Advice on a Clam 5600

[Tom7227]

I have a chance to buy a new Clam 5600 at a good price. I haven't seen it, just looked at the ad on line. What do owners think of it? I read some stuff on here and it looks like there are mixed feelings about a suitcase style house vs a tub sled type rig. Those tub ones seem nice but the weight gets up there pretty fast. The 5600 doesn't seem to have any chairs in it and hauling equipment may be cumbersome. How do you deal with those things?

I have an older Otter Lodge that is a 4 person rig with a bench seat. Problem is that it weighs so much I can't really get it into the truck myslef. It is used and I'm thinking I may get rid of it as at most I normally fish with only one other person.

Thanks for your time and opinions.

Tom

[Northlander]

Sell the lodge and get a cabin. The suitcase styles are a pain unless you drive everyplace you fish.

[dougr1969]

Just got done fishing with my wife and my daughter in our 5600. For two adults I think the Clam 5600 is a great house. I would venture to say it would be a little tough to pull through the snow by hand. Great for driving out. TOUGH to fish out of when its really windy.Over all we are happy with the 5600. It has earned a place in our garage. Good luck.

[MNMUSKIES]

I have fished out of one of these for the last 3 winters. I bought a sled to get all of my gear out. If you do not have much snow on the ice it's easy to pull. But man if there is fresh snow down it's a pain to pull out. Once the house is set up I really like it. I like it to fish out of better than the flip over ones. I bought this one because of the floor and taking my youngest son out fishing. He just turned 7. This house is a 2 person house. I don't think it is too bad to set up, granted it's not as easy as a flip over, but I can get it set up pretty quick. As far as fishing in the wind, I got a couple of the tie downs for it. Basically it's two screws that I put in the corner of the holes and your all set. I am going to be selling mine, and down sizing to a one man. The only reason I'll be selling mine is because I just got a 6 X 8 perm to take my kids out fishing. I don't take them out till I can drive out any way. If I didn't get this perm I would keep it. Yes they do have some neg points but over all I like it.

[wheres the fish?]

I have both a 5600 and a 6800... I love them!

[516]

I have a 6800 and a trap guide love them both. Had a 5600 was good for 2 guys.

[BobT]

I like my 5600. I don't drag mine out. I have a small utility trailer that I keep all my gear on and pull it out with my ATV or truck depending on conditions. That way, when I'm ready to go fishing, I just hook my truck to the trailer and go.

I don't have any problem with the wind although I haven't had mine long enough to test it in a wind with no snow on the ice.

As far as seating, I picked up a couple of small folding chairs. I just fold them up and leave them inside the suitcase.

Bob

[Tom7227]

Well I just scored a Clam Yukon for $350 at the Forest Lake GM. Hard to beat that one and the suitcase rig seemed like it just didn't fit the bill.

Thanks for the advice.

Tom

[Northlander]

You will be glad you did. Nice find.

[Tom7227]

The salesman said they had a stack of them if anyone is insterested. That's $200 off the regular retail price.