New one man flip over shelter for 2016-17

[bigfish54]

Hello out there, now that the ice season has come to an end I'm looking into the next season. I'm looking to replace my frabill recon deluxe and upgrade to a new one man flip. I'm just looking for some input for what's out there. I'm considering all the major brands clam,frabill and otter. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks big fish

[hardwater diehard]

Best advice I can give you is to go to each manufacturers website...YouTube and Face Book  sites ...after seeing whats out there .. use the Ice Shanty search for each particular make/model ...lota new innovative design features came into production in the last couple of years ...side entry...hub/flip combos ...Otter one man .2016/2017 models will start being "leaked" around August or September ...deals are few and far between during the Spring/Summer but you can come across some ...beware some are clearance and return policies vary so buyers remorse may come into play . Good Luck with your search.

[bigfish54]

Thanks for the info I will do some more research and make an educated decision before the season.

[staggerin]

I highly recommend the otter

[Old Goat]

depends how you travel pulling it or dragging by a machine atv etc.

[bigfish54]

Definitely dragging 

[Old Goat]

if your dragging it by yourself the height of it folded down and the weight should be considered. Height should be low for trunks and clearance for smaller trucks with lids. Weight goes from less than 20 lbs. to near a 100 lbs. if you go with a heavy one add a smitty sled to lift it up off the ice for dragging ease and saving wear and tear on the sled. width is next consideration and thermal top or not. then seat ? and mods of course.       good luck with whatever you get they are  nice quick and mobile

[Monticatgeek]

All I can say is don't jump then gun on getting a new house as there is going to be new models coming out alone with the ones already on the market. I will give you more info after August 25th as to what is new this year from Clam in one man houses but can't say anything until then.

[Spider1]

no matter what one you get, make it a thermal top. It adds a little weight but you will be happy you have it. If you have clear ice or just a little snow, the added weight won't be a factor. If there's more snow and it drags you down, put it on a smitty and pull away!

[3300]

many of us enjoy shappells fx100. new and improved last season after another company bought them. lightest there is and heavy duty 600d fabric. 37#'s, used to be 28#. they made the sled much thicker because it was collapsing in the corners and the new sliding bench seat uses a big/heavy conduit. the seams have been closed up too, but not water proof.
i am on my second and sold my first one (180$ used) to get the upgraded version last season. would buy another if they can make it even better.

here's the whats new on clam so far
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=333251.msg3529312;topicseen#new

[gonehunting]

If clam makes the XL4000T hub in black they will hit a home run.  We've been waiting for a portable spear house with limited light.

[maddogg]

I really like my Eskimo Wide One. They have some nice hub units also.

http://www.geteskimo.com/wide1-inferno-flip-style-shelter

[wiel0059]

I really like my Eskimo Wide One. They have some nice hub units also.

http://www.geteskimo.com/wide1-inferno-flip-style-shelter

I'd 2nd this as a great option, from experience. Mine went with every trip last season (ATV pulled about 80% of the time - drug the other 20% for reference). I don't have any complaints. Very room, much warmer than expected with insulated fabric, and the seat was comfy for me when sitting in them in the store which led to purchase.

[holehopper]

I've owned a few different 1 man shelters and would definitely vote for the insulated fabric.  You add a little weight but they are really nice on a windy day.  If you are in a smaller 1 man shack and the sides are whipping and flapping, it can get really obnoxious inside the shack.  Insulated fabric takes care of that and of course adds some heat retention too.  I personally have a Clam Big Mouth which is Clam's version of the Eskimo Wide 1 and I've really been happy with it. 

[filetandrelease]

I agree completely about the thermal units l I have 2 thermal , an 08 , X2 which 2 years I ordered a thermal top for it , and a Kenai pro thermal , the new Kenai thermal is black , I purchased 1 last year which is the  fractured ice model and I'm very pleased with it ,

[tjacob]

Last fall I bought a Frabil Recruit and have no regrets. Roomy, full thermal and pretty comfortable seating. I just wish someone would make a quality one-man model tall enough to stand up in. Have owned Clam, Shappell, Otter and a couple off brands I prefer the Frabil. Last one was an Otter cabin with thermal top which did nothing to minimize dripping and was very heavy.  Good quality, but like dragging a box of rocks around. Good luck with your decision.

[hardwater diehard]

Last fall I bought a Frabil Recruit and have no regrets. Roomy, full thermal and pretty comfortable seating. I just wish someone would make a quality one-man model tall enough to stand up in. Have owned Clam, Shappell, Otter and a couple off brands I prefer the Frabil. Last one was an Otter cabin with thermal top which did nothing to minimize dripping and was very heavy.  Good quality, but like dragging a box of rocks around. Good luck with your decision.

Is there a wind break position on your recruit ?

[tjacob]

No windbreak position.

[holehopper]

Last fall I bought a Frabil Recruit and have no regrets. Roomy, full thermal and pretty comfortable seating. I just wish someone would make a quality one-man model tall enough to stand up in. Have owned Clam, Shappell, Otter and a couple off brands I prefer the Frabil. Last one was an Otter cabin with thermal top which did nothing to minimize dripping and was very heavy.  Good quality, but like dragging a box of rocks around. Good luck with your decision.

The only downside to a unit this tall would be that it would definitely catch the wind.  With a pretty small footprint and a lot of wind surface, you start asking for trouble.  I find in my 1 man that if I need to stand up, it is probably time to move anyways.  That's the beauty of these small shacks, you flip them open and move to the next spot very easily.  Just make sure that you get one with a door.  Nothing worse than getting yourself all banked in and then you have to flip open to get out.  The door is key.  I think most all of them have a door now, but I wouldn't buy one that didn't have a door.  I think at one time I owned a Frabill Recon and had a door sewn into it. 

[river rat78]

The only downside to a unit this tall would be that it would definitely catch the wind.  With a pretty small footprint and a lot of wind surface, you start asking for trouble.  I find in my 1 man that if I need to stand up, it is probably time to move anyways.  That's the beauty of these small shacks, you flip them open and move to the next spot very easily.  Just make sure that you get one with a door.  Nothing worse than getting yourself all banked in and then you have to flip open to get out.  The door is key.  I think most all of them have a door now, but I wouldn't buy one that didn't have a door.  I think at one time I owned a Frabill Recon and had a door sewn into it.

Don't forget all the added weight added to it just to be able to stand up.

[tjacob]

The only downside to a unit this tall would be that it would definitely catch the wind.  With a pretty small footprint and a lot of wind surface, you start asking for trouble.  I find in my 1 man that if I need to stand up, it is probably time to move anyways.  That's the beauty of these small shacks, you flip them open and move to the next spot very easily.  Just make sure that you get one with a door.  Nothing worse than getting yourself all banked in and then you have to flip open to get out.  The door is key.  I think most all of them have a door now, but I wouldn't buy one that didn't have a door.  I think at one time I owned a Frabill Recon and had a door sewn into it.

Pretty much any structure will catch wind and a couple inches would make little difference in the amount of wind caught or the weight. When I was young sitting in an original Clam scout for hours was not a problem, but as age gets the better of me a stretch once in a while is needed. I totally agree the small shacks are great for mobility. That little scout was great for packing up and moving quickly. When moving that often I found little need for a door as I never banked it. So far no perfect shack for all people or conditions, but they are working on it.

[filetandrelease]

At 60 i have some issues with my back , and a  stretch is needed , part of the problem is the height of the seat ,if its to low causes one to hump over, , and making anchors is simple and inexpensive,  I spend 40  to 50 hours a week on the ice so comfort and durability are at the top of my list , but of course I'm not very tall at 5'9 so shacks like the Kenai pro meets my needs in many ways , so when shopping for shacks I need to set in them and give them a hard look ,I'm not brand loyal over the years I have also owned frabils , and I think otter makes a fine product , in my area those are the top 3 sellers , and with a smitty sled weight really isn't an issue , but i do try and keep my walk out under  a mile these days 

[Jeffh129]

I too am loving my Shappell FX 100. Lightest single man out there at 37 pounds. The front section is flaired out so it's wider than most in the actual fishing area.

[Gillgrabber]

I would wait until the St. Paul or Milwaukee Ice fishing shows.   Go see the new models and find something you like.  It's hard to beat getting the chance to see, handle, and sit in one before making a purchase. 

[Team_Reload]

I too am loving my Shappell FX 100. Lightest single man out there at 37 pounds. The front section is flaired out so it's wider than most in the actual fishing area.

Clam will have a new 1 man flip over that is less than that once the 25th of this month comes

[filetandrelease]

 few extra lbs isn't really a big deal, when a smitty sled makes things so much easier, here is one of mine, aluminum frame and HDPE skis, my other one is wood frame and plain ol wooden skis, there is a whole thread on them , started by SMITTY , sorry guys for some reason on the computer the pic is fine but on the phones its upside down lol   

[SLAYERFISH]

few extra lbs isn't really a big deal

I must disagree. No matter what kinda smitty you use, what about deep snow? Or if ya gotta pull it up a hill to get to the lake?  Aint flat out here in Colorado. Also have altitude to deal with. Pulling a heavy flip-over thru knee deep snow at 8000 ft. elevation is gonna suck.

[filetandrelease]

Well slayer fish I guess your the exception to the rule , first I most likely would pass out at 8,000', but far as dragging through deep snow , deepest I have drag it through was around 20"of snow with 5" of slush underneath and it saved my butt ,I drag a lot of crap out , it might help at least some of us older gents that don't have to mountain goat to their spots 

[Ice Scratcher]

Clam will have a new 1 man flip over that is less than that once the 25th of this month comes

I've already seen it.. You have to add your own seat. The sides of the sled taper down towards the back which is really low, looked like 5 inches at best..

I doubt the tarp will be 600 for the top and sides like the FX100, and I don't think it has a door either..

Seems like a lot of sacrifices to end up a couple pounds lighter, and I'm sure it will cost plenty more than the FX100 too...

Just my thoughts...

<°)))>{

[Team_Reload]

I've already seen it.. You have to add your own seat. The sides of the sled taper down towards the back which is really low, looked like 5 inches at best..

Original price I seen before the page was taken down was $249. Don't remember fabric weight..

I doubt the tarp will be 600 for the top and sides like the FX100, and I don't think it has a door either..

Seems like a lot of sacrifices to end up a couple pounds lighter, and I'm sure it will cost plenty more than the FX100 too...

Just my thoughts...

<°)))>{