Frabill portables

[whiteoakbuck]

how many of you use the Frabill portable shacks? what do you think of them and post some pics if you have one thanks

[The General]

I have been looking at new portables and I would not hesitate to buy a Frabill.  I currently have the very first 2 man flip over clam with the original canvas and it's seen it's better days.  From my research the best deal I see going on right now with the things i want (cushy seats, room to stand up, price, well built sled (otter has the best sled)) is the clam voyager.

[Wyofish]

I have a smaller Frabill flipover that I just bought from Fawkinnae. Only used it once, but happy with it so far. Will post some pics when I get home from work.

[DDSBYDAY]

  I have a Frabill Commando one man.  No tubes to extend.  Pull it over and you are fishing.   

[glenn57]

  I have a Frabill Commando one man.  No tubes to extend.  Pull it over and you are fishing.   

general says it still smell brand new too!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mathews4ever]

  I have a Frabill Commando one man.  No tubes to extend.  Pull it over and you are fishing.   

That's what I like about my Shapell. Extending the tubes sucks when they are all frosty and froze together.

[whiteoakbuck]

  I have a Frabill Commando one man.  No tubes to extend.  Pull it over and you are fishing.   

does that one have a pretty thick canvas on it?

[The General]

I would never recommend a one man fish house unless you are looking for extreme portability.  I know I would never have enough room to carry the fishing poles, vex, ice auger, beverages, light, tackle, etc.  Plus it's really nice to have a place to set stuff in the seat next to you if you changing lures, etc. or a friend tags along.   Plus if you are on the fish it's always nice to have that extra room for a hole with a set line.  I will usually plop down a line with a bobber and a big shiner.  No need to mess with that pole unless it's going to be a big fish.

[DDSBYDAY]

  The Frabill has plenty thick canvas.  It does ice up on the inside.  I am sure there are things that can be done about that.  I also have an otter 2 man.  My sled and fishing room is about the same for them both.  The only difference is you fish out of the back of the sled in the one man instead of the side like the two man otter.    The one man weighs in at about 60 lbs.  I am looking at some kind of a hitch platform so I would not have to unload it to get it in the back in the truck.

[HD]

I got a 2 man Frabill, it replaced a clam voyager...both are nice fish houses.
The only thing I do not like about the frabill, is the multable holes in the poles.
The Voyager only has one set of holes, as to the Frabill has 4....why? I don't know, they are not needed.
I'm thinking about re-making those poles to do away with the extra holes.

[The General]

I got a 2 man Frabill, it replaced a clam voyager...both are nice fish houses.
The only thing I do not like about the frabill, is the multable holes in the poles.
The Voyager only has one set of holes, as to the Frabill has 4....why? I don't know, they are not needed.
I'm thinking about re-making those poles to do away with the extra holes.

Hey does that Voyager have the nice swivel padded seats with like a cup holder/storage between the 2 seats.  If so I might know of a guy interested in purchasing 

[whiteoakbuck]

I got a 2 man Frabill, it replaced a clam voyager...both are nice fish houses.
The only thing I do not like about the frabill, is the multable holes in the poles.
The Voyager only has one set of holes, as to the Frabill has 4....why? I don't know, they are not needed.
I'm thinking about re-making those poles to do away with the extra holes.

what model 2 man frabill do you have?

[HD]

I got a 2 man Frabill, it replaced a clam voyager...both are nice fish houses.
The only thing I do not like about the frabill, is the multable holes in the poles.
The Voyager only has one set of holes, as to the Frabill has 4....why? I don't know, they are not needed.
I'm thinking about re-making those poles to do away with the extra holes.

Hey does that Voyager have the nice swivel padded seats with like a cup holder/storage between the 2 seats.  If so I might know of a guy interested in purchasing 

Mine is like yours...one of the very first Voyagers they made. It has the seats that clip on a bench, and can be moved from side to side.

[HD]

I got a 2 man Frabill, it replaced a clam voyager...both are nice fish houses.
The only thing I do not like about the frabill, is the multable holes in the poles.
The Voyager only has one set of holes, as to the Frabill has 4....why? I don't know, they are not needed.
I'm thinking about re-making those poles to do away with the extra holes.

what model 2 man frabill do you have?

I'm not sure which model it is, I'd have to go out in the barn and look. I got a pic of it some where's on this site.... 
Anywho....It's a couple years old now, still holding up great. It has a bench seat in that one as well. Thicker canvas than the voyager, and the black color holds heat in better. On sunny days, don't even need a heater.

If I remember, I'll go out and look....

[Wyofish]

Here is my Frabill 2 man flipover. I wouldn't get anything smaller. Works great when by myself. 2 is a little cozy. I would definitely spend a bit extra for cushioned swivel seats. You can also put them in yourself. I can drag it by myself no problem with all my stuff in the sled. Fishable area is about 5' x 4.5'. With a heater, 2 holes, and minnow bucket, this gives me a nice amount of space.

[glenn57]

Here is my Frabill 2 man flipover. I wouldn't get anything smaller. Works great when by myself. 2 is a little cozy. I would definitely spend a bit extra for cushioned swivel seats. You can also put them in yourself. I can drag it by myself no problem with all my stuff in the sled. Fishable area is about 5' x 4.5'. With a heater, 2 holes, and minnow bucket, this gives me a nice amount of space.

looks cozy enough for me and the Swedish bikini team!!!!!!!11

[Wyofish]

No offense, but I might leave you behind if the Swedish bikini team wants to ice fish.  

[whiteoakbuck]

Here is my Frabill 2 man flipover. I wouldn't get anything smaller. Works great when by myself. 2 is a little cozy. I would definitely spend a bit extra for cushioned swivel seats. You can also put them in yourself. I can drag it by myself no problem with all my stuff in the sled. Fishable area is about 5' x 4.5'. With a heater, 2 holes, and minnow bucket, this gives me a nice amount of space.

what model is this one?

[whiteoakbuck]

anyone know what new model frabill is most similar to the Ice cruiser 200 model? the treker looks to be pretty close but i could be wrong

[Wyofish]

Not sure what model mine is. I know it came with a bench seat, and Fawkinnae replaced it with swivel seats. It's probably at least 4 years old. Looks like the Treker maybe. I would pay attention to the fishable area and what the seats are like.

[Cody Gruchow]

I bought a new clam nanook(sp) last season. It has plenty of room. seats are comfortable and cushioned and recline. plenty of space for fishing. the vex 2 heaters if its really that cold out. only thing I wish I would of done was spend the extra money on the thermal canvas so it holds heat better.

[The General]

Yep exactly what Wyofish said.  One thing I've noticed on many other fish houses is in regards to the fishable area.  If you a running a sunflower heater it seems with the new houses if their paper thin canvas even gets a whiff of the heater it has a hole in it.  So the bigger that area is the less chance of the heater rubbing up against it.  My old clam has a lot heavier canvas but it's pretty much shot just from years of abuse.  However the heater has touched the canvas many times and not put a hole in it yet.

[Boar]

I have the old otter lodge an the canvas is that like a tarp, thick green material, over the years too its taken alot of abuse, the only injury reported was when the zipper doo flopped intot eh sunflower heater an the plastic zipper melted an ignited the canvas. just dnt have the heart to get rid of it. i replce the poles with electrical conduit an the poles slide much esier with more varience between. if I was to get new itd be a nother other otter

[deadeye]

I have one of these - Shappell DX3000.  I've had it for several years now but have never had it on the ice.  I believe it's around 4X6 feet. 


I also have one of these.  Frabill Speed Shack XL.  It's a 6x6. This is the one I use most of the time.

[whiteoakbuck]

Should be a fun ice season picked up a frabill ice 200 and my brother picked up a clam sixpack

[whiteoakbuck]

new shack