01-16-2007, 10:36 PM
Many people seem to like the lack of a floor in some of these newer ice fishing tents. I don't have one of that style, and there are two things I really don't like about it. One is stability: you can't hold the tent in place in a wind by sitting in there (keeping yourself warm as well). The second thing is protection...protection from both cold and water. Keeping your feet up out of the water and slush, even if you have waterproof boots, is one of the biggest things you can do to keep your trip comfortable. Also, having that layer between you and the slush / snow /ice, even if the layer is just a plastic clamshell, does help to insulate against the cold coming off the ice.
The Frabil shack material seems to be as good as, or better than any other at absorbing the little heat coming off the sun, and insulating the heat into the shack. I have been out in some very cold days in my Frabil XL, and been just cozy inside the shack, sometimes even shedding the coat with minimal heat used (Mr. Buddy heater).
Yes, my shack is a royal pain in the....err....you know what I mean...to drag out on the ice, and I'm thinking of getting another Jet Sled to throw the shack on when dragging it since the Jet Sled glides on the snow better (the shack just pushes snow along). However, I think the inconvenience of the shack is out-weighed by the comforts and usability, especially in colder weather.
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The Frabil shack material seems to be as good as, or better than any other at absorbing the little heat coming off the sun, and insulating the heat into the shack. I have been out in some very cold days in my Frabil XL, and been just cozy inside the shack, sometimes even shedding the coat with minimal heat used (Mr. Buddy heater).
Yes, my shack is a royal pain in the....err....you know what I mean...to drag out on the ice, and I'm thinking of getting another Jet Sled to throw the shack on when dragging it since the Jet Sled glides on the snow better (the shack just pushes snow along). However, I think the inconvenience of the shack is out-weighed by the comforts and usability, especially in colder weather.
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