wanted to know if anybody has a rover 1.0 or the 1.5 made by shappell, plus where can i buy one, any comments would be nice thanks pattttt 
December 28, 2005 at 5:03 pm
#1248378
SHAPPELL PORTABLES
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December 28, 2005 at 6:35 pm #407107
Nice
December 28, 2005 at 6:45 pm #407110Welcome Icerookie!
Pay no attention to the goofballs behind the curtain! 
I looked up the Shappell’s on their website, and see that they compare well with the size of the Otter Dens. Otter uses heavy duty canvas in their houses, and square tubing for their frames. MUCH better if you ever plan to put these up when it it VERY cold out! Also notice the Otters have a zip open door so that you can bank them in, and not have to lift the whole shack to get out! Big plus if you are fishing a lake like Mille Lacs in the wind! The sleds are made right at the Otter factory, and are stiffer and more robust than any other I have seen. To compare, click Here And you can have a peek for yourself. If you have any questions, let me know. You can find them at Gander, Cabellas, or hit the “Find Dealer” link on the Otter website.
Good luck!
TuckDecember 28, 2005 at 7:03 pm #407115
Quote:
Pay no attention to the goofballs behind the curtain!
They meant no harm, just a couple jokesters trolling for a laugh.
As Eye-Guide stated, welcome. I’m sure you’ll find a nice home here.
I’ve seen lots of Otter products on the ice and can attest to their quality. I don’t have an Otter(yet) but do know, they make an excellent, well built ice shack. I don’t believe you can go wrong buying an Otter.
Good luck shopping. I hope you find something to fit your needs.
December 28, 2005 at 8:09 pm #407143Welcome to IDA!
Quote:
wanted to know if anybody has a rover 1.0 or the 1.5 made by shappell
I’m not sure which model of shappell I had…it was the one man…it worked fine for me (for my first portable)…one thing I learned was that the “apron” wouldn’t connect to the sled…which left a 3 to 5 inch opening on both sides…not a big deal…until it’s cold and windy!
The other thing was the conduit corroded and screws rusted.
That was my experiance with them anyway.
Good luck on your choice and let us know what you decided!
By the way…AlvinMack doesn’t look like the picture…he looks worse than the picture!
December 28, 2005 at 8:51 pm #407154December 28, 2005 at 9:07 pm #407165Yep, that’s Mack. Only a face his mother could produce….
December 28, 2005 at 9:15 pm #407171Quote:
Yep, that’s Mack. Only a face his mother could produce….
Ouch!
Thats harsh! Funny! But harsh! December 28, 2005 at 9:24 pm #407178Pat, just nosey…why were you looking for that brand portable? Friend have one?
Just wondering…If you don’t mind me asking.
December 29, 2005 at 1:13 am #407235seen it in a magazine but havent seen in person looking for a one person house for a good price
December 29, 2005 at 1:44 am #407244If you buy on price alone, you may be paying for it in the long run. Pardon the pun. In this case, ask yourself what you really want. To me, the fact that you can zip open the door, and bank in the shack is HUGE! A small heater will keep you toasty warm! Thin round tubing is a thing of the past. Cheap-yes, but what good is it when it is minus 10, and you cannot get your shack set up?
TuckDecember 29, 2005 at 1:52 am #407252I have to agree in the “Get what you Pay for” note that Eye-Guide spoke of…
I have been using Otter houses for several years now and have lived thru the development stages and these guys cater to us ice fisherman…
And dollar for dollar you will not find a better pull over shack then the Otter…I have been on the ice for quite some time and I have used several different houses…I have not found a better quality house then the otter…Want to test one out…ask any of the staff guys here on IDA, and I’m sure you will be able to meet up with one or more on the ice and allow you to kick theirs around a bit…
December 29, 2005 at 3:15 am #407276Alvin…you always win ’cause no one wants to
catch you… Pat, If you’re just getting a one man for a couple days fishing per year…it won’t matter what brand you get…but Eye Guide made a good point “thin conduit” is out…and because I had a Shappell one man…I would recomend that you hose out the tubing anytime you can (without it freezing) and use something like WD-40 on all nuts/bolts and the tubing…if you want it to last.
I haven’t owned an Otter…but did a lot of research last year when buying an new 3 man. IMO Otter and Polar were neck and neck…although the Otters had the edge with the square tubing….I ended up with a Polar because I found a great price on the model I was looking at.
Bottom line…
What do you want out of your portable…want it to last..reliability, how much are you going to use it?
It’s a hard decision…but I can tell you everyone I know that has an Otter is happy with theirs…I can’t say that with some “other” brands.
Good Luck!
Feel free to ask more specific questions…these guys are very willing to help people with their YEARS of experiance… unlike me they are all old(er).
December 29, 2005 at 4:08 am #407288Before anyone looks at a portable, make sure you have the opportunity to fish out of a Otter Portable. They are the most durable house made. This time of year I’m using my Otter Lodge daily. I have been pulling it out onto Mille Lacs puting on 10-20 miles each day. My house get’s used and it’s holds up like a tank. They are by far the best built house on the market today. They will not be the cheapest, but I believe you are paying for what you get!
Check them out before you buy!!!
December 29, 2005 at 5:43 am #407296Any thoughts on the Eskimo – Quick flip? I used a friends and although I haven’t fished out of an otter the bench in the Eskimo was handy.
December 29, 2005 at 5:56 am #407299December 29, 2005 at 5:57 am #407301December 29, 2005 at 6:00 am #407303December 29, 2005 at 6:08 am #407304I had a bench seat with my Shappell…
And “buckets” with my polar now…
It’s really a toss up to personal preferance…normally the bench seat will weigh more…weight is important when your dragging in snow our up steep banks…Ask ME I’M OLD!
On the bigger houses a bench is nice because you can lay down on them…but it’s uncomfortable to reach around them (and that’s where everything is) to grab what ever you have stored back there…
You can tell…I chose the bucket style seets for my house.
A person should fish out of both before buying…’cause I can tell you what I like and why…don’t mean squat if you prefer the other.
December 29, 2005 at 2:05 pm #407361Yup,
I purchased an Otter this year and it is by far the best shack I have ever owned or fished out of. The have the best materials and will really warm up nice of you have a small heater. I hate the cold but love to Ice fish. You Otter think about getting one of these.
jcDecember 29, 2005 at 2:34 pm #407380
Quote:
You Otter think about getting one of these.
ohhhh JC December 29, 2005 at 2:34 pm #407381I got a chance to fish out of BOBBERS otter this weekend and I can tell you that it is the nicest flip-over style shack I have ever fished out of. The square tubing,the style of the seat(comfort)and the ability to have all of you junk organizied and at your fingertips make the otter my next choice in a fish shack.
just my .02
wallerbass1December 29, 2005 at 3:01 pm #407401Cory…I know this place that you can get a Free Otter when you buy a vehical before the end of Feb…
It’s kind of a secret…but shoot me a pm and I’ll let you in on it….
December 31, 2005 at 2:31 pm #407976Thanks for all the input I will be saveing more of my pennys and purchasing a otter
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