very use for it.

As far as the seats, I ran boat seat for the first couple of years. I did not mind them, but they are not the most forgiving seats in the world. I bought these cheapy seats from Wal fart and with the high back and wider bottom, they actually are more comfortable the reg. boat seats. As you can see on the first image, I have some lawn tractor style cushions I can put in them. They bring you up high and add padding. I bought them at Millaca Unclaimed for like $4 or $5 bucks. I have found seats are still more comfortable with out them.

Blaze,

I am thinking of this all the time. Its one reason I have not pushed installation of carpet yet. I figure take my time and differnt idea's come along, rather than try to push it all out in one or two weeks ends. With the link Hanson just posted, I have gotten some more idea's and changes might occur once again.

[calli4120]

What are you going to use as a battery for the car stereo?

[Shack]

Sorry Calli,

A deep cycle marine trolling battery. It will be stored under the seat with the red rod holders attached to it.

I put battery in sled in fall, charge right in sled and take it back out in spring.

[calli4120]

No problem.

I've been working on my portable the last few weekends and all I really have left is installing the electronics that I will be using and deciding on a battery. I think that I'm gonna wait to finish it so I can get it on the ice and see where everything will fit the best while I'm actually using it.

What are you going to do for charging the battery?

[BoxMN]

Just wondering, but have you guys tried (or done the calculations) for using a vex style gel battery for the car stereo? I would think it would last at least for the day, and then charge it up when you get back. It sure would be a lot lighter than a deep cycle, even a small one. Just a thought, not sure if it would work. Nice mods! I might do my Otter Cabin some day, but for now it is pretty basic.

[Shack]

Either I would flip open lid were battery will be or I have toyed with the idea of install a remote neg. and positive terminal posts at an easy access point. This would consist of two battery term clamps, connected to a positive and negative battery cables and then connect the cables to posts fixed to front area of sled. I would have a plastic cover of positive. This would be like the remote jump/charging posts in cars with battery tucked away from site. Its just a thought for now and we will see what comes up.

Box,

I have been using deep cycle battery for years and have gotten used to weight. For a vex battery to run electronics (graph/flasher and underwater camera), lights and radio I would think would be a hard pull for vexi battery. Now, I have run two rev. light single element bulbs for light since I bought shack. I think these bulbs draw a lot of amps. Now when I get LED lighting, this might change everything. I do love the light the two 12v rev. bulbs put off. Its bright like sun light and glows jigs nice. It also seems to give off a nice bit of heat. Amazing a have never had to replace a broken bulb.

[Shack]

Just got done putting in an evening on the Otter Mod...

My family and I elected not to go to the Ice fishing show today , because of weather. So we put Christmas stuff up and Tree. I also put boat away, started heater in garage and got snow stuff ready. After that, I headed down to get a good boost on Mod. What you can not see is the lids for hatches. I cut carpet, wrapped and glued. They are being pressed by a couple hundred pounds of weight. I stacked them between boards and put weight on top after I glued. I put them on and off 3 times to get them to align just right. I put the rest of evening into finishing dividers and console. I spent a lot of time thinking as well and threw back a couple of cold ones.

I feel I will get a good go and accomplish a lot of stuff on Sunday. Here are a couple of updated images.

[jwhjr]

Looks good!

[Shack]

Thanks!

I sure made some good progress this afternoon. The hatch lids came out great and fit perfect. I finished the console some more and had thought about making a forward storage compartment under forward cantilever shelf. I figure storage at you finger tips is a great thing to have. My cup holders fit in place and my back storage area for Propane cly., also holds/fits a five gallon bucket.

My rod storage area should fit a legacy rod holder (if I get one) and will be easy access from where I sitt all the time (the drivers seat).

I have started gathering and placing wiring and fuse panel. Battery will sit under drivers seat and switches will be built into side of console, for my easy reach. Radio (as of this point will be in passenger side rear compartment, with face up to sky. That way I will be able to easily reach control my self.

Its starting to all come together. I have about a hundred other things I should be doing (at least what my wife says), but weeks of thought and fellow F.M.ers help, things are coming together.

More to come when I finish more.

[Shack]

Forward progress. Some images from today. I carpeted the center console lid and its being glue pressed. I am heading back down to do some wiring. I am in the home stretch.

[Sandmannd]

Lookin good Shack. You think it will be ready by the weekend?

[DzNuts]

Quote:

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Forward progress. Some images from today. I carpeted the center console lid and its being glue pressed. I am heading back down to do some wiring. I am in the home stretch.

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I better hurry up.

Looks good Bash.

[DzNuts]

Bash,

Is that shelf sticking out going to bother how the cover sits on the shack?

Ryan

[Shack]

Sand,

I do not think so. I have been forgetting my Otterskin cover (the shack canvas) every day (including today) to bring down for a new zipper. I am not going to put it all back together with out having a new zipper on it. I even had it sitting right in front of my path out to garage this morning, but because of kids (not blaming them) I took another direction out of house.

I am putting it car tonight. It takes about a week to repair.

Besides that, I am plugging away at the last of the little things and should have most, if not all completed by this weekend.

It should not stop me from getting out and doing some open face icefishing though.

[Shack]

Dznuts,

I have never used a cover. I think with having all compartments covered now and using treated wood and finish off the rest, I should be good to go.

If I do decide to use a cover and it does not fit, I will just have Canvas Crafts in Ramsey let it out a little. I do not think it would cost me that much.

[Sandmannd]

Quote:

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It should not stop me from getting out and doing some open face icefishing though.

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Hey Shack, I'm trying to get a few peeps to go up to Mille Lacs on Saturday morning. I think KingFisher is in and possibly GoogleEyes. Let me know if you are interested. I got room for four to six people in my truck and pull a trailer for my portable. Can fit another portable in there as well. Was thinking if we don't have more than my portable, we can always use that as a warming hut. Let me know if you are interested.

[Shack]

I will let you know. I might be busy this weekend (with family stuff), but I might head up to open up Perm and do some repairs. Thanks alot though, I will let you know.