Canvas Craft - An Inside Look

[Dave]

With temps ranging from –10 to –30 degrees across Minnesota, call me wimpy but, trying to stay warm inside a portable ice fishing shelter on such cold days is not my idea of fun. Rather than sit at home on one such cold day, however, I decided to do a little shopping…. fish house shopping that is. I made a trip to Canvas Craft Inc., located in Ramsey, Minnesota. Now, with what I’ve learned, I’ll have to rethink my hard water fishing plans on such cold arctic days.

The OtterSkin Flip-Over is available in a variety of sizes; with or without the sled

Canvas Craft has been manufacturing outdoor fabric products since 1977. With its introduction of the OtterSkin, twenty some years ago, ice fishing shelter technology at Canvas Craft just keeps getting better. Canvas Craft developed - and is the exclusive distributor - for NorpacR2, an extreme weather fabric featuring Thinsulate insulation quilted between two layers of flame resistant fabric. Now, ice fishing in such cold temps might be rather enjoyable.

Current NorpacR2 material on left has more insulating capabilities than previous generation material on right

From what I saw at Canvas Craft, the quality and ruggedness of ice fishing shelters coming out of its modest sized Ramsey location does compete with big box outdoor retailers. Actually, Canvas Craft manufactures some of those fishing shelters as well. If you’re in the market for an ice fishing shelter, here’s what I witnessed while at Canvas Craft.

Canvas Craft OtterSkin shelters are available in heavy single layer canvas or the NorpacR2 insulated material. The NorpacR2 material adds from 3-5 pounds of weight, depending on the shelter size. But, sitting in a NorpacR2 equipped shelter should be approximately 35 degrees warmer than a standard canvas shelter.

If your budget permits, I think the minimal added weight of the NorpacR2 material is a non-factor in respect to what is gained; warmer inside temperature, no condensation build-up inside, easier to heat, brighter inside and no wind flap, to name a few benefits.

Steel, double pole support systems add strength to the shelter.

Rugged cloth trim basically eliminates ripped skirting; when removing shelter from frozen in areas.

Fully velcro attached insulated windows on NorpacR2 equipped shelters

Side vents (one on each side)double as eye level windows. Vent size can be adjusted easily. An accessory pouch is also incorporated on each side

All types of bench or single seats are available separately or in a shelter package.

Reflective material on each outside corner for safety while night fishing

The Northlander Series of shelters are available in a variety of sizes (4X8 to 8X8) in kit form – where you supply the wood floor and assembly – or completely assembled. The Northlander Series of shelters fold up for transporting; much like a suitcase.

The Northlander Series, like the OtterSkin flip-over models, are available constructed in either heavy canvas or NorpacR2 material.

I gained a ton of valuable information about ice fishing shelters from the staff at Canvas Craft. It would be time well invested if you did also, while shelter shopping. Canvas Craft has two locations, in Rogers and Ramsey, Minnesota. And, they repair or custom build fishing shelters, boat covers, tents, awnings and a variety of other tarp related needs.

Contact:

Canvas Craft

To learn more about NorPacR2

NorPacR2

Rogers Location

763-428-4325/888-428-4325

Ramsey Location

763-421-2506/888-421-2506

[harvey lee]

Nice pics Dave. I have 2 Canvas Craft portables and will vouch for just how well built and warm they are. Fantastic portable for the ice fisherman or spearing dude.

[primetime49]

I have had two large boats outfitted for Lake Michagan at Canvas Craft with standup height full length tops and see thru side curtains.

They do oustanding work and have been a real attention getter whenever we pull them out

One was done 10 years ago and has not needed more than a single 6 dollar grommet replaced

Very good people to work with

They do a good job on travel covers also

[bassNspear]

House on the lake!!!

I cut a spear hole in the floor to spear out of. The hole is 4.5 feet, by 2.5 feet. Awesome and solid floor that anyone can hang out on. Be best part is, that it give you such great room, where I can have 2-3 guys sitting in the house at the same time, and still have alot of room in the house.

Outside Picture of the door.

All the houses that Canvas craft builds has the fit and finsh that everyone is looking for in a house.

[wishing for walleyes]

I am wondering if its pretty much the same material as the r2 tec from frabill?I am about to pull the trigger on a frabill r2 tec house in couple weeks.

[DTro]

 Originally Posted By: wishing for walleyes

I am wondering if its pretty much the same material as the r2 tec from frabill?I am about to pull the trigger on a frabill r2 tec house in couple weeks.

I'm almost sure it's the same material.

[Gator Slayer]

I was told by the guy from CC they make the fabric for Frabil. I have an insulated CC and would not own any other. It's my second (first I sold to my brother). The only complaint I have is the fabric will discolor. IF you were to sew a tube to run the NMT tubing in I think this would be completely avoided and it is what I will do with my next one--in about 10 years.

[bassNspear]

i didnt get the insulated canvas for mine. I just have to black canvas, so on colder days, its very hard to keep the house warm.

Next time i will get the insulated stuff just becuase i think it will help me out better for colder days on the ice. I love what i have now, becuase its a house that fits every need that i need.

The best thing about there company, is that they doing things for the customer. I bent a pole on monday when i was spearing, so i called the guys up there, and they told me that they would have one sitting there waiting for me when i come and get it. Just to make sure that i bring the other one back. Thats Customer Service right there. Thats always a big thing for me, is that a company has to take care of there people, and they do.

[Dave]

Dan, you mean, like this one Give CCI a call before you pull the trigger.

[Surface Tension]

I got to fish out of a Canvas Craft on the Lake Trout Opener. I'm sold on the insulated shelters. Its nice to be able to heat an Otter Lodge without a 12,000 btu sunflower.

Next Ice season I want one.

[hanson]

 Originally Posted By: wishing for walleyes

I am wondering if its pretty much the same material as the r2 tec from frabill?I am about to pull the trigger on a frabill r2 tec house in couple weeks.

It is. R2-Tec is the name of Frabill's house that uses the 3M NorpacR2 insulation. Its the exact same insulation that is in the CanvasCraft houses, and Canvas Craft has been making these for years. The price is a little easier on the wallet as well compared to the Frabill shacks. The Canvas Craft flip-over houses are built on Otter Tubs as well.

[wishing for walleyes]

Dave Thats what i am after.A few things that sold me on the frabill is.

1.The insulated shelter.

2.Theres lots of room in the frabill sled to store equipment.Ice auger,2 cameras,2 vexilars,6-8 fishing poles,bait=minnows.

3.Flip over style.

4.The size of the shelter & fishable area.

I am looking at the model 300 r2 tec.

setup size =113"L x 60"w x 81 h

Fishable area =64"x77"w

Right now i can get a model 300 on sale for $999

Does canvas craft have one as big or bigger than the 300?

From what i have seen on here canvas craft has great customer service.That alone could be a big selling point for me.

Does canvas craft have these setup where they can be sat in and looked over?

[harvey lee]

Canvas Craft has many models on the floor at the shop in Rogers that one can look at and sit in. They also have numerous different models all the way up to a 4 man and that baby is one big house.

[wishing for walleyes]

Looks like a trip to rogers is in order.The 4 man sounds interesting.

[Dave]

Dan, the Ramsey location, were I took the pics, had all the shelters setup. That was half the fun, trying each one out.

[DrillinHolz]

I bought a complete 6x8 northlander with the regular not insolated canvas last year. Its a great fish house warm and very roomy for 2 guys plus gear. only thing that bothers me about the house is the wood floor.. The boards under the hinge were cracked and it was getting worse with each use. I had to fabricate some aluminum patches to fix the problem. Also had to dremmel off the tips of some nails that were exposed on the inside of the of the house just under the door.. Other then those two issues its been well worth the money. If anyone is thinking of getting a northlander I suggest that you have canvas craft put a second door on it. Its nice having the 2doors so you aren't tripping over your gear and your buddy on your way out.

[wishing for walleyes]

Dave..I made the phone call and will be going to check them out next week.Thanks for all the info

[Central Bassman]

After sitting in BNS house for a few days,I WANT ONE!!!!!

[wishing for walleyes]

Dave...The trigger was pulled today on a model 300.At Canvas Craft. Matt & Ben were great to work with.They gave me a fair deal and if i ever have any problems they are only a phone call away.Just finished putting it together.Took a few hours to do but hey...it was my first one assembling.I could do another in half the time.Now if friday afternoon would hurry up and get here.......you know where i will be.Thanks for all the help Dave.

[bassNspear]

The last time that i had my house out, i bent one of the polls that hold the house up in my northlander, sure enough, i call matt up in rogers, and the man has one for me within a day. The thing i like about the guy, is he is always asking questions from customers about the houses and what they can do more and more about them to make it alot better for the person that owens it. I cant wait to see what they new stuff is going to be in the future.

[Seeker of Clayface]

I have a C.C. 8 X 8 insulated. She's a tank but worth lugging out there when I know I'll be stationary for long periods. Heats up just like downtown. Hoping to get one of their insulated flip-overs next season.

[cklages]

does any one know what size otter sled they use?

thanks

Chad

[Jim Almquist]

From what I have been told what ever size you see in a Otter they will make Cottage, Cabin, Lodge, Resort but it will have the R2 Tec material. Look at Canvas Craft with Otter sleds here

[bassNspear]

call the rogers store and talk with the guys there as well. They will be able to point you in the right direction upon what your looking for?

[Dave]

After a great Ice Show, Canvas Craft is now busy filling show orders but does keep a good supply of shelters in stock. Many people sold their single layer canvas shelters over the summer in order to upgrade to the NorPacR2 insulated fabric this year for very good reasons....toasty warm and no condensation inside