Clam vs Frabill

[Joe Holicky]

Hoping you guys can help me out. I'm in the market for a new portable and cant decide on the Clam2000 or the frabill Refuge. So if anyone has one or the other let me know what you think thanks.

[RockinHerda]

Between those 2 I'd say clam. I personally own am otter outdoors pro thermal resort and wouldn't want anything else. When people look in they are shocked by its size and warmth. Best house I ever bought

[mosquitoman]

I currently own one of each right now. I have a sled style frabill guardian and a hub style clam Bigfoot xl2000. I have previously owed clam sled style flip over houses but I like my guardian much better. As for the hub style pop up shelters this is my first..... But for the size (7.5x7.5') and price ($229 new) I found it hard to consider other brands.

But both frabill and clam make high quality products and I think it all comes down to personal preference (and whether you like black or blue better). It's like he age old ford/chevy, vexilar/marcum, jiffy/strikemaster debates...... Find a store that has both on display and spend a few minutes sitting in each and then get on the ice!

[Joe Holicky]

Thanks for the info mosquitoman, the only problem I have is I cant find a store with the frabill on the floor. One more question do either of them get condensation on the inside walls?

[RockinHerda]

I know my otter gets zero condensation. Can't say for the others as I don't know

[Morgs]

I just did this same dance a couple month ago. A couple of the things I looked at was the was the size of the sled. Fishable space. And, total weight.

If you end up buying from Scheels. Do a bunch of research online and find the best price on the house you want. Scheels will price match it. Minus and shipping costs.

[mosquitoman]

Any thermal shelter will get less condensation on the inside. With most shelters having vents built in it has reduced it quite a bit in my opinion. But it all depends on the temperature outside your house compared to the temp inside. Condensation can and will always occur at some point, non thermal houses just have a thinner barrier between the temperature differences and show the condensation a lot sooner. The condensation I have seen in my houses has never had a negative impact on any fishing trip I have taken so I could not justify the extra weight and $ of the thermal. Again it's all personal preference!

[fisherman-andy]

Hoping you guys can help me out. I'm in the market for a new portable and cant decide on the Clam2000 or the frabill Refuge. So if anyone has one or the other let me know what you think thanks.

If this was past I would say the Clam 2000 was JUNK! I own one from 4-5 years ago. The way the fabric was attached to the molded plastic base floor was by screws that had no nuts. So the screws would wear and loose as well as the base itself become all deformed.

However earlier last month I looked at a current model Clam 2000 and was surprised that the quality was a lot better as with all Clam products this year.

I also had seen the Frabill refuge and that it was solid too. At this point the base of the Clam feels a little more sturdier however I like the design of the Frabill refuge better. Its base feels nicer and the flip out covers appears to be easier to open.

Its best if you just go out and examined both cabins before you make up your mind about a purchase.