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Ok, what is a good two man shanty/hut to buy and where to buy on line? I also would like to purchase one of those sleds with covers that you haul with a sled/ATV, what type/brand is best for Lake Erie and small lakes?
I saw a lot of guys dragging the sleds but wondered what type of shanty they had to be able to fit it all in?
I have had both a Clam & Eskimo 2 man. The Eskimo seemed to be better quality and more roomy. You have a bunch of choices on size, insulated, depending on how much you want to spend. I have one suggestion that I recently did. I made a "smitty sled." both were hard to pull in the snow and the smitty sled is a great option. I have used it on lake erie. Google Smitty Sled and see the pics.
Otter has the best sled base and square tube frame if your looking for a flip over. Check with Frank's in Linwood MI. Vast knowledge
Thanks, I read the Otter but it says they only ship to certain states. If anyone has pics of rig set and not set I would like to see. Not worried about this year but want to have something for next year.
Keep in mind that if your hauling a set up with atv or snowmobile to prepare for the worst. They tip over (shanty's) when pulled. Or your gonna go slow, very slow and even then????? Gotta button everything down. I put fir strips under lips and put 3/8' eye bolts through and secure with wratchet straps. My buddy keeps his poles in a pole holder on his back. maded a rack for auger & milk crates to hold buckets which in turn hold bait. Its a process of improvement as you go. LOL
I really like the Eskimo brand. I pull my Eskimo behind a quad and also behind a 6x6 Polaris ranger. This last week we went out 4 days, about 6-8 miles each day, we moved a couple times, and my GPS shows my speed between 18-28 MPH. I hit some pretty big shoves that I didn't see in time that I thought for sure were going damage or flip the sled... I have never had my sled flip. I do have the 3 man sled & shanty and it has a little larger base than most 2 man. However, the Eskimo FlipMo 2 Inferno (Inferno means its insulated) has the same size sled and same footprint as the 3 man, and the seats swivel! I have already ordered the Eskimo FlipMo 2 Inferno for next year. They aren't shipping until August this year. The shanty is attached to the sled (as with most any brand you buy "Clam" "FraBil" etc...) from the time I pull up to my spot until the shanty is fully set up on the ice is less than 1 minute (this will also be the case with any good brand flip system).
The seats you see are permanently installed, but they flip down. I fit 4 - 5 gal. buckets in the sled, plus a 20lb propane tank with heater (seen in pic) That all fits behind the seats. I then put all my rods under the seats from the front, and I have a TON! of room left in the shanty sled to travel. The only thing that I do not put in the shanty is the auger. The shovel and everything else all fit in the shanty for towing. The nice thing is that you can set the shanty up without having to move or unload any gear... you can do that once it is set up and the heat is on!
The Eskimo is a great product and amazing customer support should you ever have a problem. I had a crack in one of the plastic windows.. they answered the phone right away, asked me the model & serial #, and shipped me a new one.
A few more pics of the Eskimo Shanty
Thanks Matt, so where is the best place to purchase from? So tell me more on how you fish your flip up? When you want out, do you go through door or flip up? Does the skirting sit flat to keep wind from cooling things down. What stabelizes the sled/shanty when two guys are sitting on the one side of it? Do you set heater in front of or behind you? What is best price on the 3 man eskimo flip?
I don't know if they carry the model you are looking for but~~ Here is a site that has several brands including Eskimo as well as good prices and they allow you to spread your purchase of $150.00 or more over 4 months if you have decent credit. You have to join and the cost is $29.99 but usually you get that back and then some in savings with a major purchase. Click on boating & fishing in the left side menu and then on the far right there will be the ice fishing gear. I bought my remote kicker steering, The Panther electro steer T4 for $439.00 and that included the membership fee. That is at least $50.00 cheaper than any other place that I found. Then you also get 2 coupons worth $10.00 each for your next 2 purchases. Took less than a week to get my items and they were well packaged.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/club/clubtour.aspx
Otter hands down. They have the best made sleds available. I've been pulling them on Erie ice for years without any problems. I cant say that about the Clams I had, the tubs would crack.The only downfall they are not a cheap shanty or something you want to pull by hand, they are heavy.
Thornebros.com has shanties on sale, and if you ship to someone that have a business address it will save you some money. Franks has been sold out of otter for awhile
ive never had a problem with mine flipping with the factory tow bar, but then again I don't 50mph like some.......
I just bought an otter lodge.....the full insulated one.....cheapest was on amazon with the free shipping....plan to use it ONLY behind the ATV.
Hey Eye Doctor, did you get the XT650 lodge or 1200 lodge. Can't find any 650's in stock with free shipping.
Try looking at franks in linwood, or northwoods in pinconing. Both just over alittle over 2 hr drive north of toledo... Plus they a a welth of information.... A great day trip. Franks will also deal on the marked price. They also have shanty days,,, like the first weekend in dec. So you could wait till next year just before the season. They make them down that weekend..... Good luck
I got the 1200...But I also pay $ 80 or so a year for amazon prime...don't remember but that may be why it was free shipping...I use amazon a lot.
franks has been out of OTTERS for awhile now......... to good of ice this season:DQuote:
Originally Posted by KRAMHAYS
I don't want to hijack your tread, but if you're interested in the Otter sled/shanty, I have an Otter "Cabin" model with all the add ons. (hitch, cover, one seat, and hyfax runners installed.) Used it one time. New, over $600. I'd sell it for $375.00.Quote:
Originally Posted by PirateMike
Iam interrested in your otter my BigDan
BigDan, sent you a PM.
Mike,Quote:
Originally Posted by PirateMike
Sorry, I haven't been on here for a week... There are plenty of windows in the Eskimo (or any good shanty), you enter through a door. Yes, there is a skirt that completely surrounds the shanty (as any good brand shanty will have) that lays on the ice and stops the wind. The seats are bolted into the sled and when you are sitting in the shanty "you" are weighing the shanty down. When you set up a shanty they are designed to have their "back" to the wind. In 35 -40 MPH I wouldn't think twice about walking away from the shanty and leaving it by itself. There are shanties that require anchors and tie downs... A good shanty with a sled should not require tiedowns. Keep in mind that the shanty is connected to the sled, and the sled has all of your gear in it. My sled probably has 75 lbs or more of gear... all of that weight is holding the shanty in place.
The heater I use is massive! I have a ton of room inside (this is something that you need to consider heavily when looking at shanties), I use a radiant heater on top of a 20lb propane cylinder... most people use a "Buddy Heater" that uses the small propane cylinders... Many shanties do not have room for my heater, and most guys would tell you that my heater is WAY overkill... I keep it on low, and 2 weeks ago when it was -18 degrees and blowing my shanty was 65 degrees and we were fishing in our t-shirts. The "Buddy Heaters" will keep it plenty warm and most guys want to be a little cold anyway... isn't that kinda what ice fishing is all about?
The Eskimo FlipMo 2 Inferno is insulated and runs about $600 + You should be able to find an Eskimo 2 man or 3 man for under $500. Mine is not insulated, but I don't need it insulated as I heat mine.
-Matt
Thanks guys, I ended up buying the Otter 650 Lodge, initially wanted the Cabin but found late season price for same as I could have picked up Cabin so went with Lodge, just hope it isn't too large/heavy. Didn't see Time4one or I might have looked at yours........oh well, day late and dollar short.