Fatfish 949i improvments

[74redone]

 Has anybody heard anything on improvments to the Eskimo Fatfish 949i? I'm looking at buying one this fall and wondered if they had fixed the issues they had last year.
 Thanks
  Matt

[BigDynamite]

I'm not for sure if there have been improvements over last year, but in looking at the new catalog online I see they call the hubs on the Fatfish models "Powerhubs" and describe them as better due to an all metal ball and socket design.  I don't remember the term Powerhub last year.  Maybe someone who bought a Fatfish could give a more definite answer.  Somehow I thought I remember reading that there was some plastic in the hub mechanism last year.  They also mention larger poles in the new catalog (as if they are comparing them to something else).  I'm interested myself as I am planning on a Quickfish 6 (or Fatfish 9416 if problems get resolved and field reports are positive).  Thankfully my choice here is not for the upcoming season, but for the next, as I will have four going out by then instead of two.  I have a QF3 now and really like it.

Tight Lines and Hard Water

[surflizard]

Go to www.geteskimo.com and click on catalog and they will ship one right out to you, I got mine 3 days after asked for it ! It has all the info on the new designs for the 949i shack !

[OldSailor]

Or click on download latest catalog:
http://www.geteskimo.com/foundations/store/shopdetail.asp?params=BROCESK

[BigDynamite]

Hey guys -

Did I miss something in looking over the catalog?  Is there a specific section on "improvements" for this year over last for the Fatfish design?

[OldSailor]

Hey guys -

Did I miss something in looking over the catalog?  Is there a specific section on "improvements" for this year over last for the Fatfish design?

Check pages 12-13 about the new "Power Hub" design

[BigDynamite]

In my 1st post I questioned whether the "PowerHub" was new compared to last year.  I don't have last year's catalog so I can't check if that term was used to describe the hubs last year as well.  While I don't remember that term being used I was sort of asking if anyone new for sure that this really represented a new hub/pole design.  Sorry, but just the term "new" in the description doesn't necessarily mean much to me as companies leave labels like that on products for long periods of time these days.  I believe the hubs used in the Fatfish line last year were "new" - compared to those used in the Quickfish.  This was at least part of the problem these units had.

Personally I really hope the design is both new and on par with the Quickfish.  If this proves to be true after field tests by IS members, then a Fatfish 9416 will be in my garage next year.

Tight Lines and Hard Water

[74redone]

 I'm going to call tomorrow and see what I can find out. I will post my finding.
 Matt

[DFresh75]

Google FTW -
2011
http://www.moreoutdoor4u.com/pdf/eskimo/2011BROCESK_lowres_02.pdf
2012
https://docs.google.com/gview?url=http://www.merricktackle.com/home-images/eskimo-catalog.pdf&chrome=true

I don't see any mention of "Power Hub" in the 2011 or 2012 catalogs, I assume it must be a new feature but I would reach out to Eskimo to be sure.  I'd also buy with an AMEX if possible to cover your @ss just in case.

[74redone]

Called Eskimo and they said that they replaced the poles with a stronger poles and a new metal hub assemblies. They did not change anything on the carrying bags. I will be ordering one of the 949i as soon as they are up for sale. I will do a review and post it to let everyone know what I find.
 Matt

[Super Yooper]

According to the retailer:

Carry bags are updated, reinforced and bigger.

New hubs accommodate a larger pole than last year. In order to get this, you have to make sure you get one that shipped this year.

[74redone]

They r for sale now but dont buy one at Cabealas they r $80 higher th
an the msrp!
Matt

[dkfry]

With the Clam Bigfoot XL4000T out now the 949i will have to stay competitive on the price. A $100+ difference is a chunk of change.

[Toxic fisher]

Word on the street is clam is going to have a Bigfoot on display at Syracuse powersports show this weakend very curious on show price what's the Msrp on them haven't seen one yet???

[dkfry]

Cabelas, Thorne Bros and a couple other have the Clam Bigfoot XL4000T listed for $319.99 (street price, not MSRP) I would like to see one but I think I will end up with one regardless.

[74redone]

 I haven't heard of the new Clam. I will have to check it out although I have heard a lot of bad comments on the quality of the Clam shanties.
 Matt

[Chris338378]

Are the insulated models much warmer than the noninsulated models and are they worth the extra money?  I never owned one and am looking at them for next year when my Daughter will be going with me.

[74redone]

 I have never owned one either but I have asked this question on here and this is the answers I have goten. They will not sweat like a nonisulated hut will. They do hold the heat better but the biggest advantage is you will not be getting dripped on while your fishing.
 Matt

Are the insulated models much warmer than the noninsulated models and are they worth the extra money?  I never owned one and am looking at them for next year when my Daughter will be going with me.

[dkfry]

I haven't heard of the new Clam. I will have to check it out although I have heard a lot of bad comments on the quality of the Clam shanties.
 Matt

http://clamoutdoors.com/ice_fishing/http-clamcorp-com-ice-fishing-shelters/pop-up/4-person-and-up/big-foot-xl4000-thermal-8-x-8-4-6-anglers.html

[74redone]

The Clam looks nice and its $30 cheaper. It also has more space inside and looks like it is taller in the corners so u can stand up. May have to rethink my purchase options. 

[AERO63]

I loved the look of the FatFish last year but stayed away after reading of all the issues.  With the new hubs and poles for 2013 I might have to bite!  The non-insulated model can be had at quite a few places for $249.

The new Clam also looks nice and I believe the specs say it's the same height as the FF 949, but looking at them both side by side at Cabela's there is no doubt that the FF is actually taller in the center, not sure about the corners.

[74redone]

 I ordered the new Clam Bigfoot. I wanted the insulated one and the Clam was alot cheaper than the 949i. I think they are both good huts but the corners on the Clam are taller than the 949. I'm 6' tall and can stand anywhere in my hut and the 949 I had last yr I couldn't. I did a review on my new Clam with pictures. I would check it out before making the plunge. I am glad I did. Again this is just my opinion. Eskimo did have problems last year and they said they addressed them all but the bag issue. Which means the handles are still going to be weak. I'm sure you will be happy with either one you get.
 Good Luck!
  Matt

I loved the look of the FatFish last year but stayed away after reading of all the issues.  With the new hubs and poles for 2013 I might have to bite!  The non-insulated model can be had at quite a few places for $249.

The new Clam also looks nice and I believe the specs say it's the same height as the FF 949, but looking at them both side by side at Cabela's there is no doubt that the FF is actually taller in the center, not sure about the corners.

[AERO63]

I ordered the new Clam Bigfoot. I wanted the insulated one and the Clam was alot cheaper than the 949i. I think they are both good huts but the corners on the Clam are taller than the 949. I'm 6' tall and can stand anywhere in my hut and the 949 I had last yr I couldn't. I did a review on my new Clam with pictures. I would check it out before making the plunge. I am glad I did. Again this is just my opinion. Eskimo did have problems last year and they said they addressed them all but the bag issue. Which means the handles are still going to be weak. I'm sure you will be happy with either one you get.
 Good Luck!
  Matt

I'd like to check out your review...I'll search for it!  Thanks for the heads up.

[74redone]

Look on the equipment thread its under Clam Bigfoot XL4000 review.
Good luck
matt

I'd like to check out your review...I'll search for it!  Thanks for the heads up.

[AERO63]

Look on the equipment thread its under Clam Bigfoot XL4000 review.
Good luck
matt

Checked it out...looks good.  I do like a few things about the Clam for sure...heavier material even in the non-insulated models, like the bag, like the anchor straps.  Now it's a tough choice!!! haha

[74redone]

I know what u mean. i was set to get a 949i then i heard about the XL4000T which is bigger and cheaper made my choice pretty easy.
Matt

Checked it out...looks good.  I do like a few things about the Clam for sure...heavier material even in the non-insulated models, like the bag, like the anchor straps.  Now it's a tough choice!!! haha

[BigDynamite]

Are the windows in the Fatfish removable as they are in the Quickfish line?  I really like that feature on my QF3.

Thanks.

Tight Lines and Hard Water

[AERO63]

Are the windows in the Fatfish removable as they are in the Quickfish line?  I really like that feature on my QF3.

Thanks.

Tight Lines and Hard Water

Yes, the FF line has removable windows.

[fastrpms]

I bought a Fatfish 949i last year and even posted about the problems I had with it. Poles would bow, poles popped out of hubs, window covers would barely close, carrying bag was too small and ripped! The concept was great, the quality was junk!

However, Eskimo customer service made things right! I called up Eskimo and they exchanged my old one with a new version. They even paid for the shipping back and forth. When I received my new 949i, the first thing I noticed was that the carrying bag was MUCH bigger and had plenty of room for the popup to fit. It wasn't the tight fit the other one was. The stitching seemed to be much better on the straps as well.

As soon as I set up the 949i, I noticed that the hubs are different. They seem of better quality but only time will tell if they last. I also noticed that the poles were not bowed at all! This was a major problem for me on my last one. I always had to anchor all the walls on my old one in order for it to stay up by itself, even if there was no wind. The window covers all Velcro nice now. My old  one didn't seem to line up correctly and the window covers would fall off by themselves all the time.

I gotta admit, I was really disappointed with the original one I purchased. However, after working with Eskimo and addressing all the problems they had and most importantly, taking care of me, I must give them credit. If you have an old 949i, call up Eskimo and get your old one exchanged. If your looking to buy a new one but waiting to see if they resolved there problems, I feel like the new one is ready for the market. I will try to update once we actually get ice on the lake so I can try it out.

[Chris338378]

Thanks for the info.  I can't decide between the 949 and the Quickfish 4.