Otter Cabin vs. Lodge

[Wables]

I sold my Clam 5600 today in hopes of buying an Otter for this season. I am hoping that I can get some guidance from you guys as to which one to buy. Unfortunately, I am about 1 1/2 hours from the nearest Otter dealer, so I can't go and look for myself until I'm ready to buy. About 75% of the time I am fishing by myself. I am 6'-2", 240, and most of the people I fish with are at least my size. I am not too worried about towing as I have an ATV and we get little snow here.

I guess my most specific questions are:

How much bigger is the Lodge than the Cabin? I know the dimensions, but does the Lodge "feel" a lot bigger?

How do they compare in the wind?

Will I have a problem handling the Lodge by myself, especially with wind?

Are there problems fishing with 28-32" rods in the Cabin?

Is purple better than green for darkness inside the house?

Is it possible to fish two 240+ Lb guys all day in a Cabin?

Any other noticable differences between the two?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

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Wables

[Paul Waldowski]

Wables,

Here's my .02 to your questions

How much bigger is the Lodge than the Cabin? I know the dimensions, but does the Lodge "feel" a lot bigger? Yes

How do they compare in the wind? Not much difference

Will I have a problem handling the Lodge by myself, especially with wind? Not if it's hooked to an ATV or sled

Are there problems fishing with 28-32" rods in the Cabin? No

Is purple better than green for darkness inside the house? The green houses are darker

Is it possible to fish two 240+ Lb guys all day in a Cabin? Not comfortably

Any other noticable differences between the two?

Loved the cabin and it's a great house if size is a factor. If it's not, I would go with the lodge. It's a great two man house

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Paul
[email protected]
www.marcum.com
www.otter.com

[Rick]

Wables,
you will definitely want the Lodge.

Please, take my word for it...you won't regret your decision.

[Northlander]

Get the lodge. For 2 guys and gear you will be glad ya did. The extra floor/ice space is the thing.

[Guest]

Wables,

The Lodge is the way to go; and I'd highly suggest you buy the tow-kit and custom cover too.

If you have the tow-kit it prevents the shelter from wandering all over while in tow and possibly flipping, the cover keeps all the snow from getting kicked into the tub and covering your stuff with snow.

With the tow-kit you can easily manage fishing in just about any wind by parking your ATV and Lodge directly into the wind. This way, when you stand-up the shelter won't move an inch.

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Chells

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I have both the cabin and the lodge.
If you plan to fish 2 people at times go with the lodge. They also have a lot more room for hauling gear, (your power auger will fit in the lodge sled also).
I prefer the cabin if I plan to fish by myself though. It is easier to heat on cold days.
Cliff

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Cliff's Guide Service
CliffsGuideService-LakeVermilion.com
Lake Vermilion
Phone: (218) 753-2005

[iffwalleyes]

I have a lodge and I am 6'3" 300 and my buddy that fishes with me most of the time is 6'5" and we can fish comfortable in it all day. We have to use a Mr Heater cooker so that we can get the propane tank outside so there is enough room inside. With the lodge it is also possible to fish 4 holes I think with the cabin it would be tight. The other thing that was a deciding factor for me was that the lodge still fits inside a short box truck with a access cover it is the biggest house that you can fit inside a truck like that. This otter is about the same as my 6X8 suitcase portable and it is much better in the wind than the 6x8 because of the angle sides it breaks it up rather than hitting a flat wall. When you set up you will want your door side to be down wind and so that the wind hits the back of the house this is the best way in my opinion to set the house plus it is the warmest becase the wind can get under the house as easily.

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Grip it and Rip it

IFFWalleyes
I Fish For Walleyes

[Guest]

I've owned a "Otter Skin" shelter made by Canvas Craft for 3 seasons now, and couldn't be more satisfied. It mounts to a "Otter" sled, but folds out on both sides. Mine is 6'X12', is incredibly fast and simple to set up, and is not any bigger than a standard shelter that mounts on the same sled. I generally fish 2 people in it, but it will fish 4 more comfortably than any other shelter i've seen. When fishing 2 people, each person has so much room, I don't know why anyone would purchase anything else. The quality is first rate. The only problem I have, is now too many people want me to take them fishing! Not a bad problem though i guess. Just my 2 cents worth. Fish on!!!!!

[Captain B.R.K]

Wables- I own the Cabin and don't regret ever buying it!

Your dimensions question can be found at www.otter.com.

As for the color of the tarp, are you a Vikings or Packer fan? Really the difference from when I bought mine (2 years ago) was the stiching around the end of the poles attached to the sled. On the green tarp there was a double piece of cloth that protected the tarp from ripping. The purple did not have this and a result from opening and closing the tarp riped.
May want to call a rep on this (# on above HSOforum) to see if they have made improvements on the purple.

DEFINATELY get a cover as it holds everything in nicely...looks like a coffin pulling it on the ice

You are a little bigger guy than me, so having floor space and seating space may be a bigger factor for you. It was not for me.

Additional: I have the otter bench and it provides sweet seating. It flips back to when I want to access gear under the bench and is comfortable for a days fishing.

How much do you want to spend? Is sizing an issue? Other questions to ask yourself.

Good Luck- both are great products and do recommend OTTER!

[Guest]

The Cabin or the Lodge does not even come close to the room of the "Otter Skin" I strongly suggest you check it out before you buy anything... You will be glad you did!

[pj4]

that patch of extra material is on the last years and newer otters. i have the lodge and highly recomend it.the green were slightly darker inside.the otter seats are spendy, but well worth it.get a 10- 20 lbs tank and hose for heater and keep tank outside for extra floor space.( use with mr. heater)going to try the leds for light this year.iv'e made some removable holders for rods to attatch to the poles inside the shack. keeps them to the side and out of my way. works slick.