Help Picking Out A New Wheelhouse

The day has officially come, we’ve outgrown our current shack (6.5×16 Yetti). I’ve pushed it off as long as I could…..but we need more room. It’s been a great shack and will be for sale soon.

It was fine when the kids were little, but they are getting pretty serious about fishing, and also need their own bunk beds. One bunk isn’t cutting it for them (they just turned 5). One night would be fine, or if it was just me and the boys. But multiple nights with all four of us is too much.

I haven’t paid much attention to new shacks lately (to avoid temptation), and need some advice on brands and layouts.

For size I’m thinking of going with an 8×20′, up to maybe a 24′. Hydraulic. NON-RV. Don’t need an awning or other BS. We wouldn’t use it much during the summer, and when we do we have facilities to use.

Looking at the 21′ Yetti ($$$) and various Ice Castles. If it’s an Ice Castle I want a Berkon frame, unless someone can say the copy-cats have greatly improved (I’ve had buddies with problems with the copy-cat Berkons).

Must have the big lift bed in the rear. Preferably empty underneath (like a toyhauler) but doesn’t need a ramp door.

Then mandatory double single bunks. I’d like them at an angle into the vee with a small closet bathroom, but having a hard time finding shacks with that.

I want the most floor space possible, it’s for fishing…..I don’t want a giant shack crammed full of cabinets and countertops and fake fireplaces with 5 fish holes all in the stupidest spots.

Any ideas what to look for? Any other brands I should be looking at? Any specific models you think I’d like?

Open to used too. I’d like to spend between $20-30k

Thanks guys!

Ice Castle Trophy Hunter might be a good fit. Has those bunks you mentioned. I’m the same way when it comes to being frustrated with how ice houses these days veer more towards luxury campers with holes than a structure designed with fishing first and foremost in mind.

I would take a serious look at a black bear house they are spendy though. Talked with these guys at the ice show, they had what I think is the best layout, all holes are fishable versus having them right at your feet like how most others are. They can customize to whatever you want.

Sounds like a custom build is what you want if you are specific in your needs. If you’re looking towards next year then a custom builder would have plenty time to build to your specs. Fish Houses By Tom has some quality custom stuff. I happened to get talking to a guy next to me on the lake a few years back that had one and it was clearly a quality custom build. He stopped short of saying what he paid for it but I’m guessing in your budget it could be done. Might be worth a look.

https://www.fishhousesbytom.com/previous-work

Let me add. I bought a home brew wheel house at the end of last season. It has two doors. One on the side and one in the back. I will never own a fish house with only one door now that I’ve had two. It is so nice not having to stumble across everyones stuff to get out and take pee and handing stuff in and out during set up and take down is so much smoother! Especially if you have kids. You would be forever grateful you did it.

Found a perfect fit.

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Thanks for the advice so far guys

Except for EPG

I listed the Yetti in the classifieds to anyone interested.

I’m gonna miss her

If I could justify two shacks I’d keep it, but I just can’t.

If you were happy with the Yetti why change brands?

Dutchboy wrote:

If you were happy with the Yetti why change brands?

Because a new 21′ Yetti is $40,000-$60,000

I enjoy ice fishing……but not that much lol

Yetti makes a killer house that sets the bar. They are the Ranger of ice fishing.

But I have to draw the line on spending for a newer bigger toy. It would be different if we “RV’d” year-round, but that’s not our thing.

If our current house still fit our family I’d keep it for the next 20 years.

Just trying to help B-man.🤣

Jighead4914 wrote:

Hey B-Man, Check out http://www.Core-ice.com, INTELLI-CORE panel technology gives you the lightest product in the marketplace which is also completely waterproof inside and out. A real insulated value of R-9 for the floor and walls long with a R-15 roof gives you the best insulated trailer on the market. Easier to move, easier to clean, easier to heat/cool, giving you more time to enjoy your next adventure!

Nice house but that all white interior! Ugh…Looks like where you go right after the strait jacket is put on.

Yeah that’s definitely not for me, but thanks for the input.

After having an all cedar interior I don’t think I could switch to anything else.

There’s something just cozy, comfortable and relaxing about it. The smell is wonderful too. Everytime I open the shack door my nose puts a smile on my face

That’s a very nice Yeti @B-man some nice touches. I’m not in the market right now but if I was we’d be talking. Actually if it was 8′ wide we might be talking anyhow. The interior to me is almost as important than anything else on a wheel house. I like purty stuff to look at. Especially after 3 days or so!!
This is the interior in my home brew I have right now. I love it!

Jighead4914 wrote:

Hey B-Man, Check out http://www.Core-ice.com, INTELLI-CORE panel technology gives you the lightest product in the marketplace which is also completely waterproof inside and out. A real insulated value of R-9 for the floor and walls long with a R-15 roof gives you the best insulated trailer on the market. Easier to move, easier to clean, easier to heat/cool, giving you more time to enjoy your next adventure!

They look sweet on the outside but they will find out real soon why they ain’t selling. I would have to be blind to sit inside one. When Glacier first came out, they had similar interiors. All wood now. I think even wood paneling would do to keep price down. I bet if you asked guys, 90% want wood interior.

I have to agree I hate the white interior. I would much rather have wood

Jighead4914 wrote:

Hey eyeguy, you still fish with a flasher? i dont, INTELLI-CORE panel technology gives you the lightest product in the marketplace, You scare of new technology ? And how do you know there not selling?

“Intelli-core” what’s new with this technology? It’s thin aluminum on each side with foam inside. Same thing walk in coolers and freezers have been made from for 50 years

Jughead4914- I hope you’re not employed by or related in anyway with Core-Ice because your people skills…well…SUCK.

Chill out a bit and respect others opinions without immediately going on the defensive. And maybe work on your tact a bit.

The Core houses are definitely nice in their own way. It’s good to see competition and innovation in the market. I always check them out at shows but no matter what color the panels come in, they’re not my design preference.

Holy balls I just did a little search for a CORE- used 2017 model and only 6.5×11′ asking $14,500. That’s a lotta coin for a day shack.

Jighead- how long have you worked for them and do you know of any other used ones for sale?

Jighead4914 wrote:

Hey eyeguy, you still fish with a flasher? i dont,

I still fish with a flasher, works great for me. What do you fish with?

Ice Cap wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jighead4914 wrote:</div>
Hey B-Man, Check out http://www.Core-ice.com, INTELLI-CORE panel technology gives you the lightest product in the marketplace which is also completely waterproof inside and out. A real insulated value of R-9 for the floor and walls long with a R-15 roof gives you the best insulated trailer on the market. Easier to move, easier to clean, easier to heat/cool, giving you more time to enjoy your next adventure!

Nice house but that all white interior! Ugh…Looks like where you go right after the strait jacket is put on.

Agree 100%. Wood interior all the way for me

On my second firebrand. First house was phenomenal, juries still out on current one. Haven’t ice fished it but once so far. Had a furnace issue (was something really stupid and has nothing to do with manufacturers both firebrand or Dometic), and issues with two jacks this last weekend on Red. We Camped in it all last summer with no issues. They are a little less $ than Yetti, but built very similar. I believe two owners of yetti, one split off to start firebrand several years ago. I don’t care for the Core, they seem like a surgical room to me. Doesn’t feel real homey. Nice houses for sure. But not my thing. If you have any questions about the firebrands let me know.

Drifter.

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I have a 2015 Team Lodge fish house for sale. It’s an awesome shack, selling because I just don’t use it much.

PM if you would like pics or any info

Have you looked at the firebrand minnewaska or ice castle trophy hunter? If ice castle, get galvanized.

Drifter,
Where’s the flag and strobe???
I’d think about getting my money back.

Polar Crib is another one you could check out.

Dusty Gesinger wrote:

Have you looked at the firebrand minnewaska or ice castle trophy hunter? If ice castle, get galvanized.

After researching and researching and consulting with friends, we’ve dialed it in.

We’ve also looked at a few new and used shacks.

I’d love another Yetti, but what we’d want is north of $35,000…..not going to spend that much…..

Just as you suggested, we’ll most likely end up with a newer Trophy Hunter with a galvanized GS or Berkon frame.

My wife loves the high ceilings and fiberglass exterior on the newer 21′ models.

If Momma ain’t happy….ain’t nobody happy (hence the entire reason we’re getting a bigger shack)

B-Man, I’d check with some and Ice Castle dealer. They do custom houses however you like. We built ours based on one of their models, but added and took away some features as well to get it to our liking. They will do almost anything you want and get it built that way. I’m sure a few dealer won’t take the time but there are a few that will like Smokey Hills or Park n’ Sell.

Bigwalleye30 wrote:

B-Man, I’d check with some and Ice Castle dealer. They do custom houses however you like. We built ours based on one of their models, but added and took away some features as well to get it to our liking. They will do almost anything you want and get it built that way. I’m sure a few dealer won’t take the time but there are a few that will like Smokey Hills or Park n’ Sell.

That’s exactly what we’re looking at doing right now. It’s proving difficult to find what we want.

I plan on keeping the shack for awhile like the last one, so we want to be happy with it.

Having a galvanized frame is a must, and there are so few out there.

About 2% of Ice Castles are galvanized, why more people don’t get that option is baffling…..?????

In five-ten years the market is going to be flooded with beautiful shacks that all have rusty shitty frames…..

After talking with an Ice Castle owner today, we just might step up to a full RV version. He uses his water, shower and toilet all the time during the winter on longer trips.

The way the are plumbed now makes it a quick 5-10 minute job to re-winterize.

There’s an RV sewer drop 5 minutes from my house, or I could just grab my manhole hook and use the city manhole in front of my driveway

Decisions, decisions

B-man wrote:

There’s an RV sewer drop 5 minutes from my house, or I could just grab my manhole hook and use the city manhole in front of my driveway

Decisions, decisions

Ha!

She’s a beaut Clark

Check out Legend Outdoors fish houses. I’ve been searching now, bad idea, for a future house and have been torn between a Yetti and Legend. I’ve gotten a few prices from then on a 24′ that was just over your budget with double bunks and ramp doors in the back. They are more of a custom shop though.