Otter Outdoors adds WARMER!!

Otter Outdoors continues to lead the ice fishing industry with innovative fishing equipment for the “Iceheads” on the move. Otter Outdoors truly understands that elite caliber fish simply do not sit in one location thus the need for portable houses. From the backwaters of the “Mighty Miss” to the border waters of Rainy Lake “Blue Camo” speckles the otherwise white blanket of winter. For many years now we’ve relied on our Otter houses to bring us where no other man has traveled before or dares to. TOUGHER….STONGER….SMARTER has been a bold slogan hardcore “Ice Junkies” like myself depend on each season, and frankly take on this personality. This year they’ve outdone themselves with a “Flurry” of activity in their off-season. I’d suggest they may need to add…..WARMER to this years slogan. At our camp Otter Outdoors is TOUGHER, STRONGER, SMARTER……….. and WARMER than the competition!!

Otter truly designs products by listening to their customers. There is seldom one product that is perfect for everyone. We all desire a product that best fits our needs. In no way was this house designed soley by my request, but it happens to be that my #1 personal “WANT” was a Thermal house for the heart of a Minnesota winter in “MANLAND”; An insulated house that can darn near be heated with a candle when the Mercury plummets. Those cold January mornings when we’re cracking those big walleyes can often times be a touch on the chilly side in the “Ice Box” of the nation. I assure you the all new Otter Pro series will be simply priceless for all anglers that consider warmth a top priority. This new design will surely raise the fun meter for many ice anglers while enjoying the outdoors this winter!!

As always this house is to be built with Otter Outdoors quality for the men that really do it all year long baby!! I’ve always said there simply is no room for error in equipment when it’s cold outside. Your equipment must be up to the task whle being efficiently designed to serve you on the “Sheet”. I commend Otter Outdoors for continuing there mission to serve ice fisherman with a simply dominate product line up while avoiding any SHORT CUTS!! I believe purchasing the best ice fishing equipment will ALWAYS be the most cost effective method of enjoying the outdoors in the long run. If you want to run the best and make sure it is in one piece when you get to your personal destination there is little doubt your towing an OTTER!! No need to look back off your snowmobile while cracking 50mph………IT’s BACK THERE TAUNTING YOU……….IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!!

A personal THANK YOU from Rainydaze guide service, customers, and the “Search and Destroy” Team. We cannot wait to get warm up in this new house!!

These new insulated houses will be available in the Otter “Pro series” as well as the Otter “Wild Series”.

Is Otter ever gonna make a “Conection” system for their ice houses?

I have been fishing in an insulated canvas house for the last 6-7 years. I have complete confidence that no matter the temp or wind I will be comfortable and my holes will not freeze up. Almost as important to me is the white interior. It is incredible how much that brightens up the inside of a portable. Downside are weight and the white canvas does show the dirt.

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Is Otter ever gonna make a “Conection” system for their ice houses?

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That is a question I plan on asking the “Boys of Otter”

With that being said I know both James and I connect our Otters with a simple Eye bolt out the back of the leading heavy duty sled. Big washers on both sides of the eye bolt. I’ve pulled sleds in tandem for a couple years now with no issues. Still if an angler wanted to further reinforce the chain of houses you could simply place a small board across the back of the interior sled in which you choose to place the connecting eye bolt through to reduce any impact to one particular area of the sled. This may be something that we as anglers can easily design to meet our needs on our own.

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I have been fishing in an insulated canvas house for the last 6-7 years. I have complete confidence that no matter the temp or wind I will be comfortable and my holes will not freeze up. Almost as important to me is the white interior. It is incredible how much that brightens up the inside of a portable. Downside are weight and the white canvas does show the dirt.

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Very good point on the white interior design of the house. Lighting is very important. Having that warmth where holes don’t freeze up in any conditions will be awesome. I look forward to burning less propane during the heart of our ice fishing season as well. There is little doubt by adding this thermal layering to a portable house there will be some added weight. Still I expect towing the house will be no issue. I pull 2 houses in tandem for a good part of the season. Now lifting the house into the back of your truck may continue to require a couple guys or taking gear out before tipping into your vehicle.

Ok… now I’m getting excited !!!

I will have to look into the specs on this unit… I love my one man pro for sure…and now if it was to where I could use less heat to keep the holes from freezing… that would be great… that’s all the warmer you need… is to just keep the holes from freezing up..

thanks for the update Chris..

Thanks for rolling this out Chris, the photos of ProXT Thermal look awesome!!!

I’ve done some fishing out of friends’ thermal shacks, and there are some distinct advantages. The major downside has always been cost and weight in my mind. I’m not sure on an exact MSRP yet, but rumor has it they’re priced much more reasonable than the next closest competitor’s thermal house. The same goes for the WILD series, major upgrades in sled and house, for a similar price tag as the old WILD series shacks. A big part of the weight equation was always from condensation and water as some of the thermal insulation out there sucks water like a sponge. Otter has opted for a water-resistant insulation to cure that ailment, and I’m excited to see the new lineup in-person.

Probably the first best look people will be able to have at these new houses in the flesh is at Thorne Brother’s Portable Modification Get-Together in September.

Joel

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Thanks for rolling this out Chris, the photos of ProXT Thermal look awesome!!!

I’ve done some fishing out of friends’ thermal shacks, and there are some distinct advantages. The major downside has always been cost and weight in my mind. I’m not sure on an exact MSRP yet, but rumor has it they’re priced much more reasonable than the next closest competitor’s thermal house. The same goes for the WILD series, major upgrades in sled and house, for a similar price tag as the old WILD series shacks. A big part of the weight equation was always from condensation and water as some of the thermal insulation out there sucks water like a sponge. Otter has opted for a water-resistant insulation to cure that ailment, and I’m excited to see the new lineup in-person.

Probably the first best look people will be able to have at these new houses in the flesh is at Thorne Brother’s Portable Modification Get-Together in September.

Joel

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In true “Otter Style” they’ve worked hard to design the best of the best. Those are some very good points in regards to the design of this thermal portable house Joel. Very exciting to see Otter Outdoors expand in this direction.

Who makes the insulation & what type on these units? What is the R factor? Do you know if they use the Canvas Craft NorpacR2 material? I have fished in -18 F below with my Canvas craft NorpacR2 house & you are toasty warm.

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Who makes the insulation & what type on these units? What is the R factor? Do you know if they use the Canvas Craft NorpacR2 material? I have fished in -18 F below with my Canvas craft NorpacR2 house & you are toasty warm.

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As far as I know the initial press release hasn’t spelled out specific “R values” of the thermal houses as of yet, or the precise insulation materials used. What I do know is this portable house boasts an industry leading 900 Denier shell. The breakdown of this particular shell starts off with a rugged 600 Denier exterior. Then a layer of water resistant “High Loft” insulation sandwiched between the 300 Denier interior making up the impressive 900 Denier shell. This of course in the intial press release is an EARLY description of the ALL NEW Otter Pro XT900 Xtreme thermal 900 Denier Shelter. Definately something ice anglers are going to want to check out!!

Chris,

I’ve been contemplating making a change in my ice hut for the past couple of years and the Otter is at the top of my list!

Just to be clear, the 900 Denier shell is the equation equaling the interior (300) plus the exterior (600) denier materials to get to the total of 900 Denier?

That is correct Denny. This Otter Pro Series has an industy leading 900 Denier shell. Basically…….It’s TOUGH!! You’ll be very happy with the house.

Hey Chris ,
I currently own the pro medium ice cabin, could a guy just purchase the new canvas, to fit over current frame?

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Hey Chris ,
I currently own the pro medium ice cabin, could a guy just purchase the new canvas, to fit over current frame?

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I have copied and pasted this particular question to the powers to be at Otter Outdoors!! My initial guess would be yes…….But at times my guessing ability is suspect!!

What I do know is I WILL have at least one of these Thermal houses in our fleet this season. The ability to heat those insulated houses with a minimal heat source in the colder months of Jan-February will pay for itself in propane for our guide service!!

Looks like Otter has their new OTTER PRO XT900 XTREME THERMAL shacks up on their website. Do you know if they are getting rid of the original canvas ones? All they have listed on their website is the new thermal ones. Thanks!

All Otter houses will be thermal going forward.

Thanks James!

Thanks Chris, excited to hear back from you on that canvas, Appreciate you looking into it!!

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Thanks Chris, excited to hear back from you on that canvas, Appreciate you looking into it!!

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Straight from the Otter Gods!! We will have replacement canvas in the new thermal top available for each of the 4 Pro house sizes making it easy to upgrade from one to the other. The frame and sled dimensions are the same.

VERY COOL INDEED!!

So if I understand you right, every new Otter portable ice house will be shipped with an insulated cover.

If so, DARN! I was thinking of a 2-man Otter in my future. I don’t want the added weight of the insulated ones. I don’t think I need it here in Central Iowa. My single headed sunflower heater never gets turned above its lowest setting as it is in my Clam 5600.

I was excited about their premium sliding, swivel seats with the folding back rest and the frame system that has the nylon assisted push button guides.

Then you might want to look at the Wild. You get the same Otter Pro quality tub, seats, frame with a 600 denier canvas and only the top is insulated. The added weight will be minimal.

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So if I understand you right, every new Otter portable ice house will be shipped with an insulated cover.

If so, DARN! I was thinking of a 2-man Otter in my future. I don’t want the added weight of the insulated ones. I don’t think I need it here in Central Iowa. My single headed sunflower heater never gets turned above its lowest setting as it is in my Clam 5600.

I was excited about their premium sliding, swivel seats with the folding back rest and the frame system that has the nylon assisted push button guides.

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Or you could buy last years model, such as a slightly used one, used just 1 season, otter cabin.

Or the new Wild series.

James,

If I remember right last year’s models in the Wild series were bench seats (not interested), and the frame also was not as well refined.

Otter Medium Cabin Fish House Package

(Premium-Grade, Hardened Aluminum Tubing with Ultra-Glide System,

Oversized, SuperTuff 801 Nylon Inserts (smooth & efficient plastic-on-metal gliding) )

Not true?

The 600 denier fabric is what I have now and it is more than satisfactory for me.

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So if I understand you right, every new Otter portable ice house will be shipped with an insulated cover.

If so, DARN! I was thinking of a 2-man Otter in my future. I don’t want the added weight of the insulated ones. I don’t think I need it here in Central Iowa. My single headed sunflower heater never gets turned above its lowest setting as it is in my Clam 5600.

I was excited about their premium sliding, swivel seats with the folding back rest and the frame system that has the nylon assisted push button guides.

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Or you could buy last years model, such as a slightly used one, used just 1 season, otter cabin.

Or the new Wild series.

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Ok, what cha got?

Besides this ole~ guy has to mule up!