Which Shelter

[tysontia]

Looking to get a new shelter.  I've been checking out the Clam Fish trap series shelters/sleds. 

I can't really see much of a difference between the less expensive Nanook and the more expensive Denali, Voyager and Yukon models.  The thermal versions of each seem like a good idea, as they eliminate condensation.

Anyone have any knowledge of the difference between these 3 Fish Trap models?

Thanks in advance

[inHISgrip]

I say Go Frabill. I know Clam has gotten better about the quality after the  Fiasco of a few years ago with their cheap parts and poor quality. They blamed it on their Chinese distributor. I would tell you to go to a local store sit inside The shelters, feel the seats ,see how the polls move, look at the tents, spend  some real time in The shelters .Set them up take Them down. Pick them up. After I did this the quality of the free build zippers and closures and Velcro and all the different pieces the Frabill just felt better..... But even if you're just debating different clam models I would say go to the store and spend some time

[tysontia]

Problem is, Scheels in Sioux City only has Clam product that I've seen.

[dubnation25]

I got the frabill trekker dxl last year. Man do I like it. I went and sat in all kinds and still liked the frabill the best for price. Its great for them cold windy days.

[Shrades]

On the Clams make sure you check out the total pounds of it. If you are pulling it by hand thru snow. That will make a big difference.

[DustyRhyno]

Everyone percieves quality differently.
I had a Frabill Commando for a couple of years. Didn't hold up as well as my Scout has.
The fabric just seems thinner.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

[tysontia]

The Frabil Trekker DLX max seems sweet.............a top cover and tons of storage.  Not sure if it is thermal though...........I'm wanting a thermal.

[Shrades]

I have a Nanook for the last couple of years and love it. Also have a Clam Summit for more people. The Nanook is easy to pull by myself The fabric is 600 danier some cheaper ones are a 420 thickness.

[jimyoumook]

as with all outdoor gear buy the best you can afford

[anderson_dc]

I'll see if I can help you answer some of your questions Tyson.

Nanook Thermal
MSRP $449.99
SET UP SIZE: L 83” x W 61”
CENTER HEIGHT: 61”
PACK SIZE: L 61” x W 36” x H 21”
WEIGHT: 85 LBS
FISHABLE AREA: 20 SQ. FT.
-600 denier fabric
-Base model seats

Yukon TC
MSRP $549.99
SET UP SIZE: L 86” x W 65”
CENTER HEIGHT: 70”
PACK SIZE: L 65” x W 38” x H 26”
WEIGHT: 92 LBS
FISHABLE AREA: 20 SQ. FT
-600 denier fabric
-Deluxe seats

Denali TC
MSRP $559.99
SET UP SIZE: L 132” x W 59”
CENTER HEIGHT: 65”
PACK SIZE: L 59” x W 41” x H 24”
WEIGHT: 100 LBS
FISHABLE AREA: 36 SQ. FT
-600 denier fabric
-Deluxe seats
-Shelter arranged so one angler fished in the "front" of shack and one at the "back" of shack; not side to side

Voyager TCX
MSRP $659.99
Set Up Size: L 92” x W 72”
Center Height: 75”
Pack Size: L 75” x W 45” x H 25”
Weight: 110 LBS
Fishable Area: 27 SQ. FT.
-Larger 1.25" poles
-600 denier fabric
-Deluxe seats

I arranged the shacks in descending order in regards to cost and weight.  I have fished out of all of them (or their base models) minus the Denali.

-In the Nanook, you sit down closer to the ice and if you're a taller guy that can be a little tougher on the knees.  Also, it has the base model seats. 
-I have the Yukon and it's a really nice two man shack.  The seats are more comfortable and you sit up higher (easier on the knees).  The Yukon also has a higher center height than the Nanook.
-The Denali has the most fishable area of all the shacks you listed, because it opens up on both sides of the shack.  Kind of a neat concept.
-The Voyager TCX is a beast!  It's pretty much a three man shack with plenty of room to spare.  With that increased room comes increased weight though.  They beefed up the pole system in that shack and it can handle high winds and rough conditions.

Are you pulling this shack by hand or with a quad/snowmobile?  Will it just be you fishing the majority of the time, or will you have someone with you?

[inHISgrip]

FRABILL GUARDIAN ICE SHELTER $500.00 Mills Fleet Farm
Guardian Ice Shelter -
Assembled - 96 in. L x 66 in. W x 75 in. H
Fishes 2-3 anglers plus gear
Fishable area 25 sq feet
2 deluxe padded swivel boat seats
Patented MSS seat system
600 denier tent
Extra tough thermo-formed base
7/8 in. heavy-duty aluminum frame
Front & rear windows with heavy-duty zippers
4 clear, removable windows
MaxVent system adjusts for optimal venting
(8) 2x2 in. safety reflectors
Additional poly coating keep light & water out
Weight: Approximately 110 pounds
Shipping Dimensions: Approximately 66 x 40 x 12 inches.

[anderson_dc]

OP stated he wants a thermal shack, the Frabill Guardian is not thermal.

[inHISgrip]

THERMAL GUARDIAN FLIP-OVER SHELTER (2-3 anglers)

Assembled - 96 in. L x 66 in. W x 75 in. H
Fishes 2-3 anglers plus gear
Fishable area 25 sq feet
2 deluxe padded swivel boat seats
Patented MSS seat system
600 denier tent
Extra tough thermo-formed base
7/8 in. heavy-duty aluminum frame
Front & rear windows with heavy-duty zippers
4 clear, removable windows
MaxVent system adjusts for optimal venting
(8) 2x2 in. safety reflectors
Additional poly coating keep light & water out
Weight: Approximately 115 pounds
Shipping Dimensions: Approximately 66 x 40 x 12 inches.

[anderson_dc]

Forgot the price

[tysontia]

I would be pulling this by hand.........most times i would be with someone else.  Dang, most of these are 90 lbs or so.......add gear and power auger and you have some serious weight.

Do any of these have a place to put your auger by chance?  If not, that becomes another trip!

[squ1rr31_]

Frabill has a Trekker DLX with a Thermal tent now around $499 I believe. I bought the tent only for the shack, I should be getting it this week sometime I believe.

[inHISgrip]

THERMAL GUARDIAN FLIP-OVER SHELTER (2-3 anglers)      $539.00 Mills Fleet Farm

[Shane123]

I would be pulling this by hand.........most times i would be with someone else.  Dang, most of these are 90 lbs or so.......add gear and power auger and you have some serious weight.

Do any of these have a place to put your auger by chance?  If not, that becomes another trip!

I lay my auger inside of my shack when pulling it. 

as for the weight, to make it a little easier, get a longer rope for it.  makes a big difference.  some uhmw runners on the bottom also help.

[slammin slabs]

Clam tc pro thermal nor otters I have a fishtrap pro and love it and it pulls good by hand  if you want the best hands down otter is the best if you are concerned about weight put a set of skis on it and than they pull like a dream just my o2

[IAEYE]

If you shop around you can get a free travel cover and a hoodie with the purchase of a Clam Fish Trap style.  You can't compare apples to apples.  I like the larger tubing.   

[toofuss]

I don't really have a dog in this hunt but I will say I have been fishing out of a frabil for as long as I have been ice fishing. My first shack was a hand me down form my grandpa. I just last year passed that same shack down to my son and it has to be better than 15 years old. Asnfar as I am concerned frabil quality cannot be beat.

[inHISgrip]

I have owned Clam, Frabill and Shapplle  And I know it's the Ford, Chevy.....  Vex ,Marcum.....  Miller, Bud......
Can o worms discussion. But that's what I like about this website we can interact and share our ideas and opinions at the end of the day we all hope we have fun and  catch fish..... I don't think you can go wrong with either brand. Get the one you like the best and will fit what you need and how you fish.....  for me it was the Frabill seats the did it in the end. 

[squ1rr31_]

I like the ability to do whatever you want with the Frabill, I fish by myself a lot, I like the fact I can remove the seat if need be. I have a Trekker 2 which will have a thermal tent by the end of next week and a new deluxe seat.

[CrappieBuster]

The Clams in my opinion have kinda went downhill. And the Frabills somewhat also. Im still rocking a 10+ yr old Frabill XL Twin and shes still hanging in there.  May pull the trigger on a Otter Thermal Cabin though if anyone carried them around me.

[codewordcs1]

The Clams in my opinion have kinda went downhill. And the Frabills somewhat also. Im still rocking a 10+ yr old Frabill XL Twin and shes still hanging in there.  May pull the trigger on a Otter Thermal Cabin though if anyone carried them around me.

I bought my otter t600 at mills so maybe they'll get one this year. I love mine and have fished out of the pro and I would say it's well worth the money spent.

[IAEYE]

Clam Corp has done a great job fixing the issues that have encountered.  Clam also offers the best warranty on the market.  Also there customer service rocks.

[SpoonieLuv]

I have the Frabill Treker DLX and love it, my buddy has an Otter and that rocks too! If I were to buy a new shelter it would probably be an Otter because I like their square poles a little better than my round Frabill ones, they are a bit smoother it seems. The seats on the Otter/Frabil are close to the same and real comfortable.

[addicted to ice fishing]

The Frabil Trekker DLX max seems sweet.............a top cover and tons of storage.  Not sure if it is thermal though...........I'm wanting a thermal.

Check out the shack mods on here.  Look at the reflectix mod.  For a fraction of the extra money for a thermal, you can make your own / better thermal using reflectix. 

[walleyes4*u]

Otter hands down......I have owned clam shelters thru the years and I feel quality has gone down on them....I am not on  Clams Pro staff, just your everday fisherman

[squ1rr31_]

Just got my thermal tent for my Frabill and got it installed last night, talk about high quality! It's like a comforter on a ice shack! I won't have to buy another shack for a looooooooong time!