Canvas Craft Portable

[scaup]

Hey Guys,

Looking for a little information on Canvas Craft Insulated Portables. I just dumped my 6x8 Clam and am looking for something else. Any info would be helpfull.

Thanks

[Shack]

Click here for Info on Canvas Crafts Shacks.

Best thing is go one down their and talk with Steve at Ramsey location. Very nice guy and knows his stuff. They have a bunch of units on display. Very neat.

Good luck!

[IceHawk]

I purchased a 6x8 from these guys a few years ago and they make a great product. The big selling point for me was the quality and the way the house folds into a suitcase (very-compact). It fits great in between the wheel wells of my chevy. Excellent house to bring along as a base camp cook shack or when the family wants to go out all together.

[sweept]

I have a 6X8 that I purchased from them over 15 years ago.

Still in Great shape would buy another if the need arose.

[scaup]

Thanks for the info so far. I am wondering if any was experience with the Norpac material? I am really wondering if it is worth the extra $? Thanks again..............

[Iron Cowboy]

I have had a few canvas craft houses in the past and currently have two. one 6x8 standard and this year got the 8x8 norpac insulated. all i can say is it once you get the insulated you will never go back. my 4 wheel drive truck came to mind the first time I used it. another thing I did not absolutely need but after I had it I cant imagine going without it.If you plan on having it for years to come it will be one of those things where you say it was worth every penny. No drafts and a lantern is all thats needed for heat on most trips out. The other night it was below zero, had the lantern and one of the small sunflower heaters that hooks to a one pound tank and had to keep the setting as low as it would go to keep from getting too hot in a t-shirt. I honestly think the money saved in propane will make up for the extra cost in a few years

[scaup]

Ironcowboy,

Thanks for the info. I was wondering if it is as good as it sounds and it sounds like it is. I would not mind leaving the 20lb tank at home thats for sure. Thanks agian.

[Seeker of Clayface]

Scaup,

I have an 8x8 also (Norpac) and as others have said, they heat up like a charm. What I like too is the white-sided interior. Really lights up well.

[bassNspear]

Canvas Craft makes a awesome product. I have one that I am going to spear out of. So mine is all black on the inside, carpet on the floor, and i painted the bottom of the house with a oil base paint to same for floor. They make a awesome product. You wont be mad for purchasing one.

[Shack]

I currently own a Otterskin medium from Canvas Crafts on an Otter II sled. I have the black canvas. I thought about getting the double wide medium this year. I have been in their Ramsey location 3 times now in the last month or so. I have asked them about the Norpac. The only thing I can find the is an issue with me, is the fact it burns and melts. Now I never figured in the possibility of not bringing 20lber with, but one brush with a heater and you have a badge of Honor, until repaired. Also i bring smokers with and I am still wondering about the white inside. Beside this, the stuff is great. Now in a square suit case style, this might not be a factor. In a flip over style, you will have to watch very closely when packing up for the night or moving heater around.

Now the black material, on the other hand if flame proof. You can brush it up against the heater and nothing will happen. Now if you hold a map gas torch to it, it will blow a hole threw, but will not burn.

I bought my porty cover almost 7 years ago. I will admit, I do not take care of my ice fishing stuff all that great. I do not clean, treat or fold the fabric. It has stayed very nice all these years. Plus they have round polls, that do not bind and slide very nice after all these years. I have sat in the other brand’s new style flip over unit’s on the market today and really like the innovations and features they have. I just do not see them lasting 15-20 years, after the abuse of ice fishing. Plus these new units are not cheap.

Good luck in your purchase!

Ask them about the discount for repairs if you bought unit their. I have been talking to Eric.

[captainstevo]

I have a Canvas Craft cabin that is insulated and have fished out of a few others and there is nothing bad that I can say about them. I would recomend these houses to anyone. They are great. I would also agree with the money saved on propane will make up for the costs of the house. The zippers that they use are one of the high points that I have found, I have managed to ruin a zipper on anything that I have used but my portable, that thing is indistructable.

[Gator Slayer]

Once you go white......

Yep the white interior is great, however it does tend to stain. I'm on my second and wouldn't hesitate to buy one again. One thing I would do is have some light "sleeves" sewn to keep the NMT tubing from rubbing on the white fabric and staining it. The double sided version that Steve now has has been fished in at -20 with strong winds and was heated by two buddy heaters set on low. They are more than a little heavier if you pull your sled by hand or have to load it into the back of a truck. good luck

[kgpcr4]

I am just putting together a 5x8 Norpac house right now. I am taking a break from putting the floor together. It looks like one SWEET house!! The insulated walls are unbelieveable. I can see why it does not take much to heat one!!i CANT WAIT to get it out on the ice!

[bassNspear]

i just got done putting mine together. Man these houses are flippen awesome. I just got done cutting the spear hole in the house. I have the Northlander with black canvas. I am jacked to us this thing, its going to be a awesome house.

[scaup]

Great Feedback guys I really appreciate it. Hopefully I can find the time to get the deal done.

Thanks to all,

Scaup

[Shack]

Bass N Spear,

Wait until a 0 deg. sunny day. The shack being black absorbs the sun light and heats the shack almost on its own. I can not see why other brands do not use black.

Good luck on all your guys houses. I think you all made a wise choice.

[Eastwind]

A friend of mine has had a Magnum Flip Otterskin with the Norpac insulation made by Canvas Craft for four Winters now. He loves it. It does not drip with condensate when it is bitter cold out like my non-insulated Otter. Unless it is bitter cold he barely needs to run a heater, often using just a propane lantern for heat. It is a little heavy, though, for one guy to get in and out of a truck.

[harvey lee]

I fished out of a new canvas Craft portable this weekend and was very impressed with just how warm it was without a heater. The temps outside were around 4-6 above in the mornuing and approx 14 in the afternoon.

We never used the heater and with wearing my Arctic armor, i was not cold at all. No sweat inside the house and the windows didnt ice up. It seemed to do very weel with keeping the wind out. The poles were very easy to set up and also take down. Nice viewing windows in the front and rear of the house and the side windows were like a mesh, which one could see out of and also great as a vent if needed. No worry with any side windows cracking on you.

my overall rating of this house would be a 10 for the first time out as I was very happy with its performance.

I would without a doubt check out thier line of houses igf you are in the market for a new portable.

Check the canvas craft line out here.

http://www.canvascraftinc.com/iceshelters.html

[bassNspear]

Tom i agree with you 100%

I was out today, used it for the first time, and man is it awesome. i spear out of mine, and the canvas was so dark, that when i came out of the house, i had to put sunglasses on cuase it was so dark.

It was very warm as well, and i love the way that they build them. They are so solid, that its hard to say there not going to last for many years.

Awesome awesome product. Get yours today!!

[bassNspear]

here is a picture of my house that i have. I took more pictures of the house itself, i just have to get them uploaded. Once i do, i will upload them here

[buzbunni]

What more can I add?

Santa was good to me. I picked up the NorpacR2 Magnum single and he paid for half of it. What a guy!

I've only fished in it once, but it was awesome. It's a tad heavy(with seats, gear, etc.), but managable. I like to sleep overnight on occasion, and I felt this was the ticket. I bought from the Rogers,MN location, and Matt was extremely helpful(and patient ) with me during the process.

One recommendation: If you go with the NorpacR2 option, use a seam-sealer on the roof seams. If you get caught fishing in the rain, the pin-holes in the seams can drip a bit.

[bassNspear]

what is the best thing you like about your house? I have one, and i believe that its the quality on the way they build them!!!

[buzbunni]

Quality. Customer Service. It's warm. It's black.

Hey Bass n Spear, is yours a 6x8?

[Shack]

Quote:

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Quality. Customer Service. It's warm. It's black.

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I second that.

Mine is about 7 or 8 years old now and is in great shape.

[bassNspear]

Quote:

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Hey Bass n Spear, is yours a 6x8?

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that is correct