FishOntario/DeWalt Portable Hut Tips, Suggestions, or Comments Please

[Jace]

Well I think I have made up my mind and am going to build a FishOntario/DeWalt Style Hut, for those that are unfamiliar with it here is the link http://www.fishontario.com/images/skills/dewalt/Dewalt-Ice_Hut.pdf  I am looking for something that will fit in the back of my truck and hold 2-3 guys.  From what I have read these are even sturdy enough when folded to pull the ATV up on top so that I can get everything into the truck bed.  I am looking for any suggestions/tips anyone can provide to improve the design.  I want to build it right the first time and don't mind spending some extra time/money to do it.  I am not overly concerned with weight as I will likely be pulling it with either the ATV or snowmobile but at the same time I don't want to be moving a tank if it isn't necessary.

I am planning on making the hut a full 4'X8' to hopefully fish three guys.  The floor is going to be 3/4" Plywood with 1/2" for each end wall and transport truck tarp covering the rest.  Is 3/4" overkill for the floor with 3 runners?  The center height 6'5" with an arched roof which should leave 4'6" of straight wall, right about the same height as I will be sitting down.  For Runners I don't know if I should go with a 2"X4" or 2"X6", the later will give me a little more ground clearance for snow but I don't know how important that will be, the 2"x4" will certainly save me some weight.  The door opening is going to be 5'X2' is this large enough or should I try and stretch it out further.  Here is a drawing of what the front of the hut should look like.


I am going to try for 3 Holes but don't know if I should alternate the sides or place them all along one wall and have everyone sit on the other side.

Anybody have any advice before or tips to make this design better or even suggest other plans which might be better suited for me?  Thanks in Advance.

[MILLERMANKT]

I made one of these a few years ago and it was awesome. The only drawback for me was the weight. I like to fish w/ my 12 and 14 year old and it was too heavy for them to lift into my truck or trailer. 3/4 might be a little overkill for the floor but up to you. Def. go w/ 2x6 for runners. It will help w/ going over snow.If you can get ahold of a pair of cross country skies to put under the runners, it will help. As for hole , I would put 3 on each side. If you have 3 people, you can stager and each fish a hole. If you have 2 people , you can sit on opposite sides and fish 2 holes each. Or have a hole for a camera,etc. Good luck !
                                                                          Keith

[Fishkeeper]

I built one about 5-6 years ago , using a 3/4" 4x8 plywood floor.
...based on the Fishontario plan ....with a few changes .The biggest difference was a 10 " high pony wall built onto the floor perimeter...then I added the folding end walls on top of the permanent pony walls. This gave me a storage space of 4' x 8' x 10" to keep a fold down wood burning stove , folding chairs and all my fishing gear,including a gas ice auger...when the end walls were folded down for transporting, either on the back of my pick-up or towed behind my snowmachine .
It was fairly heavy but two men could slide it aboard a 1/2 ton (I used a block and tackle when alone).
I only had two holes in the floor , on diagonally opposite corners.
It was pretty crowded even with just two guys ....so I built a hardside a few years later (6 1/2 x 9 1/2)...much better.
I'll see if'n I can post a picture of the folding one ...but I think I already have one on my thread " Building a 6 x 9 hardside shanty" .
Nope.. went there(on page three of Ice shack tips) must be on a diferent thread .

[Fishkeeper]

It's on the thread on the top of this page "Ice Shanty Plans" on page three is a pic of my portable  and some further discussion on how it was built...if you're interested

[Mainedog]

I built a 4x8 last year (hard side).  Two holes opposite corners.  Enough room for two people to fish, but I really don't like the 4' width.  5' would be much better.  I am trying to figure out how to make a 5' wide Ontario style some day.  Also, 2' wide on the door might be a bit tight.  I like to stand up without having my head hit the roof.  I am not that tall, but might feel a bit claustrophobic with only 4.5' feet walls/6' at the top of the arch.  As Fishkeeper points out, loading and unloading is still something that needs assistance if you are doing it alone due to weight.  My 4x8 had a 3/4" floor and two 2x4 runners.  I used 2x3 cross supports (one at each end and in the middle).  It was plenty sturdy.  I wished I had used 2x6 though because it plowed snow occasionally.  Actually, I wish I had built a lightweight runner sled that then was removed (had the shack sit directly on the ice).  You could save weight doing this, and using a much lighter floor/support frame.  Some folks who have the Cabala's tent kit use very thin plywood, and then glue 1/2" or thicker polystyrene foam on one side to help insulate/support the wood floor on the ice.  Two of the very appealing aspects of an Ontario style to me are that you have a solid door (vs zipper), and that you can rig up a small wood stove inside it much easier than you could in a tent type shelter.  Also, with a fold down, you don't have to dedicate a trailer or pickup for transport. It can be car-topped.  Disadvantages are that you have to empty it each time you set it up.  It still can get a bit heavy.  Without good ventilation, it can get steamy inside. You might have to anchor it to the ice in high winds. Unless you custom order or can sew, you will not have very large windows.  I am currently working on a Cabala's tent kit, and have ordered some boat vinyl for the interior floor, as well as some commercially made plastic fish hole covers.  I never have been happy with the ones I have built. 

[Jace]

Thanks for the adivce so far.

Fishkeeper, I saw your design when searching the forums for some ideas on what to build and liked the idea.  The pony walls would certainly be nice but I think they would pretty much kill the possibility of pulling my ATV on top for transport if necessary.  I plan to get a large rubbermaid  container and pack all my necessary gear into that and strap it onto the top of my hut when moving around.

MILLERMANKT/Mainedog, I think I will go with 2x6 for runners for the little extra clearance.  I am not sure if I should go with 3 runners and a 1/2" floor, 2 runners and a 1/2" floor with 1x3 cross supports, or 2 runners with a 3/4" floor.  hmmm.....  I think I will start with 3 holes down one side and 1 hole opposite the middle one on the other side.  this gives me some flexibility and I can always cut more holes if necessary.  I am hoping to jst use this as a portable for day trips to different lakes.  My main location does have a hardside and this isn't meant to replace that.  4' is going to be a little skinny I am sure but it sure fits nicely between teh wheel wells in my truck.

Thanks for all the tips so far you gave me a few more things to think about.  What are everyone elses opinions on the roof and door dimensions, should I go bigger?

[Jace]

Here is what I decided to go with for a floor layout.



It should allow me to fish 3 guys with 1 hole each, either alternating or all along one side,  and a camera hole under the middle mans seat.  I can also fish 2 guys with 2 holes each.  I routered a 1inch strip around each hole ~1/4 inch deep to that my covers will fit in flush.  The 1" lip should also work well to keep snow out when pulling through the deep stuff and the bottom starts to act like a large ski.  I plan on hinging each lid and locking with a small barrel lock.  Any suggestions or tips are always welcome.

[Whatpole]

Try these guys http://www.canvascraftinc.com/northland.htm

I order a 6x8 from http://www.boatcovers.com/, but I don't see icehouses advertised on there any more. The 6x8 has lots of room, and I can load and unload it myself. It folds in half to 4x6. It sets up in just a few minutes. I think it is a good house for the $$.

[ice dawg]

I built one years ago that would extend out to 6 feet wide with six holes in the floor and two in the extension. I used a double pumkinseed heater and I put it outside in the extension to save room inside. If I didn't put the heater in the extension I could drill three or four holes out there. I used it for about eight years and sold it to buy a flipover.

[feasanthunter]

i built one a few years back, 40"x72" floor. i used garage door hinges, metal studs infilled with 2x lumber for runners, 3/4" floor and 3/8" ply for the ends. i could get it into the truck alone. it's still around if someone in western pa. wants it.

[vermonner]

Built one last year.  Alternated sides for holes.  Heat w/dyna glo propane heater.  Warms up nice.  1/2" floor, 3/8 walls, black tarp (that had to be cut away to get her unfrozen from the ice--long story, let's just say it will be blocked off the ice this year) 2x4 runners.  Went economy and put flashing on the runners w/screws.  Slid like a dream. Was still heavy though and not an easy load for me alone.  My fully grown nephews and I were cozy in there but it wasn't bad, really. I would like to change my tarp to canvas/acrylic boat cover type material this year if I find a deal on some or can scavenge some up, otherwise fresh hardware store tarp.