Cabin-Style Shelters

[Clear_Ice]

Examples include the Clam 2000 and the Frabill Refuge Cabin. Is there any other brands that offer these? I know shappell also does.

Do any of you have/want them? Im just curious to their following. Ive never used one, but might consider buying one down the road. I like to explore my options, and since this is one, I wanna find out how they are from people that actually use them. Not from a website trying to market it.

FYI, i already own a flip-over, so I don't need to be swayed into buying one of them

Thanks,
CI

[Lavman]

I have had a Frabil Refuge for several years now. I like it, it is roomy (I am 6' tall and can stand up in it easily which is awesome for long days out there) and easy to set up/take down. I take my two oldest kiddos with me all the time and we can all fit in there nicely and jig without being on top of each other.

Couple of drawbacks (to be frank, there is no "perfect" shanty so far as  know):

1) A bit if a handful in windy conditions. Needs to be carefully anchored, the conduit frame is rugged but not up to aircraft flight standards

2) Fabric is thin. So far I have no holes but the places where it folds are starting to show signs of weakening and when inside you can see light through these spots pretty readily.

3) Zippers require careful operation. I have not had any problems so far (knocks on wood) but the zippers are not super rugged and should not be pulled hard/fast but rather carefully. My kids love to whip the zipper up and down coming in and out of the shanty, I must sound like a broken record "easy on the zippers!!!"

I got mine on sale and it did not cost me a fortune ($189 IIRC) and I figure if I take care of it I should get many good years of service out of it. By the same token it is an easy shanty to fix if anything breaks since it is metal conduit and fabric. If you have any handy andy sort of skills you will be good to go.


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[Clear_Ice]

Lavman- You are definitely right about how there is no perfect shanty!! I thought that about my flipover, but I have found situations where I definitely dislike it. I just was just wondering about how bad it would be in wind, and how roomy they actually are.

Keep the opinions coming people!

CI

[Whopper Stopper]

You sure see a lot of Frailly on the ice.

       W

[Lavman]

Lavman- You are definitely right about how there is no perfect shanty!! I thought that about my flipover, but I have found situations where I definitely dislike it. I just was just wondering about how bad it would be in wind, and how roomy they actually are.

Keep the opinions coming people!

CI

On windy days I leave it tethered to the back of the jet sled which is hitched via stiff hitch to the wheeler. I then use two long bungee cords to connect the tie down tabs on the shanty to the back of the jet sled. This keeps it quite secure and when I am ready to move I just reel up, close the hole covers and drive away.

Two adults can fish with room to spare in it. I have found sitting on padded buckets works better than using the folding chairs in terms of space saving however if I am alone my big folding chair is perfect and way more comfortable than bucket. The nice thing is I can stand up and stretch easily in this shanty.

[Clear_Ice]

Im sure there is a ton of creative ways to anchor/transport these shanties.. Anyone else got some feedback or examples?

CI