which portable?

[zelek]

It would be interesting to hear a little input about the pros and cons of the portables with the fully molded floor vs. the flip over style. <P>I like the idea of the towing ability and storage capacity of the flip over style (like the frabil rangers), but was wondering if the exposed ice on the floor is a hassle when it's set up. I imagine it gets pretty wet without covering it with something.<P>

[RiverDrew]

I would definitely suggest an Polar Sport or Otter sled type house. The sled type houses are easy to move around, quick to set up, and can carry all (or most of) you equipment right inside, which is very handy for early season fishing w/ sleds or atv's, and for moving around on the lake. Last year I bought an Eskimo quickflip 3, which suited me alright for the price I paid. This year i purchased a new Polar sport 4-man, which flips open on both sides of the sled, and 4 people can fish back to back. Polar Sport houses are very strong and durable in both the sled itself and the tent fabric. I've heard the same about the Otter's. Fishing with a heater all day long, you can get water on the ice (slippery) inside the tent, but nothing troublesome. You can avoid this by leaving a bit of snow on the ice and by elevating your heater (ie: on top of 20lb tank or sitting up on something) or by using some sort of flooring. 3 of my buddies have built foldable plywood floors (carpeted) for their Polar tents with 4 10" holes cut in them. Those are very handy, and solve all water/slipping problems. Sled type houses are typically heavier than the folding style, but they are well built and hold up better overall, and in the wind out on the ice I've found. In purchasing a shelter, make sure to check the fabric thickness, and the durability of the sled and tent poles. In comparison, many will agree that the Polar Sport and Otter tents are the best out there now, but also the most expensive. You really get what you pay for, and if you're looking to have a tent for a long time, just pay for it up front.

[walley]

I have sat in a flip style all day before and it is not much fun, no standing, cooking etc, but for short stays and for moving it is great. On lake of the Woods when fish are found you may sit all day in one spot then it gets old in my opinion. Also if it says two person it really is one, three person, two etc. Two full size men take up space. <BR>I have a 6x8 with a wood floor, which is heavier but not slippery, I can stand inside without hitting the top and I am 6'2" it is great for all day fishing and bringing younger children.<P>Just my thoughts

[WCT]

One more solution to the wet ice creating slippery conditions is a coffee can or other similar resealable container full of sand to scatter under foot. Works for me. LOL<BR> Ol Sneller

[pickerel hunter]

Go with the flip style. I have eye-ballin a flip style for 4 years now and finally bought one. Best purchase this year. Eskimo flip style would be a consideration. I have a flip style like the Eskimo and it works awesome. Only draw back is melting the ice underfoot, gets slick but a piece of carpet, huh. I will be doing that from now on. Depending how many your fishing 2 or more people make sure to get a three person house. ADs for the eskimo 3 person for $300 bones at Mills Fleet. 2 Cents

[boener]

I have a 6x8 clam and the floor isnt one bit slippery....I put carpet in it. All I did was screw the carpet down in all corners and it works like a charm.

[bturck]

I have a Clam Voyegeur (3 Man) I went to Menards and got a piece of rubber matting that you would use at your doorstep at home to wipe your feet. It works great, lays in the bottom of the sled really nice and if it gets wet it doesn't freeze into a solid mass. I tried the carpet the first year and then changed to the rubber. Bill

[irvingdog]

I can't believe the "slippery floor" chatter!!!!<P>My last house was a 5X6 clam and I used to sleep in it on Mille Lacs. I put a foil blanket on the inside over the ceiling pipes, and used a Heat Buddy heater. A six foot cot and a good quality bag rounded out the gear. But for the floors, has anyone heard of a squeegee? (sp?) It worked great! I'd go in stocking feet all day long in it. <P><BR>Then I decided it was time to stop camping and start fishing, so I now fish with a flip style!

[Labby]

I have an Otter and i love it. The only drawback is when there is little snow and it is windy. I have a chunk of old outdoor carpet that I will lay down if we are going to be in 1 place for a long time. Ex LOTW<BR>

[1tofish]

I own a Frabil Ranger. I love it. Like you said being able to carry everything in the sled is great. The wet ice, is not a problem if you don't shovel all the snow away. When you set up on bare ice then of course it's going to get slippery. I carry a pair of slip-on ice spikes that I use if that is the problem. I don't care for the suitcase style portables. Not very freindly for towing things around, and those floors can get very slippery, and noisey, when wet and cold. The flip-over style has my vote.

[Eastwind]

I have owned "Suitcase Style" 5'X6' Clam for ten years. The floor inside gets very slippery with snow, ice and water on it. Although the Clam sets up pretty fast I was envious of my friend that was fishing in a Frabil Ranger last winter. We were fishing Lake Trout and mobility was important. The flip over styles not only help you move from spot to spot faster but also speed things up when you are trying to fish several different holes in the same general area. With traditional portables you need to line up your holes to the footprint of the floor you have. Only one or a few holes side by side are need for a flip style. I will be buying a Frabill Ranger or Otter next Fall.<P>

[Hammer-Smites]

The sled types are nice. You do get a little a water on the ice, but it's not that big of a deal and the carpet chunk is a good idea (I'll have to give it a try).<BR>I have an Otter Magnum and love it. Customer service is good too as I had an issue with it originally and they replaced it - no questions asked.<BR>Another one to think about it the Eskimo Quick Flip III. It's about $150 cheaper than the Otter for the same size shack and it's really nice - heavy canvas, well built. If I had to do it over again, I may have gone with the Eskimo and saved the money. A fully loaded Otter Magnum with seat, cover, and hitch is about $610. The equally equipped Eskimo is about $450.<BR>There's my $.02.

[vexilarkid]

I agree with Eastwind I have both a 5X6 clam and a 6X8 and the floors do get very slippery. My next portable will definately be a flip over style, probably a frabill. Just a thought.

[widetrack]

Has anyone used the double wide polarsport?<BR>Man is that thing huge! I seen one with benches facing opposite each other... it is awesome.<P>I think I'll be needing one of these!<P>My otter's maybe for sale shortly.

[#Boater#]

Irvingdog,<BR>Thanks for that Clam you used to camp in. You showed me your set up and looked great but I never slept in it. Just fished. I just sold it to a buddy and just bought a Quickflip III. The Clam is great quality but foung if it's not on level ice, it wouldn't set up right. The cross poles wouldn't fit together and when I set it up on snow the floor would split apart. Not complaining about the house you sold me. I feel you gave me a great deal and was very happy with it, just pointing out some flaws. Thanks again Irvingdog.

[Bushwacker]

I have both a Clam 6800(suitcase) and an Otter Magnum Lodge(flip-over). I fish in the Otter 98% of the time. It is so much easier to set up and carry gear in. My Clam fits 4 people so if we have a big group I use that one, but it has no cargo space, if really cold on a windy day, and is a lot more difficult to set up. I would recommend a flip over type hands down. I just put the hyfax runner kit on my Otter sled and it pulls like a dream, even fully loaded. Another thing to consider when buying a house.

[Dr. Bob]

I just bought a Polar Sport 4 Man with all the bells and whistles . It has the back to back swivel seats. I removed one seat off of each side because most of the time I only fish with on other person. I replaced the seats with wooden trays - 18x20 - with a small lip around the sides to keep stuff from falling off. It will be great to have a place to set my tackle box, coffee cup ect. <P>I can't wait! My son and I are trying it out on Friday on the Big Pond.<P>Widetrack - Otters sell fast. I listed mine here (classifieds) and it went in under and hour.<P>

[hanson]

I know we're talking about houses here but with the slippery floor thing. Pick up an Absorber car chamois. Those things suck water up like you wouldn't believe. The one I have is probably 7-8 years old now and still works great. Wipe the floor down a couple times, you're good to go!!

[Walleye Wacker]

Flip overs are handy and allow you to move quickly to follow the fish. I actually bought a cheap Shappell 2000 small 2 man portable and it sets up in 3 mins does a better job keeping the wind off me and my feet off the ice. Spent 2 days on Devils lake in it with a friend. -40 windchill and had my coat off with a small heater.

[Northlander]

I use a piece of rubber matting that fits on the bottom of my sled when traveling. It keeps buckets etc. from sliding. Then when I set up it goes under my feet. Keeps them warmer and no slipping around. Carpet works too but absorbs water.

[widetrack]

Dr Bob,<P>Let me know how you like the polar, I'm thinking seriously about a double flip.<P>Hope you have a good trip. I'll be fishing Thursday-Sunday as well.

[Dr. Bob]

Widetrack,<P>Are you going to be in the Pine Island area?<P>Maybe you could swing by and check it out for yourself. I have had it set up a couple of times at home and I know I am going to love it!

[widetrack]

Dr,<P>Thanks for the offer, but I'll be out on the rocks, and a long way from pine.<P>Hope your house works well, It sure looks like a dandy.

[widetrack]

.<p>[This message has been edited by widetrack (edited 12-23-2003).]

[duckbuster]

Is the ice ok out on the rocks?

[zelek]

Here's a big "thank you" to all you folks who shared your thoughts on this topic. <P>I'd take this kind of feedback any day over slick marketing tactics by in-store salesmen. <P><BR>

[LABS4ME]

Go with the flip style for sure...go with one you can stand in and has a tough sled if you are going to be pulling it. I've owned fish traps..O.K. sled to shallow, couldn't stand in mine...Frabill, O.K. pain to put together, 2 piece sled (not sure of longevity pulling), couldn't stand up. Polar was my favorite, downside was pulling it by hand...heavy. Was looking to buy a polar sport double flip this season (loved my 2 man), talked my buddy into one last season and he loves it. Only draw back I could find was on really cold days it does need 2 heaters. We bring a black cat 4500 BTU for one side just to help out with the heat from ice to sled hieght (doesn't take up much space), and a Mr. Heater cooker heater for the other (heats the majority of the space). Well I went to the ice fishing show and ended up with Canvas crafts double flip...The new insulated fabric model. I really think having the quilted fabric will make a difference. I'm hoping I only have to haul one heater. Didn't cost me any more than a standard fabric polar or otter skin as I bought the floor model at the show. Got a heck of a deal on the house, cover, hitch, seats and hyfax. I also like the fact that canvas craft uses steel conduit for poles as opposed to aluminum...no sticking sliding up or down! Was going to give the new house a shot this weekend but sick kids ended that. I am a believer for sure in Polar products and I'm hoping I'll love the canvas craft as much...<P>Good Luck in your search....<P>Ken

[CabinBoy]

I've got an Otter Cabin and am very happy with it. Perfect for one guy but may be a little crowded for 2. Easy to put togeter and very durable - well worth the extra $$. My dad bought the Eskimo Quickflip III - seems to be a very nice sled for the money. A little more time to put together than the Otter and the sled isn't near as high quality, but overall, not a bad house and I know they have made several improvements. The flipovers are sure tought to beat nowdays.