Have Pics Now...Used Otter....Good Deal?

[smitty0312]

I seen a 3-man Otter Lodge flip-over on craigslist....$350obo.....Green canvas....insulated... looks to be in great shape.... also has cover, owner said he had $1000+ invested......it's got me thinking, how-ever I don't really need a 3-man, how heavy are these? I will be myself quite often, need to put in back of my truck, I don't want a back breaker,  I will put it on my smitty sled on the ice.Thanks Smitty

[openingact]

Otters are heavy duty, but with that heavy duty structure comes weight. I only have experience with the 1 and 2 man models and they are a beast to pull if there is much snow out. On limited snow pack and a good harness they're ok. However, for a 3 man, by yourself, you'll probably need something to help you unload and load it due to the weight. And if you get snow I'm sure it'll be a pain. I've tried waxes to make it easier to pull and only had limited success.

[BaitBucket]

The 2-3man Otters are around 125lbs empty.

[CrappieGuy]

I did not think the Green Canvas ones were insulated unless he did it.   Make a Smitty Sled if you plan on pulling it by hand.

[BaitBucket]

I did not think the Green Canvas ones were insulated unless he did it.   Make a Smitty Sled if you plan on pulling it by hand.

Lol @ telling the guy who invented the smitty sled to make a smitty sled.

[PaperMouthPersuer]

 I would invest in something smaller if  I were you...

[openingact]

Lol @ telling the guy who invented the smitty sled to make a smitty sled.

 


I would have probably missed that as well.

[Yooper350]

We run a black 3 man otter with uninsulated sides.  I keep all my gear except the auger in the sled and unload and load it into the truck myself most of the time.  We usually pull it with a quad or old snowmobile so its not an issue getting it around.  We make one 2 mile pull a year by hand without a smitty sled and its a chore but doable.  We also do some other 1/2 to 3/4 mile pulls early before we take transportation on the ice.  I think a smitty sled would really make pulling the shack a pretty easy task.  If I didn't have a quad or sled to pull it I would think about how far I venture from the access points but for our setup and fishing style its my favorite portable we've ever had.

[BLUJBURD]

Shoot take a chance check it out heck I would, wouldn't take much to make a ramp out of some 2x6's and slide the beast up into the truck. 

[FISHFORPIKE]

That sounds like a good deal.  I think the 125 lbs. figure is close.  Otter lists the newest Lodge at 124lbs.  I have a Cabin (insulated) at 108lbs. (empty) and I load it on my trailer alone.  Sometimes in the back of the pickup.  I unload everything from it first though.

[smitty0312]

Lol @ telling the guy who invented the smitty sled to make a smitty sled.

LOL

[bean counter]

LOL

smitty0312 - If you need directions on how to make one you could do a search on the site!  LOL  just kidding  - the smitty sled is awesome!

[CrappieGuy]

You guys have no sense of humor!!!

[Svengalli]

You guys have no sense of humor!!!

I don't know, I thought it was funny either way.

[openingact]

You guys have no sense of humor!!!

Oh boy... here comes the cover up

[Rebelss]

Lol @ telling the guy who invented the smitty sled to make a smitty sled.

 

[jumbo chaser]

I have a big two man clam I have no problems with the weight if its in great shape it would be great buy just my 2 cents

[Caseman]

Lol @ telling the guy who invented the smitty sled to make a smitty sled.

Lol awesome. I too missed it.

[smitty0312]

Well....I emailed the owner....he says it weighs around 80lbs......do you think he is pulling my leg? It is around 6yrs old. Tow bar included which I wouldn't use. Here's some pics of it.

[DLB]

That bench looks like it would weigh quite a bit and the tarp looks like the material a tent I have which is heavy duty and weighs a ton.  As for him investing a grand in it.....where?  Unless that's what they cost new when he bought it, I don't see anything worth a thousand dollars.

[fishermantim]

I would press the seller to explain/tell where he has the $1,000.00 invested in it. If he says that's what it cost him when he bought it, tell him that's not YOUR problem (in a nice way). Otherwise, he may be trying to inflate the selling price to try and get more from you than what it's really worth.

Do a search online and see if there are others selling for less and use that as a bartering tool.

Good luck if you decide to buy, and good fishing when you head out!!!

[openingact]

That bench looks like it would weigh quite a bit and the tarp looks like the material a tent I have which is heavy duty and weighs a ton.  As for him investing a grand in it.....where?  Unless that's what they cost new when he bought it, I don't see anything worth a thousand dollars.

I too don't see a $1000 there. More so I do not see an insulated tent, nor do I see any reflectix or other form of insulation. Seems fishy to me.

[FISHFORPIKE]

Nope.  What does that say in the upper right of the tent?  I think that is an older Otter, maybe back at least 5 years.  Not insulated, and not the size of a "lodge"?.  I take my statement back that it would be a "good" buy.  Maybe, if the overall condition is excellent and I was really interested, I would consider something less.  Does the sled have the hifax wearbars and does it come with a towbar?

[smitty0312]

Well....with all the input here.....witch I appreciate.....I emailed an offer of $125....not going to take too many chances on a USED flip-over.

[openingact]

Well....with all the input here.....witch I appreciate.....I emailed an offer of $125....not going to take too many chances on a USED flip-over.

Seems pretty good. $175 would be by tops if it was in good condition and if I was looking.

[jumbo chaser]

x2 $200 tops

[smitty0312]

Just found out....it is sold, not feeling too bad though....it was more hut than I needed.

[Layne]

Shop around.

I got my black/orange otter wild 2 man flip for $220 new from wholesale sports.

I don't think loading/unloading a 3 man would be any worse than a 2 man.. but pulling it would be.

[harleyharry]

The Otter is a magnum lodge. Otter may have called it a three man, but I have three of them, and two fisherman is about all you want in there at one time. As for the asking price, quite fair. The age of the shanty puts it in the time when you could order direct from Otter. I have a six year old Otter Resort, which is a true three man, and when it landed on my door step, with all the bells and whistles, the check amount was at 1200.00, including freight. The same size Otter today is over 1000.00, at two of the large mail order co., but the new ones are insulated. The one you have pictured is not insulated, and predates the blue camo cover. But, three hundred for this unit with cover, tow bar and bench seat is a good buy/

Harry

[eriksat1]

I don't care what anyone says, 125 Lbs. is heavy, and would be a real bear to get in the back of a truck by yourself. My frabill one man is about 65 lbs and when I am tired after a day of fishing I struggle sometimes loading it in my truck by myself.