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IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: rswope2004 on Feb 02, 2011, 01:06 PM

Title: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: rswope2004 on Feb 02, 2011, 01:06 PM
I  have a frabill hub style 2 man pop up and i am looking for a single man flip over.  money aside who has the best quality 1 man? I read the frabill vs. clam posts and still not sure which to go with.  looking for easy, quick setup, comfy seat,lightweight, nice fishable space for jigging, and durable.  Not asking for much i know but would like to see what you guys out there are using and what you like the best. Any input would be appreciated.  thanks
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: firegems on Feb 02, 2011, 01:16 PM
I just ordered a Clam Trapper 2, waiting for delivery. I based my decision on fishing area (11' ft.) , One of the lightest one man sled out there (with a seat that has a back), portability and set up (no expanding poles), Price also of course! Hoping I made the right choice?????
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: openingact on Feb 02, 2011, 01:41 PM
There's a thread like this either on page 2 or 3 of this category and there are probably several more in the shanty category.


I use a Otter Wild1 and love it. Best bang for the buck and the quality is great!

(actually there's one on this page as well)
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Reel Addiction 2 on Feb 02, 2011, 01:49 PM
Frabill Commando. I was thinking clam or frabill. Frabill seats are hard to beat. Plenty of room in the sled and puls easy. I got a heck of a deal on mine on craigslist and my buddy with the clam is not happy with his after he sat in the frabill.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: SGM on Feb 02, 2011, 02:31 PM
I've had 2 Clams.  My next one will be a Otter hands down.  Quality on Clams has went down hill the past couple of years.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: icefreak55 on Feb 02, 2011, 02:55 PM
If you ask me ...Otter has priced themselves out of the market ..... Why would you pay that much more then a Frabill ? Plus they are HEAVY
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: drake hunter on Feb 02, 2011, 03:02 PM
I've got the Cammando and love it.  Easy to set up and very comfortable.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: rswope2004 on Feb 02, 2011, 03:07 PM
so it looks like the otter and frabill more so than a clam.  i will have to check out the otter.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: icefreak55 on Feb 02, 2011, 03:17 PM
As you can see I have a rover 1.5 which I really like . I can stand ..and have 16sqft of space. 279 $

But you will have to make a modification if you do not like the bench seat .... Put a boat seat in it ....
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: rswope2004 on Feb 02, 2011, 03:23 PM
wheres the best place you all have found to buy a shelter online?  most places you add an extra 100 bucks for shipping. Where i live most local dealers dont carry 1 mans in stock. 
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: fishingabomb2006 on Feb 02, 2011, 03:29 PM
join the frabill nation and go commando!!
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Reb on Feb 02, 2011, 03:46 PM
This is ford or chevy...Everyone has their favorite (usually the one they own). I had a two man HT flip over and was happy with it except for the weight. I now have a shappell rover and I really like it ,it is light and functional and not crazy money.Good luck with this one !!! LOL
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: BMLPIKE on Feb 02, 2011, 05:13 PM
I bought an Eskimo quickflip 3 about 4-5yrs ago and It has held up but its time to upgrade. Its a pain to put it together and the bars that go on the ice have bent. But it has survived for awhile. I also have a clam one person house and that thing is quality. Not very spacious but its nice.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: chukkrok on Feb 02, 2011, 05:52 PM
really enjoying my 1.5 shappell  (new this year). plenty of space ... believe me I looked em over before I made the decision,,and I am glad I went with the shappell.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: IceFishinJoe on Feb 02, 2011, 07:56 PM
Clam Kenai gets my vote, the thing that really sold me was the depth of the tub on it, you can really fit some stuff in there.

Joe
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: WildOutdoorAddict on Feb 02, 2011, 07:58 PM
Get an Otter and be done with it!  ;)
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Indiana_Lou on Feb 02, 2011, 09:17 PM
I second the Rover 1.5. Overall very good product and user friendly.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Ronbo on Feb 02, 2011, 09:19 PM
Get an Otter and be done with it!  ;)
IF U LIKE PULLING A BUS ONTO THE LAKE
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Ronbo on Feb 02, 2011, 09:21 PM
Clam Kenai gets my vote, the thing that really sold me was the depth of the tub on it, you can really fit some stuff in there.

Joe
I HAVE A KENAI ALSO SO THATS 2 VOTES FOR KENAI
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Rubberdaddy on Feb 02, 2011, 10:44 PM
Frabill Commando is what I recommend. The seat is awesome and I like the front door option as well. Most one man's that I've seen you have to collapse to exit. I can leave the door open and interact with my friends that don't have a shanty. Got mine for $230 or so on clearance from Bass Pro. Cabelas and BPS are both offering 20% off all in stock shantys. The black fabric on the Frabills also heats up and retains heat better than other colors, and I haven't needed to fire up the heater yet
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Aaron072 on Feb 02, 2011, 10:51 PM
Frabill Commando is what I recommend. The seat is awesome and I like the front door option as well. Most one man's that I've seen you have to collapse to exit. I can leave the door open and interact with my friends that don't have a shanty. Got mine for $230 or so on clearance from Bass Pro. Cabelas and BPS are both offering 20% off all in stock shantys. The black fabric on the Frabills also heats up and retains heat better than other colors, and I haven't needed to fire up the heater yet

If you haven't fired up a heater you haven't fished yet we've been in some brutal cold and its rough even with a heater and yes i have a frabil
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Rubberdaddy on Feb 02, 2011, 10:59 PM
If you haven't fired up a heater you haven't fished yet we've been in some brutal cold and its rough even with a heater and yes i have a frabil
Been out almost daily, but it hasn't been super cold. Usually its 20 degrees or warmer and I don't need a heater if it's that warm. Nighttime would probably be the only time I use a heater
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: edfalc on Feb 03, 2011, 01:05 AM
i have the frabill 2-man hub style and when i upgrade , i'll get the  frabill 4-5 man hub style.....i really like the open floor and my 2 man has been set up for almost 3 weeks now out on the same spot so they're really stable if you tie them down good...
add the benifits of low weight & low price and you cant lose....
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: fishcrazy56 on Feb 03, 2011, 03:14 AM
go with frabill those clams havent been the same since the company went overseas! I have seen more problems with the kenai and there 2 man speed shacks than I can count.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: filetandrelease on Feb 03, 2011, 06:27 AM
I'm not a very big guy the Kenai is very well built and has a sturdy tub good bang for the buck ,but i  think the product has gone  down hill as soon as they stopped making the X line of shacks ,that might be when the moved overseas 
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: openingact on Feb 03, 2011, 08:38 AM
IF U LIKE PULLING A BUS ONTO THE LAKE

 ::)

The Otter shacks have the some of the best quality right now. You can fit nearly everthing you need in the shack and if you happen to pull it behind a wheeler or snowmobile you don't have to worry about know getting into it because of the depth of the shack that the others don't have. I pull the shack by hand and yes it's heavier other one man shacks, but an in the Otter 1 person shacks you can fit 2 people reasonably comfortable. You won't be able to find a better deal for the price when you look at the overall size and quality. I looked and that's why I chose Otter.

On a side notes, I wouldn't touch any shack by Clam right now. It only takes a quick search on this site to see how many quality controls issues they've been having from screws to canvas. And that's not to mention those that have had theirs for a couple years and are finding them falling apart. (Yes Clam is being fairly reasonable about the QC issues, but really, you buy something new, you wanna use it. Not wait a week to get the corrected parts mailed to you)

Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: toadly on Feb 03, 2011, 09:50 AM
The best one man shelter is one designed for 4 people. The room is very nice and there is always room for one more if you got to. I use the ice cube. weighs less than 25lbs and setts up quick. {;>)
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Ryderr on Feb 18, 2011, 09:33 PM
I just bought the Clam Trapper I for $169.99, and couldnt be happier. I was a bit dissapointed with the hardware, and looking through the threads I seen that a lot of people are having issues with bolts snapping off.

I based my decision between the Trapper, Trapper II, Kenai, and Recon DLX. I didnt buy the Kenai because of the price, and the fishing space. The Trapper II is the same shanty as the Trapper, but it comes with a seat. Personally I dont like the clam seats. But I am spoiled by my Frabill seats. Between the Trapper and Recon DLX....I didnt like the bench seat on the DLX, especially because its bolted in. The DLX also doesnt have a front door, which is a feature I like especially since the windows are not removeable, and it costs a little more $189.99. And the Trapper is 38lbs dry, the DLX is 49.5. I am not a brand loyal type of person, I just go with whats the best in my price range. The fold up chair that comes with the clam is the bees nees. Its super comfy and has an waterproof pocket that I find handy for matches, gloves, waxies, jig boxes etc... There is plenty of fishing space with a small heater and a vexilar. I used my 20lb tank in there, I had the room, but it was way too hot!  @)
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: BIGJim223 on Feb 19, 2011, 05:05 PM
wheres the best place you all have found to buy a shelter online?  most places you add an extra 100 bucks for shipping. Where i live most local dealers dont carry 1 mans in stock. 


I just bought a Clam Kenai from Kittery Trading Post in Maine, had them on sale and shipped it to central NY for $12. And that included an oversize charge for shipping it. I could not find one anywhere for that kind of shipping price! Plus the Sale Price was the lowest I found online or local! They delivered it by 2 Day UPS, bought it Monday afternoon, had it Wed to go fishing! 5 star service!

BIGJim223
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: PERCHIN101 on Feb 28, 2011, 09:56 PM
I got a frabill recon dxl for christmas.  Love the shack, light weight and lots of room for gear and hand auger in the sled but hated the bench seat with no back.  Im short and it was too tall.  i removed the bench and went to gander mountain and bought a replacement clam seat ($35), cut the slide bars down to fit sideways in the shack and have the comfort of a swiveling, sliding seat with a back, at the perfect height.  It even comes with the cloth tray bellow to store some gear in.   Now is the perfect shack!
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: prospector on Feb 28, 2011, 10:37 PM
(http://i54.tinypic.com/24o9jdk.jpg)
(http://i56.tinypic.com/21mavrn.jpg)
(http://i55.tinypic.com/aetahw.jpg)


This baby is less than 20 pounds and I will put it up against any one man flip over.
wow, 20# sounds good. more pics if you would be so kind. :)
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: craigthor on Mar 01, 2011, 05:45 AM
(http://i54.tinypic.com/24o9jdk.jpg)
(http://i56.tinypic.com/21mavrn.jpg)
(http://i55.tinypic.com/aetahw.jpg)


This baby is less than 20 pounds and I will put it up against any one man flip over.

Definitely more pics and where did you pick it up at?
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: WildOutdoorAddict on Mar 01, 2011, 05:51 AM
Otter  ;D
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Gman64 on Mar 01, 2011, 06:16 AM
otterx2
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Tunapursuit on Mar 01, 2011, 06:21 AM
otterX3
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: openingact on Mar 01, 2011, 08:22 AM
X4
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: fish4kitty on Mar 01, 2011, 08:32 AM
Frabill or otter make a great one man unit. Comfy seat and plenty of room for gear.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: KrappieKilla on Mar 01, 2011, 01:39 PM
The problem with Otter is they are heavy.  Are they the best quality?  Probably.  But quality isn't everything in a one man flip over.  Portability and weight are a huge factor as well.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Webby on Feb 26, 2014, 06:55 PM
Otter x5
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: PerchAssault on Mar 01, 2014, 10:51 PM
Love my Eskimo Wide 1 Infernos. Roomy, full insulated, comfy seat, good combination of weight, space and quality. I searched them all and chose this unit, bought two in fact.

Mike
www.perchassault.com (http://www.perchassault.com)
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: vans on Mar 02, 2014, 05:20 AM
I have the Shappell FX150, my first flip so I don't know much about other brands.
I can say I like the room, have fished with my daughter, pretty tight for two but can be done, shanty is on the heavy side, I did build a Smitty sled which helps. The construction seems to be decent, zippers are heavy duty etc.
Time will tell how she holds up
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: jepik on Mar 02, 2014, 09:53 AM
the older you get..the lighter you will want..  :)
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Sportsman44 on Mar 03, 2014, 08:19 PM
There are several other flip overs that havent been mentioned yet.  Im surprised. 
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: maddogg on Mar 04, 2014, 10:21 AM
Love my Eskimo Wide 1 Infernos. Roomy, full insulated, comfy seat, good combination of weight, space and quality. I searched them all and chose this unit, bought two in fact.

Mike
www.perchassault.com (http://www.perchassault.com)

My first year with an Eskimo wide one I like it. Suits me just fine.
Title: Re: best 1 man ice shelter to buy
Post by: Zube on Mar 04, 2014, 11:05 AM
I too have Eskimo Wide 1 Inferno and like it a lot. Quality is good . Only problem I have is all of my heaters are to big - didn't think insulated fabric would make that big of a difference.