Green Light for NEW Portable! Need Experienced Opinions...

[Dellfin]

Going to be laid off in February...money tight...wonderful, supportive wife said (after 20 years with the same company) I've earned some time to play and to get myself a portable. Seeing as how I may have some spare time on my hands while I look for work, I'm going to take the plunge.

So, today we went to Canvas Craft and Cabela's to do some shanty shopping. Looked at the Canvas Craft (CC) brand, Frabill, Clam. My desire is for a 2-3 man flip-over with the insulated fabric. Looking to spend no more than 800 bucks fully equipped, but I see that with a couple of seats and a cover, I may exceed that.

- Since CC makes the fabric for Frabill they look like a wash except for the size and stability of the poles and hardware and craftsmanship. (CC seems to have the advantage there.)

- Wasn't real impressed with the Clam stuff and seemed too pricey.

- Thinking about taking a drive out to see the Otter Outdoor folks in Maple Lake to see their stuff. (Do they have a retail store there???)

Leaning heavily towards the CC but would appreciate experience from those who have a CC shack. Not opposed to hearing other opinions from those with other brands as well.

Sorry if this topic has been beaten to death, but I'm looking for words of wisdom from those who have "been there-done that" before investing in something that I hope will last many years. Concerned about pulling the wrong trigger considering the upcoming employment situation and the fact that I'm a cheapskate by nature.

Thanks folks.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Canvas Craft insulated fabric is the best. It's amazing how much brighter it is inside the shack, how warm it is, and no sweating.

Otter makes the best tub on the market, hands down, no comparison. The square tubing is strong and doesn't shake the junk out of you in the wind. The newer plastic tips and inserts make the poles much easier to slide.

I don't know if there is a portable shanty I have not seen or used. If it were me making the buy, I'd go with the Canvas Craft shell on an Otter lodge tub. Seriously.

My second choice would be the Otter Lodge.

[Sandmannd]

I love the Otter flip overs. You can also look for used ones on here and C-list and see what you can find. There are a lot in great condition for sale. I think you are on the right path with CC and Otter. My advice is to get the biggest you can afford and can fit in your vehicle. Three man's are nice and get it tall enough so you can stand it. Just much nicer. I don't care for the bench seats myself, I would rather mod it and put seats in or get the seats that clamp across them. Get hyfax on it as well. Are you pulling by hand or with a wheeler or sled? If mainly by hand then go smaller as weight will be an issue.

[Dellfin]

I expect I'll be pulling by snowmobile or 4-wheeler most of the time.

Also, durability of the sled is pretty key. I take 1-2 annual trips with buddies up to LOW and want something that can take the 40-50MPH these maniacs need to go pulling sleds behind their snowmobiles.

Thanks for the tips and confirmation that CC is a good choice. I'll look forward to more comments.

[croixflats]

I can only give you an opinion on the Canvas Craft. The shell fabric along with the norpac2 insullation best way to go. I have the 8x8 northlander and the tent is light, at most it ways 25# at least thats what it felt like when folded up carrying it in one arm. Like its been said its warm and doesnt take much light to keep it bright and its tough and keeps the wind out.

They are also really nice people to work with.

[Fredd]

Otter for me. Best tub and great fabric, hyfax runners make them easy to pull and long lasting.

[Cherryman]

Dellfin,

I looked long and hard at the St. Paul ice show. I bought the Otter Lodge, the

closer for me was the new seats in the Otter. The support runs the long way

in the sled. The price was better and it is a sharp unit.

The best point of the CC was the awesome insulation, but old style otter seats.

These are both great portables.

[harvey lee]

Otter has a great product from the bottom up and great customer service. They do not have a showroom per say but if you were to call them, they may have a few sitting around set up.

I personally have owned numerous different brands and I don't know if you can beat a Otter product.

Now, If we are talking a insulated portable, this is where Canva s Craft shines. A great product from top to bottom also. Matty and Ben at the Rogers office are also very good to work with if you were to have a customer service issue.

I guess it comes down to the fabric or insulated skin. The insulated one has a white iterior ands ia easy to light up. It is also very easy to heat.

In my mind, these are the two premium portables on the market today.

Just a matter of what skin you want, insulated or not.

[Chef]

The insulated fabric is very attractive; however, if you're towing behind a wheeler or sled and you're on soft or wet snow and there's slush below the snow you will get bogged down and you will get stuck. Probably numerous times in one outing. This winter's snow conditions are proving to be the most challenging I've ever experienced.

If you add your gear weight to an already heavy portable (cover) the weight will exceed 120lbs. when you add Hyfax,seats, Gas Auger, heater, bait bucket, food, rods/reels, shovel, etc.

I've been an Otter-only person after trying all the other models on the market.

[Sandmannd]

I believe otter has the best tub in the portable market.

[7outof10]

i have the clam x2 and i love it but i wish i would of got the insulated one .....but the x2 tub has a really good tub on it to

[Dave]

The insulated fabric is very attractive; however, if you're towing behind a wheeler or sled and you're on soft or wet snow and there's slush below the snow you will get bogged down and you will get stuck. Probably numerous times in one outing. This winter's snow conditions are proving to be the most challenging I've ever experienced.

If you add your gear weight to an already heavy portable (cover) the weight will exceed 120lbs. when you add Hyfax,seats, Gas Auger, heater, bait bucket, food, rods/reels, shovel, etc.

I've been an Otter-only person after trying all the other models on the market.

Are you saying the insulated Norpac canvas is adding too much weight, which will create getting stuck more often? It's adding only 5-7 pounds! Not a possible consideration, IMO, to contribute to boggying down in slush and provides a lot more benefits to comfort out on the ice.

[leotard]

I had the thermal X trap and sold it for the X2 casue it was hard to pull. x2 much easier and just as warm with that flap on the inside

[Dellfin]

Thanks for all the comments and info. Looks like it's the Canvas Craft.

"Cherryman" offered a comment above that the new Otter houses had a new seating support system that ran the length of the sled. Anyone know any reason why that couldn't be added to a Canvas Craft unit since they use Otter sleds?

[Dave]

I'm not positive but, Otter's new seating support system, that runs from front to back may be for the Team Wild sleds only. It'd be best to call Otter and ask. Otherwise, anything Otter has for the Otter Sled will work with a CC shelter.

[Sandmannd]

Was at FF today and that had some nice ones with some good deals. Two and three man ones.