Author Topic: Who makes the best 2 man portable ice shelter??? (Read 18564 times)

Ice26 · « **on:** Jan 17, 2010, 06:30 PM »

Hi i'm looking into getting an ice shelter and just looking for some input on different models and makes...

prayingforice · « **Reply #1 on:** Jan 17, 2010, 07:25 PM »

I love my Guide from Clam. It is an older one though. I like the seat set up in it better than the new ones. This size is small enough for me to take when the ice is slush free, and is big enough for my son and I to fish together. The new fabric from Clam does seem to be real nice.
You can decide how much insulating you want to pay for.

If you are a set up and stay kind of fisherman, the 2000 clam pop up is very nice for an all day outing running tippups.
I have had 4 clam shelters and have loved them all. I just sold my 5600. It was just to heavy for the type of fishing I'm doing now.

hawkeyejr · « **Reply #2 on:** Jan 17, 2010, 07:51 PM »

gander mountain has there floor models on sale for 20% off.clam fish traps are the best closely followed by frabill and otter

SNAGGER · « **Reply #3 on:** Jan 17, 2010, 08:20 PM »

OTTER!!!!

kchamp · « **Reply #4 on:** Jan 17, 2010, 08:40 PM »

Quote from: SNAGGER on Jan 17, 2010, 08:20 PM

OTTER!!!!

otter is the best more money but when they take a lift off the back of your truck doing 65mph and don`t break its worth it, not that it has happen to me

crappiekid · « **Reply #5 on:** Jan 17, 2010, 09:50 PM »

Otter sturdy durable the best.

cspoof · « **Reply #6 on:** Jan 17, 2010, 10:21 PM »

Overall the Clam WINS!!

nyiceman23 · « **Reply #7 on:** Jan 17, 2010, 11:07 PM »

I like my Frabill Trekker DLX two man. It is all I need and the seats are comfy. They all make good shanties, but if you have the money and pull with a machine the Frabill Predator is hands down the best. It is $600 unit but it is built to last.

allthumbs · « **Reply #8 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 05:33 AM »

Clam Nanook leave the seat assembly out (half of the weight) carry portable chairs cant beat the price 300

Jperry4 · « **Reply #9 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 06:07 AM »

I also like my Frabill Trekker DLX two man its pretty durable sets up in seconds the seats are comfy and they even come out so i can load all my gear in the sled plus its got plenty of room once its set up. One cold day we fit four full grown guys and a propane heater in it, two on the seats and two on fold up seats no one could jig but we drank beer and was out of the weather so it was good , only if it was me and 3 other women

RealityCheck · « **Reply #10 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 06:14 AM »

OTTER!

bcons · « **Reply #11 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 06:32 AM »

1st you need to consider several questions about yourself, habbits, & location before chosing a type of shanty.
Do you have a wheeler or snowmobile to pull your equipment?
How much snow/slush normally on the ice where you're at?
Do you move around alot during the day?
Do you have far to pull your gear?
How much gear do you normally take?

Regardless of company all above listed favorites are good choices depending on how you answer the questions I asked.
Weight & ease of pulling is HUGE concern if you have a long walk, no machine, or lots of snow. If you have to kill yourself getting out there, it makes for an unpleasant start to the day & even worse end of the day pulling it all back.
I had a clam 1man flip, loved it, however I recently switched to 3 man popup. It only weighs 20+ pounds. Now all my gear fits in a Jet sled Jr. (bungee cords needed) and the whole thing weighs less than 80 lbs and has a tiny footprint (very easy to pull when I don't take my sled) my 3 man setup is lighter & easier to pull than my 1 man. I now have enough room for real folding chairs with arms, to stand upright & stretch without going outside, etc...........
Each company has it benefits & drawbacks, the final choice really depends on you & your activities.

nICE FISH · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 08:02 AM »

Ive had no problems with my frabill.

;Ds

PUNISHER · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 01:40 PM »

Right on bcons.

Another question is how are you getting to the ice.
Pick up truck or sub-compact?
Not much room in a small car for a flip over shanty.

If money, on and off ice transportation were not issues I'd get one of these "portables":
http://www.canvascraftinc.com/northlanderatt.html

IMO otter still makes the best most durable portable shantys.
With the high end Calms coming in second.
Although having motorized transportation on the ice is almost a necessity because of their weights.

If your hand dragging then it's basically down to preference.
Frabill and Clam are comparable, top of the list for me.
Then Shappel and others would be second.
It comes down to weight, seat type/arrangement, tent material, sled dimensions and thickness.

When I got done compairing them all last year I got the Frabill Trekker DLX and love it.

blizzardfisher · « **Reply #14 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 02:45 PM »

Quote from: hawkeyejr on Jan 17, 2010, 07:51 PM

gander mountain has there floor models on sale for 20% off.clam fish traps are the best closely followed by frabill and otter

was just there,quite a few left.love my clam!!

JOHN044 · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 05:31 PM »

Gander Mt. web site has some good deals right now... if you order on line be sure to use the code GANDER15 in the codespace for discounts..this will get you 15% off total. with free shipping not too bad.

GAMBELL · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 05:33 PM »

Clam Yukon - Nothing beats the Yukon. Well built and well designed.

goonboy · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 05:36 PM »

otter all the way the best

chuei · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 06:09 PM »

I just bought a frabill trekker dlx and i love it seats are comfy as a recliner cost 399.99 gander mountain

nathan1997 · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 06:19 PM »

Quote from: chuei on Jan 18, 2010, 06:09 PM

I just bought a frabill trekker dlx and i love it seats are comfy as a recliner cost 399.99 gander mountain

I was looking at that Frabill at Gander Mountain and those seats were very comfortable.I ended up going with the Nanook.Not as nice as the Frabill but 100.00 cheaper

Ron Plocek · « **Reply #20 on:** Jan 18, 2010, 06:51 PM »

My Frabil is Awesome! I love their shanties. Plus, on real cold days the back fabric helps keeping you warm.

northernnyice · « **Reply #21 on:** Jan 19, 2010, 10:24 AM »

shappell dx3000 would be a good fit.

bobdboater · « **Reply #22 on:** Jan 19, 2010, 10:42 AM »

I purchased a KILLZONE 4 person shelter on EBAY for $159.00 including freight. 2 person was just over $100.00. It was just delivered this morning. I will let you know how the quality is and the set up. Came with all the anchors and it looks roomy from the dimensions they showed. Took 4 days delivery from MN....

dakota man · « **Reply #23 on:** Jan 19, 2010, 11:12 AM »

Clam 5600. Lots of room and sets up so easy.

deebsey · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 20, 2010, 08:37 AM »

Had a clam guide now I have upgraded to the nanook and would say Clam all the way.

Grady95 · « **Reply #25 on:** Jan 20, 2010, 10:01 AM »

Well I sure hope it's the Clam Yukon because I just bought one on sale at Gander Mountain yesterday! It's a bit heavy, but I have a tube sled from Shark in Honeoye that will make the drag easy. That material looks good, there is room for all the toys like camera, tripod, vex, heater and oh yea, I almost forgot, me! I am coming from a Shappell 3000 which has been great but I have just beaten the heck out of it. It still works though so it will stay as a backup or additional shanty if a buddy needs one. Just what I need, more inventory of icefishing gear.

Stay Sharp, Be Safe
Grady

gunnerdk · « **Reply #26 on:** Jan 20, 2010, 10:09 AM »

We upgraded to a voyager this year and we are extremely happy. Lots of room and very comfortable.

Jigger Don · « **Reply #27 on:** Jan 20, 2010, 01:07 PM »

i own a clam youkon and love it had it 2 years and no problems yet

DON-E-ICE · « **Reply #28 on:** Jan 27, 2010, 02:46 PM »

How much does the trekker dlx weigh, 90% of the time I'm walking on the ice. Do they drag easily?

Windknots · « **Reply #29 on:** Jan 30, 2010, 07:48 PM »

I bought an HT Instashak at Gander and I really like it. It's a 2 man and has good room for my two kids and me. It was $100 off, paid $ 199. Sets up in a minute, easy to move and is black. Came with sled and 2 chairs. Easy to move- if you don't want to spend a fortune it's a great setup.

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Author Topic: Who makes the best 2 man portable ice shelter??? (Read 18564 times)