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Otter Cabin - having 2nd thoughts.

mjk

By mjk
in Ice Fishing Minnesota

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mjk Collaborator

mjk

Posted
Posted

Hello,

 

Found a phenomenal deal on a new Cabin yesterday, and pulled the trigger.  Now, having humped that thing into the garage, I am having 2nd thoughts... It is going to sit in the box until next fall. 

 

Has anyone pulled a cabin by hand, and how was it?  I am planning on building a Smitty Sled, so that would change things.  Without the Smitty, though, is this thing a beast?  Another thought was to purchase a drag harness (I think Clam makes one), along with a 20' rope.  That should help.

 

Thoughts?

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Cliff Wagenbach Grand Master

Cliff Wagenbach

Posted
Posted

No fun pulling the Otter Cabin by hand!!

Smitty Sled and harness would certainly help unless you get into enough snow that you are dragging that to!

Always pulled my cabin with a wheeler or snow mobile or unloaded it from the truck at the spot.

Cliff

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AlwaysFishing23 Experienced

AlwaysFishing23

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Harness! I have the clam one and load my 1 man packed full of gear and it makes one heck of difference id try that first.

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rkpolaris Enthusiast

rkpolaris

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I have an otter cabin thermal, I don't think its too bad to pull by hand, however you wouldn't want to pull it more than a couple hundred yards with snow on the ice.

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AlwaysFishing23 Experienced

AlwaysFishing23

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Bare ice as most know is best or with an inch or less easy pulling then. As stated any more it can be a pain hand towing.

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Wanderer Grand Master

Wanderer

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Otters are meant to be towed by a machine if you're going far.  They're the ultimate traveling sled.  Lighter makes are better for "hand" dragging any distance.

 

Of course most of us could use the exercise...

 

I haven't looked at any commercial harnesses for dragging sleds but can imagine if the tie off is centered on your body it would make it easier.  I actually do pull a first generation otter sled with my gear when I walk out and can handle it OK.  It has more of a bull nose than the later models.  My rope is around 10 feet long though and I flip it over my head, around the back of my neck and then put arms over the rope so I'm pulling with my shoulders.  It's way easier than pulling by hand and keeps my hands free and comfortable.

 

I also like to have the ability to save myself from a face plant if I slip! :)

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leech~~ Grand Master

leech~~

Posted
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, mjk said:

Hello,

 

Found a phenomenal deal on a new Cabin yesterday, and pulled the trigger.  Now, having humped that thing into the garage, I am having 2nd thoughts... It is going to sit in the box until next fall.

 

Has anyone pulled a cabin by hand, and how was it?  I am planning on building a Smitty Sled, so that would change things.  Without the Smitty, though, is this thing a beast?  Another thought was to purchase a drag harness (I think Clam makes one), along with a 20' rope.  That should help.

 

Thoughts?

 

If you bought it new I would not wait until next fall to put it together and check it over. If there are any defects in it they will not do anything for you then as the warranty maybe up. :(

Edited by leech~~
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live4chrome Rising Star

live4chrome

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IT sucks! I have one in really good shape if anyone wants it. Otter xt650, 450$.

Excelent fish house, just too heavy to pull by hand.

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Borch Grand Master

Borch

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I'm old and fat and have hauled a otter lodge thermal by hand for 1/4 mile.  If you add hyfax it pulls easy as long as the snow's not deep.  Loading it into the truck is another story though.

 

 

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mjk Collaborator

mjk

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I appreciate the input.  I need to think about this a bit.  However, if there is local interest (Twin Cities), I might be able to get you in a Cabin for a good deal.  Please feel free to PM me to discuss..

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mjk Collaborator

mjk

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If anyone is interested, I am going to throw this out here for $500.00.  It is in the box, unopened.  Else, I am going to return it to the store.

 

Feel free to PM me today to discuss....

 

I am in Golden Valley.

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buck1429 Newbie

buck1429

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I add down hill skis to the bottom of my otter cabin and it pulls a lot easier. I put the front of the skis against the curve of the otter and stainless steel bolt them to it. I counter set the bolt heads and fill with silicone.

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magicstix Enthusiast

magicstix

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mjk, I have an otter that's 20 years old and one reason I have not upgraded is because with nicer features, fabric etc they've gotten heavier. I do a bit of walking and they can be a bear as I age it doesn't get any easier. Yes they are the most durable and they work great for pulling with sled or atv as others have stated. I tried a smitty sled for a bit, it did help but now I couldn't fit both pieces in back of my vehicle very well. What I've done is minimize my load, no extras, 1lb cylinders, etc. if it's bare ice great on go the cleats. If we get a bunch of snow I'll wait for a few days for it to settle and get a trail out there. I've also bought the clam scout because it's the lightest and pulls like a dream,  even thru 10" of snow. It's just a little tight in there and takes some getting used to. Some of the older clams were very light also. IMO if your walking the older clams are a good fit, if going sled atv route then a otter or clam x2, etc. Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

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