Otter cabin Medium Questions?HELP

[chris63]

Picked up a used otter cabin.Just installed hyfax today.Got some best led lights hooked up and put the cabin up in the garage.Just wondering about a couple of the aluminum poles that came with it.The two that adjust and the one that looks like it should be the center pole in a circus tent.(Has a pointed plastic end on one side).What the heck am I suppose to do with these?Do you guys use the "extra"stuff(poles)or am I missing some thing?Thanx for any replies in advance.I think I will give the cabin a try tomorrow on Oak or maybe Tonka.Laterc63

[Northlander]

The one with the plastic point goes in a hole on the back of the tub under the window.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I myself just got an Otter Cabin. The pointed stick goes in the back to hold it up, mostly on windy days. The other poles are for support and upright poles. Usually I do not use these. However, on a windy day when they really help to stop the poles and canvas from flopping around.

[Deitz Dittrich]

As said, unless its really windy, I dont use my poles at all... I put one of the extension poles right behind my heater by the front door, to hold the fabric off the heater.. the rest are unused unless the wind is blowing bad!

[chris63]

Thankyou guys for the replies...Im going out tomorrow early am.will give report pm..thanx again.cyac63

[BoxMN]

Do a search on using Reflectix insulation on the inside roof. I did my Otter Cabin, and it is wonderful, and little to no added weight or space, and it goes up and comes down same as without. Helps with light at night, and of course heat.

I have bench seat, and have found that by putting 4 total eye bolts, two on each side, I can just set the auger (I have weighty Model 30...) on top and bungie it using eye bolts and the auger sits there perfect. It is also then easy when sliding into truck, as two bungie cords and I can them set auger in next to sled and it is easy and fast to slide into truck.

I really like my Cabin. Have fun! Going to WBL in the am.

[Fred_Bear]

Box, how did you attatch the reflectix to the inside of the canvas?

[BoxMN]

Somebody had some good details posted awhile back, but here is the basics.

Open up shack.

Take sharpie and mark the edges of where the velcro straps go - so you will know where they are later.

Measure width and length of just the top.

Cut the reflectix to fit. I added about 1/2 inch on width to each side, so total of 1 inch wider. Added about 2" below the post on rear, and about 1" below the post on the front.

The Reflectix is only 4" wide, so you will need to cut an additional piece for width, then duct tape it to width.

So now it is the right size. (the factory edge is flatter, so I used the cut edge and a factory edge on the seam, and it is very flat.)

Then take all the velcro off the ceiling bars. Slide the reflectix in over the middle top bar, and position it over front and rear bars.

Then you stretch it best as can, and cut slits for the front velcro straps. That is what holds it all in place. I put a small piece of plywood behind the reflectix and cut it with utility knife, to keep from cutting velcro or canvas.

Then velcro in the front 3 straps, and pull tight to the rear, and do the same for (I think) 3 in the rear.

You're done It folds up just like before, and lays alomst as flat. I do pull the canvas "in" in the middle when I fold it up, as the reflectix then bends in the middle and it actually folds up "perfect" in halves.

Thanks to whoever posted this idea in the first place, great idea that works fantastic.

You can get 3 two man shakcs from one roll of 4'x25' reflectix, about $30 at Fleet. Good luck!

oh yeah, my bro changed the time we are going in the AM to miss sunup... drat...

[Beaver15]

Same as Deitz. I own the Lodge and use the extension pole in front to keep the canvas away from the heater. The other poles just lay in the tub unless the wind is really howling.

[jwhjr]

I also only use the extension pole to keep the canvas away from the heater by the door. The others sit in the tub unless the wind is howling.

[fishinJohn]

A couple long strips of velcro allow you to strap the loose poles to one of the attached poles (I use the pole that goes over the door) to keep them out of the tub but handy if it gets windy.

[chris63]

Just got back from fishing oak today(watertown)First trip for the otter cabin.What a great house.Easy to set up/take down.The ice was 10 inches every where measured.No problem because I have to walk on due to the fact it is a "private lake" except for walk on from the luce line trail.Fishing was great!Sunfish bit all day long.Got there at sunup and caught a 13 inch crappie first drop.Put him back thinking this was going to be easy.Well you can guess what?That was the only crappie all day.Oh well its ok because I kept 10 real nice sunnies to eat.There is a nice population of wallies in there but they were not biting today.Thankyou all for your replies about the cabin.What a great portable.Now I just need a new sled(snowmobile)to pull it and Mille,Low and Leech look out!!!Ramble off latercyac63