Help me decide

[JohnJ1981]

I can’t make up my mind between the Eskimo wide 1 inferno and the Eskimo Sierra thermal. Is one more easily set up than the other? Is 20 pounds heavier going to break me if I decide to not use the snowmobile to pull it? One more rugged or versatile than the other? PLEASE HELP
Thank you in advance for any help!!!

[FlamDragger]

If you’re pulling by hand, the terrain determines your level of exertion. Pulling an extra twenty pounds uphill, or through knee-deep slush can make a huge difference.

[JohnJ1981]

Good point. Though if I’m pulling in slush, minus 20lbs will still kick my @$$ after 50 yards 😬

[Mancaveburnett]

My biggest mistake when i bought my flipover was going for the bells and whistles/ size and height rather than looking at weight. My advice for anyone is stay light. Im healthy and in good shape but I walk a ways if the ice isnt ready for the machines.

[JohnJ1981]

I typically use this when the ice is thin. 

[jrjach75]

Are you planning on using the Sierra as a one man? Most of the weight is in the seats, you can remove one, I think its just a couple of pins to remove. My buddy has the Sierra, I helped him assemble it a couple seasons ago so I got a real good look at it. It's pretty nice, only complaint I had, and this is minor, is that the seats themselves sit a little bit lower than I'd like. Otherwise, its a good flip over, nicer than I though it would be considering the price.

[JohnJ1981]

Thanks so much everyone for the help. I think I’m gonna roll the dice on the Sierra.
God Bless!

[Joe in T.C.]

I have an old clam Guide that I just replaced the tent with a thermal one.

This was the smallest two-man flip over made at the time.

I only installed one seat centered on the tub.

Now I have a large one-man with room for all my gear. Without the second seat, it's not a lot heavier than a typical one-man.

But loaded with gear it can be on the heavy side, especially since I pull it by hand.

Now comes in the amazing advantages of using a Smitty Sled.

I've found that the best fishing is not always right off the boat launch So I have often pulled this up to a mile or so with no issues.

I used downhill skis to build my Smitty Sled and keep the skis waxed with Swix. I also keep an extra bar of wax in the shanty for touch-ups.

Of course, when the snow and slush are too deep to walk through I've seen guys use snowshoes with a pop-up strapped their backpacks.

Good Luck All 


 

[JohnJ1981]

I have an old clam Guide that I just replaced the tent with a thermal one.

This was the smallest two-man flip over made at the time.

I only installed one seat centered on the tub.

Now I have a large one-man with room for all my gear. Without the second seat, it's not a lot heavier than a typical one-man.

But loaded with gear it can be on the heavy side, especially since I pull it by hand.

Now comes in the amazing advantages of using a Smitty Sled.

I've found that the best fishing is not always right off the boat launch So I have often pulled this up to a mile or so with no issues.

I used downhill skis to build my Smitty Sled and keep the skis waxed with Swix. I also keep an extra bar of wax in the shanty for touch-ups.

Of course, when the snow and slush are too deep to walk through I've seen guys use snowshoes with a pop-up strapped their backpacks.

Good Luck All 

Awesome Joe! If you see a malamute or husky pulling a sled before it’s safe to snowmobile on long lake or lake Leelanau stop by!
Cold cant get here quick enough. I’m tired of working 90+ hours a week and can’t wait to try my new shack out. Hopefully Elmer’s lets me go back to 40-50 hours (make my own schedule) this winter!

[Chris338378]

I can’t make up my mind between the Eskimo wide 1 inferno and the Eskimo Sierra thermal. Is one more easily set up than the other? Is 20 pounds heavier going to break me if I decide to not use the snowmobile to pull it? One more rugged or versatile than the other? PLEASE HELP
Thank you in advance for any help!!!

I don't know if you realize this or not but the Eskimo Wide1 Inferno is a one person shelter and the Sierra Thermal is a two person shelter. 

[kayl]

I'd go with the Sierra

[BeenPerchin315]

Not sure about those two models but lighter is better, the reason this year I am getting a therm hideout out over my them otter cabin. And a big thing ive found is especially in a 1 man is the poles, your prolly going to want ridged poles instead of telescoping unless you like making noise when sneaking up on the elusive eyes as I like to try. Either way I prefer an otter after using one for a number of years but those are the things I would look at in a flip.

[Chris338378]

Lighter is nice but there's definitely going to be a weight difference when you compare a one man and two man shelter.  No matter which he goes with I'd suggest he builds a Smitty Sled for it which will make the pull a lot easier.

[smitty0312]

Throw a Smitty sled under it.....it will make your life a whole lot easier

[Joe in T.C.]

Awesome Joe! If you see a malamute or husky pulling a sled before it’s safe to snowmobile on long lake or lake Leelanau stop by!
Cold cant get here quick enough. I’m tired of working 90+ hours a week and can’t wait to try my new shack out. Hopefully Elmer’s lets me go back to 40-50 hours (make my own schedule) this winter!

Sled Dogs are great, I will look for you early ice.

Last fall I saw a guy with a dog sled rigged up with wheels on it taking his dogs out for a run down by the library. It was very cool, he said it was preseason to get his team ready.

Good Luck All