IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: Tobster on Oct 22, 2012, 09:55 AM
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I have been looking at this on their website, and it looks pretty good. I can't quite figure out how they get a fishing area that is 44" wide. If you have looked at this shanty I would love to hear your comments, good and bad.
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The sled is a square. The sled is 44X44.
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The sled is a square. The sled is 44X44.
The sled is actually 44in long x 32in wide.
The poles taper outwards from the back of the the sled to 44in.
http://www.shappell.com/iceshelters/fxseriesflips.html (http://www.shappell.com/iceshelters/fxseriesflips.html)
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I like the new schepell so much I went and bought one. I wanted something easy and fast to set up and to be able to run and gun with.
Its also American made in Michigan. I like the bend outs at the end of the ground hoop. Thats helps keep the fabric away from the heater. The sled is super light weight. Which is a great help while trudging thru 6 plus inches of snow. The bench seat has a fair to average rating but ill see how comfy it is this winter. Regular seats weigh alot and I don't need to be pulling alot of weight thru the snow I am waiting for my cover and sled wear runners as both are a absolute necessity. The cover keeps your gear dry and portable and the runners keep your sled botton from wearing and tearing. The schepell was average to put together but not to difficult if you do the directions step by step. Take your time setting up the tent over the hoops and make sure the sides don't flap to much as that would be a pain on windy days. flip the hut up and down before locking in all the set screws on the base of the fabric. Its very adjustable.
I picked the schepell over the clam scout for 5 reasons. #1 its made in the USA clam is not as far as I know/// #2 its 14 pounds lighter than the scout///#3 The schepell seems darker inside ///#4 I like the base hoop design and it makes it more roomy inside./////#5 The cover ,the runners and the hut are $10 cheaper or more each item saving me around $40 to buy more ice gear with. #6 The hoops lock with a mechanical lock so you can have a wind cover on those nice days you want to fish out in the open. All in all I think I got my monies worth.
I still like clam but when they went overseas they lost my loyalty to their product. I want to buy American made. And I did! I look at it this way if my Michigan/ Minnesota neighbors and friends don't have a Job I wouldn't sooner or later. I just wish those CEO would quit trying to rape America and manufacture products here! It would be better for all our fellow Americans. I try and dispose of that disposable income In the USA So I can see that dollar again some day.
My next purchase will be a two man USA made Canvas Craft INC. I need one for fun fishing with friends. They are really neat to!!
Da-Roc
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The only real competition i see for this weight class (40lb or less) is the Clam Trapper at 38lbs. But comes with a folding chair not a bench.
If you took the bench out of the shappell it would be even lighter.. I believe the fabric on the shappell is thicker too.
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So what did they do to make it so light? You can only make a shanty so light before you get into the "cheaply made" category. Downsize the sled (negative if you haul gear and a power auger in your shanty). Thin out the fabric (negative unless you like freezing to death). Make the poles out of thinner aluminum (negative unless you only fish on calm days).
See what I'm getting at? I dont see how they can make a shanty lighter and still maintain a good product.
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The Sled is smaller, they don't contain a build in seat (these weigh a good 10-12lbs alone).
Its a one man flip catered towards the runner crowd.
It doesnt come with all the bells and whistles they upper models have.
Which is nice because you can then mod it you fit you, and not base it off a tank frame.
The Shappells actually use a heavier material (600 denier) than clam, frabill and eskimo on their 1 man/2mans.
I plan on picking up a FX200 or the Clam Nanook once my local shop has them setup to compare.
I cant tell if the FX200/Nanook use expandable rods or not. Thats something i want to avoid.
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Nanook does, and fully loaded I'm pulling over 150lbs with the nanook. Not fun when it plows snow like a box.
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Nanook does, and fully loaded I'm pulling over 150lbs with the nanook. Not fun when it plows snow like a box.
It has rods you gotta collapse? or do the collapse themselves when you flip it back?
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Baitbucket, look on the Shappell website and click on the instruction manual for the 200FX. It looks like solid one piece poles.
Tobster
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Looks like a pretty good sled. I've been looking at a one person run and gun sled for quite a while now. I never even had Shappell on the list but I do now. It's pretty light but once I add a power auger and all the gear It will probably be close to 80-100 pounds. Looks like I will be going to store the soon to compare models. I also like that its made in America.
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I'm not sure where to see one here in SW Wisconsin. Mills Fleet Farm carries Shappell, but according to Shappell FF won't be carrying the new FX100.
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It has rods you gotta collapse? or do the collapse themselves when you flip it back?
Yes, each rod has one of those push pins and a black plastic thing that makes it really easy. I can have it completely folded in and collapsed in less than a minute.
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Right, but if your jiggin a hole for 3-5 mins and moving, breaking down and setting up gets old fast.
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The FX100 is a Rover 1.0 with a wide front frame. Own a Rover 1.0 simple design, deep sled with sloped front easy to pull by hand, no poles to extend with cold hands, just flip and fish. Owned a Clam Guide which I set up as a large one man shelter, the shallow sled isn't the best design in snow, couldn't load it in my truck by myself and sold it.
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Right, but if your jiggin a hole for 3-5 mins and moving, breaking down and setting up gets old fast.
There is absolutely no need to take it completely down until you go home. It will pull across the ice/snow just fine fully extended without rubbing anything. However, I would fold it in if you are planning on towing it at fast speeds.
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There is absolutely no need to take it completely down until you go home. It will pull across the ice/snow just fine fully extended without rubbing anything. However, I would fold it in if you are planning on towing it at fast speeds.
My concern is dragging the fabric at all. After a while its going to take its toll. Its also exposed to being dragged thru water and slush.
The Nanook and FX200 seem like identical units. With the FX being lighter, no extendable poles.
How old is your nanook? the new ones claim:
Instant set-up portable low-profile fish house
NEW spreader pole system (SPS) see pictures
(patent pending shelter design)
http://clamoutdoors.com/ice_fishing/http-clamcorp-com-ice-fishing-shelters/fish-trap/2-person/nanook.html (http://clamoutdoors.com/ice_fishing/http-clamcorp-com-ice-fishing-shelters/fish-trap/2-person/nanook.html)
Is that how yours works?
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No, mine is 2 years old now.. I guess that is old in ice shanty world because it is a different design.. go figure.
Even with mine fully extended, the fabric does not touch the snow or ice, it folds in under the bars.
I still cant figure out how these shappells can get away with not extending the poles. Seems like it would have to be without the bar in the back that pokes it out allowing for extra room behind you. The material would have to come right up behind your head and hit the pole straight up above your head.
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No, mine is 2 years old now.. I guess that is old in ice shanty world because it is a different design.. go figure.
Even with mine fully extended, the fabric does not touch the snow or ice, it folds in under the bars.
I still cant figure out how these shappells can get away with not extending the poles. Seems like it would have to be without the bar in the back that pokes it out allowing for extra room behind you. The material would have to come right up behind your head and hit the pole straight up above your head.
The sled is bigger thats all it is. Thats why when you fold it back down all the fabric lays in our on top of the sled. Look at how small most of the frabill and clam sleds are. I have the fx150 and like the fact that I dont have to extend anything.
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Another thing that hasnt been mentioned is Shappells customer service. They were/are great to deal with. I own a Rover 1.0 and an Ice House by Shappell and wont bother buying another brand. Ive lost 2 poles over the yrs from my Shappells and both times had my poles at my doorstep 2 or 3 days later. Good customer service goes along way in my book and add a quality product....Im sold!
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Thank you for all the info guys. Shappell wasn't on my radar until now.
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I sold my Fishtrap PRO a few years ago. I really liked it, but may consider the Shappell now. Didn't get to go at all last year, not much ice, but this year should be better. Not sure if I would like the material draping down so much? I also have to get another flasher, so the FX100 looks appealing. I am in NW PA and would like to see one in person, if possible. We have a GM and a DSG here.
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I have had the 1.0 going on 5 years now and it is still holding strong and i have put that shanty through it all and i have only had to patch one hole and that was from a mouse and i have drug that canvas across the ice and i have watched the whole shanty blow across the lake end over end. Needless to say i have been more than happy with my Shappell...I am really considering getting the fx100 for a little more fishing space but i have not fully decided because the 1.0 has done me wright and is still in excellent condition and i have gotten used to the fishing area so i guess we will see...
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Was considering an Eskimo wide 1 but I'm gonna check out the FX100 for sure.
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After reading all the good stuff about Shappell, pulled the trigger and ordered anew FX100. have a clam pro but wanted something lighter. my only concern is the seat, but its not a perfect world out there.
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I'd think you can put any seat you want in it, personally I don't care for the Clam seats. The old style Otter seats work best for me they
give more support for your lower back, that's where I have problems. Kinda gives some options for seating is what I'm sayin'.
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i love my bigger shappelle dx4000. roomy and i love having a hard floor. but you need to build a smitty sled to pull it when theres snow on the ice.darn thing turned into a snowplow
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i just baught the fx100 feels like a chariot or Mercedes
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I have the 1.5dx, and previously had the 3000dx, and I like the Shappell brand, and if they are American made, all the better..
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Just bought one and put it together over the weekend. Main reasons I bought it were the light weight, one piece poles and the heavier fabric. If you're looking for a shack to set up and fish one spot all day, it's probably not the one. But it's light, should have plenty room for the necessities, and should be easy to heat, The flared front gives you a lot more room than most one man shacks, but it's still lighter than most. Should be great for run and gun.. I've got a Frabill trekker and I like it, but if I'm dragging by myself very far, it's a load. Plus I wanted to get away from the sliding poles, and after 5 seasons, the fabric is paper thin. I'll still use it I'm sure, depending on where I'm fishing, but I'm guessing I'll use the one man more.
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Shappells of all models are popular in this neck of the woods and I've never met anyone who wasn't happy with theirs. After returning two other new shelters from other brands this fall for defects, I finally bought a Shappell Wide House 5500 and it is great. Easy set up, heavy 600D fabric, flawlessly sewn, strong zippers, windows that fit well and are replaceable, a great bag with plenty of room, and the whole thing only weighs 22lbs. Shappell makes great stuff and you cant go wrong with any of their models. Just, my 2cents ; - )
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Shappells of all models are popular in this neck of the woods and I've never met anyone who wasn't happy with theirs. After returning two other shelters this fall for defects, I finally bought a Shappell Wide House 5500 and it is great. Easy set up, heavy 600D fabric, flawlessly sewn, strong zippers, windows that fit well and are replaceable, a great bag with plenty of room, and the whole thing only weighs 22lbs. Shappell makes great stuff and you cant go wrong with any of their models. Just, my 2cents ; - )
Couldn't agree more in New England lot more Shappel and Nils I travel to NE about 4-5 times a year for work .
It's strange seeing how regional products are . In the Midwest it's all clam frabil and otter , but would say otter is gaining market share . I ve put together about 10-12 huts over the years and I owed a buddy a favor last year and put his otter together for him . imo very , very quality sled / fabric / frame gonna give the BIG 2 a run for their $ My2 cts
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After a lot of looking and reading, I decided to put the fx 100 on my list for Santa! Can't beat made in MI.. My old 5600 clam is a tough pull two miles on foot, I fish alone a lot so I'm lookin forward to less weight on those days...
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I've got a Rover 1.5dx. I went to the fabric store, bought some 2" high density foam and a little vinyl. Stapled the vinyl to the bottom of the bench over the foam. Much more comfortable. A decent stadium seat would probably work, too. I also put a hinge on the bench and hammock-like netting under it for some additional easy access storage, like their old Rover 2.0.
I have nothing but good to say about the sled!
Dave
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Per my other post, I am a Shappell fan. Picked up the FX-150 late last year on clearance and liked it so much I sold my Nanook. As others have stated, not screwing with those tabs on the Clam poles is a big time saver and they are made in Michigan. I called Shappell and they confirmed sleds are made in USA, but all hubs, theirs and everyone else, are made in China. I believe Clam sleds are also made in USA to be fair.
I have wrestled with 1 man sled deal for 3 years. I owned a Kenai and while its size was nice, I had no room to haul anything and ended up dragging my sled with me. I settled on the FX 150 from Shappell (in full disclosure, I bought it thinking it was a 2 man). The FX 150 is a big one man and has ample room for auger, flashers, camera, heather and buckets slide under the bench seat, which also slides back and forth to allow for putting your feet in the sled. Yes, it is heavier at I think 60 pounds, but being able to put all my stuff in the sled and put my heather behind me in the sled sold me.
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I actually had in mind to buy the FX150 originally, just for the heavier fabric and one piece poles. But the weight on it was pretty much identical to my Trekker, so I wasn't saving anything there. After seeing the flared front on the FX 100 and looking at the weight difference, I was sold on the smaller one. The $160 price difference didn't hurt anything either. Only thing I plan on doing is adding a cheap, light seat of some sort to the bench, and maybe a storage pouch of some sort. I've not got many complaints about my Trekker, but after 5 years, the poles don't slide like they used to, and the 300 denier cover is getting very thin. I'm sure there will be days and places where I'll still use it, but that little Shappell should be a lot easier to load and drag for this fat old guy.
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Bought mine last month.
Just put it together
Seems decent, can't wait to slide it out on some hard water!
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wrote about my issues with this last season or one before.
the height of the bench with the tent pulled to the halfway point is too high and your head/hat will hit the tent if you are around 6'. the unit is designed to be used that way and they sell one that only goes halfway, stops over your head and not meant to go to the surface.
my fix' was to buy a conduit bender and conduit and conduit clamps and screws and make new bench mounts that allow the bench to slide to the rear of the tub and most importantly to lower it a few inches because i wanted a light weight boat seat for a back rest and an air bag on top of that.
when the tent is pulled to the surface you can slide the bench back to get more room in front of you while fishing.
it also makes it easier to get to your things under the bench.
next MAJOR problem is the tents roof to wall seams are real bad. they used way too big of a sewing needle (chinese makes the tents for shapell) and so when you look from the inside out, you can see tons of day light. that means tons of water coming down into your tub and person and fishing space. i called mike (owner of shappell) about this and he could only say to buy a seam sealer. his receptionist said is wasn't for wet weather (best way to sum up her exact words), but got me to mike any way.
i did NOT like what i was hearing in either case, but liked the shanty for the rest of the quality and wanted it fixed. i asked a shoe cobbler what he would charge to fold and resew the seams and he said 60$ but it would still need seam sealers.
thats not what i wanted to hear either, so i bought some wind shield repair silicon and flattened out the seams in short sections so the silicon wouldn't run to places i didn't want it to go. and did both sides, top to bottom with the stuff on the out side of the seam. it no longer leaks, but the windows leak real badly still when snow melts on them or worse yet, starts raining. the rear window allows water to get all over your gear and start filling your tub.
i added the reflectix to the roof. led light strip to the front and center bars with remote control dimming/on/off. much longer rope with a handle so i can step inside the rope and pull hands free. made a smitty (thanks smitty!!) sled to make it much easier to pull with all my gear in the tub on days where the lakes have too much snow on them. the boat seat and air bag. some go faster stickers.
also, i added some velcro strips to the bar so when its half way open, i can have the bar hold the extra fabric from blowing around in the wind. just secure the velcro from the bottom of the tent to the add-on velcro strips on the side bars.
if they would only fix the roof seams like they make their wall seams, all would good to start with.
also, the first tub i had collapsed in the front corners and mike replaced right away no charge. the new tub weighed in more (a few ponds) and he said they had to beef up the injection mold thickness because of that issue.
still contemplating how to fix the window leakage problem. thinking storm flaps still, on the out side sewn to the tops of the windows and velcro straps to keep them rolled up and velcro corner to keep it in place when its storming/raining/snowing out.
i should call mike again about them adding it to their products. he said he would like to hear any ting that would be good for them.
not sure how they would sell an after market storm window kit
wanted to add, i liked the shappell suit case shelter, owning the dx 3000, i knew it was well built and never had any issues with it.
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I have had Shappell shacks for years. Quality has always been excellent. Never had the model you are asking about though.
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I purchased the FX200 two years ago. Really like it and would recommend it. I really like the fact that the poles do not need to be extended.
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So are they dark inside for sight fishing too?
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they are black on the inside of the fabric.
600 denier fabric.
windows have inside flaps to closeout the light.
they get dark.
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Would love to see them add a full insulated tent with a nice padded seat , then this would be the ultimate shanty . I know it would add weight , but if it was 60lbs or less this would become the # 1 shanty sought after.
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I like mine it weighs nothing, if they sold a thermal tent I wouldn't hesitate to buy it
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How much fishable space does this have?
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42'ish x 44
http://shappell.com/iceshelters/fxseriesflips.html
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Santa came early!!!
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/IMG_20141218_215913_zps4ad960cf.jpg)
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Quick question for you FX100 owners. How does this shelter fold down? The specifications say that the travel size is 44" wide, but I thought that the poles adjusted in so that the folded dimensions would be more comparable to the sled base?
Thanks for the feedback!
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there is no pole adjustment, they are fixed length. they just fold back and forth and sit on top of the sled when folded to pull. the tube that touches the ice is wider by a few inches to give extra floor space and hangs over the sled some when folded up.
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Well guys, the best got better...
I screwed up my tarp last season and ordered a new in September...
I opened it up and was pretty shocked! The material is a slightly different shade of blue, and its twice as thick!! The coating on the inside seems heavier too... Plus all the seams are double stiched and taped... No more light coming in anywhere!!!
It damn near like an insulated flip now!
The new cover does seem heavier by a few pounds, but I love it!!
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say it ain't so!
i have to spring for another fx100, what's the wife gonna say...
thanks man!
hopefully these posts helped them make it better and selling out may have helped also.
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I own a fx150 and fx 200. Love them both doesn't get much easier than a shappell to run an gun with.my advice is get the fx 200. They both use the same sled. Fx150 is mounted one way on the sled, the 200 is mounted long ways.much more room in the 200 but not much more weight. I agree American made is a plus. Tired of sending my money abroad.enough said.
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Quick question for you FX100 owners. How does this shelter fold down? The specifications say that the travel size is 44" wide, but I thought that the poles adjusted in so that the folded dimensions would be more comparable to the sled base?
Thanks for the feedback!
photos of my FX 100 folded down and with travel cover
(http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r628/mbart53/005_2.jpg) (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/mbart53/media/005_2.jpg.html)
(http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r628/mbart53/006.jpg) (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/mbart53/media/006.jpg.html)
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just got back from knustsons in michigan and picked another fx100 for 219.00$ and anothe 30$ for the runner savers and 35$ more for maggots, 2500 of them! it was their last one. much has improved since new ownership. the seat tube/conduit is bigger and the bench slides now. the roof seam is double stitched and rolled over with no air holes to watch birds from any more.
the fabric is the same tho at 600 denier as all of their tents are. i thought the fx150 had some different black/roof fabric coming down near the center pole, but i'll know more after i assemble my new one in the kitchen in a while. my old one is sold a few minutes after i picked up the phone for 180$.
another thing, it now says ice fishing shelter on the outside of the box. the old lady who used to answer the phone told me it was not when i mentioned all the water coming in from the roof seams lol! hope they got rid of her too and get some one who acts like they care now.
i'm glad they fixed these past issues and now i hope they don't come out with insulated tents because i keep buying their new versions. just kidding, bring it shappell!
thanks Ice Scratcher! i didn't check the cost of just the tent they sell, because i wanted the newer seat design too. tent should be about 100$ i think w/o looking first.
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3300, I called Eagle Claw with a question about my FX 100, they have no idea about the product line they represent. I'd much rather talk to the Shappell's they knew there product, as they designed and developed it.
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me too. never called eagle claw and don't want to. eagle claw doesn't own shappell, the parent company of eagle claw bought shappell. i always call the manufacture and have been buying shappell for years. i have 5 shacks now and only one is not shappell. shappell is from my home state, so i want to support my home state when i have a choice.
i was speaking of shappell the whole time i was talking about them in my previous post other than the new company that owns shappell has made major improvements to the shappell line up. and that's a great thing. too bad it needed a push is all to get it right. i tried telling shappell about these problems and they said it was beyond their control because the tents are made in china. i didn't accept that as an excuse and know whom ever told china how to sew it could change their mind. it has happened, but it took another company to push it thru or so it seems.