I just ordered an Otter XT Pro Cabin and was wondering how much assembly is required. There wasn’t anything put together when I bought my clam and I want to have an idea of how much ice time I’m going to loose.
I bought one a few weeks ago. I took my time so it would get done right. It took me 7 hrs start to finish. I must say this is one sweet fish house.
That’s pretty much what I was expecting. I am looking forward to fishing in this thing. I appreciate everyone’s input. Good luck on the ice.
I just put together the cottage pro. I did it over 2 days time but that was due mostly because I started late at night on the first day. I added the hifax runners which is pretty time consuming to put on. Probably took me and a buddy about 5-6 hours total and im not very handy plus I was using hand tools not power tools. I was also very cautious about reading through things before I took action. This last part I would recommend as the instructions are rather poor! Take your time, read through things carefully, and I would recommend searching the web for previous posts regarding what to look out for with otter assemblies. For example, most people say you should mount the screws for the crossbar about half and inch to a full inch lower than the directions say. Along with doing this I also took Will Rosenberg’s suggestion and put electrical tap around all of the self tapping screws as people complained that they would rattle out with time. One thing I did wrong is in putting the seat up and down. Its a VERY tight fit to get the seat to lower down onto the crossbar and I ended up muscling it too much the first few weeks I had it and now my crossbar brackets are bent pretty bad. Still supports the chair but I may need to replace at some point. Do as some others have suggested and apply some WD-40 on the crossbar and nudge it on the crossbar with care. You’ll still have to apply some force but do it carefully. Ive read it will get easier with use.
Read the directions carefully and take your time, you’ll get it done.
they are terrific fish houses BTW! I went from fishing in an old clam fish trap to this and its as if I traded my 1968 winnebego converted fish house for a 2016 Team Lodge! Enjoy
I just knocked one out this morning in under 2 hrs. Granted, this is my 3rd in 3 yrs so I didn’t even look at the instructions. I invested probably an hour more putting on the hyfax and assembling the tow bar assembly yesterday.
One mistake that I did make is over-tightening a couple of the self taping screws on the frame assembly with an impact driver. The aluminum gets stripped and the screws fall out. I just make a new hole 1/4″ away and re-insert the screws to make sure everything is solid.
you are going to loose time or ice time no matter what!!! because it takes time to assemble it…that should not even be a consideration because that is the cost of putting an ice shed together…you are going to loose time no matter what…4 to 5 hours should do it… good luck!!!
I just said ice time because I’m supposed to get it next Friday. Ice time is a little harder to come by than regular time. Especially since we got a late start this year.
Is the cover already attached to the sled or do you have to put it on yourself?
Is the cover already attached to the sled or do you have to put it on yourself?
You have to do that….easy to do…
Took me about 2 1/2 hrs myself but although it’s been a few years I’ve done it before as well.
A couple pro tips…
In case they didn’t mention where you bought it Otter added marks on the sleds themselves that show exactly where to drill holes.
Like Phil mentioned It is very easy to strip the self tapping screws so put them in gently
For that reason I always wrap the screws on the frame with electrical tap in case I did over (or under) tighten a but they won’t vibrate loose.
Also when putting on the fabric leave the Velcro straps nice and loose to allow some movement of the fabric on the frame.
Will
Took me about 2 1/2 hrs myself but although it’s been a few years I’ve done it before as well.
A couple pro tips…
In case they didn’t mention where you bought it Otter added marks on the sleds themselves that show exactly where to drill holes.
Like Phil mentioned It is very easy to strip the self tapping screws so put them in gently
For that reason I always wrap the screws on the frame with electrical tap in case I did over (or under) tighten a but they won’t vibrate loose.
Also when putting on the fabric leave the Velcro straps nice and loose to allow some movement of the fabric on the frame.
Will
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