looking to buy - Ice Shanty

[GreenFinnyBlinny]

I am looking to buy an ice shanty big enough to put a cot in.

I spend about 5 days camping during hunting season and figured an ice shanty might be warmer and more weather resistant then a tent and get me out of sleeping in the back of my truck.

[Finnt]

I bought the eskimo 949i just for the same reason it works for one dude and a 80in cot and small folding table and heater. But when it rains hard the tent leaks at the stitching seams put a 10 x10 tarp over it and you are dry.

[GreenFinnyBlinny]

Thanks Finnt, I might just do that.

[FG Steve]

We camp in our QF6 about once each year, but only on the ice.

Might find some other shelter/cot combos in this thread:

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=325954.0

If there are two of you, go for the bunk bed cots.

[3300]

a floor is great to stay drier and warmer with less condensation. i'd use my shappell dx3000 but if i needed more room i'd get the shappell dx4000. i have two huge hub shelters, but would go for the cabin shelter instead for sleep. make a smitty sled if you go with a cabin shelter.

[4x4Dad]

I purchased a Eskimo QuickFish 5i last year . It would handle 2 cots , table , chairs and a heater . I have heard that if there is a chance of rain , that topping the shelters with a waterproof tarp works best . Also , with the removable windows , guys have had fiberglass welding mats made for running out a chimney and used a camp stove .

[4x4Dad]

Just another option , I bought a pair of zero gravity chairs for star gazing . They would make great recliner type beds and take up less room .

[Chris338378]

I have the Eskimo Fatfish 949i and like it a lot.  It's pretty warm even without a heater running, blocks the wind and light very well, and has replaceable windows in case you ever need to.   I haven't had any problems or issues with it and would definitely buy it again.  The only things I do different is I ratchet straps for tie downs because they don't come loose in the wind and I took the straps off an old life jacket and use them to cinch it tighter when I'm putting it back in the bag, since I started doing this there's a lot more room in the bag.  I think you'd like it and it'd work well for you.  As Finnt said if it's raining put a tarp over the top and you'll be water proof for sure.

[Rcott717]

Anyone have an Otter 2 man?  Reviews and durability?

[4x4Dad]

NOTE: Eskimo shelter storage bags are tough to get the insulated shelter ( back in ) at the end of the day .

I took my bag to a seamstress and had her install a Zipper the whole length of the bags seam . I now place the bag over the shelter and zip it up as I compact it with  my body and cinch straps . Works perfectly !

[FG Steve]

NOTE: Eskimo shelter storage bags are tough to get the insulated shelter ( back in ) at the end of the day .

I took my bag to a seamstress and had her install a Zipper the whole length of the bags seam . I now place the bag over the shelter and zip it up as I compact it with  my body and cinch straps . Works perfectly !

The zipper sounds handy.  However, I have never had difficulty getting my QF6 in the bag.  I am eager to try my usual methods with my new FF9416i.  I wonder if the insulated models are tougher...

[ice dawg]

My QF3i has a nice sized bag and came with a compression strap to squeeze it down a bit. I had to get a larger bag for my QF4 which was a tussle to try to get in the bag at day's end.

[4x4Dad]

For those that don't have the funds to pay for a seamstress , I originally was using a artificial Christmas Tree bag until the seamstress was done . The Christmas tree bag actually works really well .

[Chris338378]

NOTE: Eskimo shelter storage bags are tough to get the insulated shelter ( back in ) at the end of the day .

I took my bag to a seamstress and had her install a Zipper the whole length of the bags seam . I now place the bag over the shelter and zip it up as I compact it with  my body and cinch straps . Works perfectly !

That's why I use the straps from the life jacket to cinch it tighter, it made a big difference and gave lots of extra room in the bag.  Another option would be to use the ratchet straps or something similar to cinch it tighter.