I want to down grade from my Eskimo Quick Flip 2 down to a 1 man. I’ve narrowed it down to the wild or the pro cottage. I’m looking for your opinions on what you like about each. The only diffrence I see is the pro is full thermal vs the thermal top and the seat? The local Gander Mtn only has a 3 man wild that I was able to look at so let me hear it.
I have a Wild 1 and absolutely love it, so much room and weighs only 74 lbs…I’ve never been cold in mine with the buddy heater going so I can’t speak to thermal, not sure I’d ever need it…
First let me tell you that you will NOT be “downgrading”. Let’s get that out there right away. As for which one to chose, the Wild or the Pro. That is something for you to decide. I have the Pro Series, because I use it alot, I also have come to know that I can trust my Otter, and I know that my investment in it will last me quite some time. The Otter Pro sled is one of the most durable and long lasting sleds you will find. I have owned the others, I have tested them to find their failures. I UPGRADED years ago and use Otter’s today. Good fishing.
Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but I just purchased a new 2012 for F-150 eco-boost. My question to you guys is will the new pro-cabin be able to fit in the shortbox? I am already kicking myself for not getting the longer box…Just curious on what I could fit in the box with a tonneau cover on and the tail gate up? Would a cabin fit or would I have to go to the smaller modle? Thanks for replys…
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First let me tell you that you will NOT be “downgrading”. Let’s get that out there right away. As for which one to chose, the Wild or the Pro. That is something for you to decide. I have the Pro Series, because I use it alot, I also have come to know that I can trust my Otter, and I know that my investment in it will last me quite some time. The Otter Pro sled is one of the most durable and long lasting sleds you will find. I have owned the others, I have tested them to find their failures. I UPGRADED years ago and use Otter’s today. Good fishing.
I didn’t mean downgrading in quality I meant in size.
I personally like the Wild version simply because I am using the house to haul gear, on the move a lot, and taking in and out of the truck by myself. If I was to just go out on the ice and drill a few holes and wait for the fish to come to me, I would consider the full thermal. I guess that is a choice you need to make for yourself to determine your fishing style.
Think of this purchase as an investment, this sled/house will last you a long time. I have heard and seen people who have had the Otter sled for well over 8 years and it still looks new. These sleds are built tough, to withstand whatever winter throws. Enjoy your new 2nd home this winter. 
Cal makes a very good point here; The “Wild” version within the Otter Outdoors line up will be a bit lighter. For guys opting for the 1-Man version of flip style shacks this might be something to consider. The partial thermal is still very warm. The top of your shack of course is where anglers used to lose heat. Turning a 1-man (Back to the Wind) will reduce cold air penetration that cools down your house.
BTW I too am looking to add, (2) 1-man portables this season from Otter. I am looking at the “Wild” version of Otter for precisely those reasons mentioned above. To go a step further in name if easy transport, I will also likely add Hyfax to my houses and train them together with Otters hitch system designed to allow a single ATV/SLED pull multiple units. Every season I end up kicking myself for NOT having added 1-Man portables to my line-up of Otters. I guess we forget what being cold is like during the summer and fall. Then winter comes and we remember fishing with frozen digits dampens the fun. I assure you for the guy that wants mobility and warmth; This one man house of your choosing is a great add. Beyond that you simply can’t seem to carry all of your gear in your arms. Augers, Flashers, Rods, Minnows….1-Man adds seems to be a no-brainer. 
A guy can always vent a warmer tent and he can just crank up the heater in a colder one as well too. So to me the question would come down to either money and/or durability. Decide which of those constraints has more impact and go from there.
The 20lb lighter Weight and 40% cheaper Price is what steered me towards a Wild 1 package vs a Pro Thermal Cottage.
Thank you everyone. I think I will be getting the wild since it is lighter. I guess whatever one I get will be a step up from what I have now.
I don’t see how the otter wild cottage is lighter then the pro cottage. Their website has both listed at 80 lbs. I wonder if it’s the bench seat offsetting the weight of full thermal?
I’m comparing the older Wild 1 model (I think you can still get it from Fleet farm and Gander?) not the newer Wild Cottage with thermal roof. The weight difference is 6 lbs (Wild 1 weighs 74 lbs, Pro Cottage weighs 80 lbs) but the Wild 1 can easily fish 2 people with the bench seat, so I compared it more to the 2 person Pro Cabin. You’d need to spend another $100 for a 2nd seat with a cottage to fish 2 out of it..it really comes down to price, for a icefishing newcomer the Wild 1 is the perfect flipover introduction without breaking the bank.
The only thing that concerns me about the Wild version vs the Pro is the seat. Will I be unhappy with bench vs individual bucket seats?
if you fish by yourself, then the seat might work best as it will allow you to get the Fishermans caddy and allow easier access to gear in the sled. If you fish 2 in your shack, then the bench is awesome… I prefer the bench…
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The only thing that concerns me about the Wild version vs the Pro is the seat. Will I be unhappy with bench vs individual bucket seats?
Keep in mind too that the bench arches up and over your gear in the sled a bit more than the pro-series seats. I’ve owned a bench in previous years and enjoyed the flexibility that gave me in storing bulky gear like propane tanks, augers, etc.
Joel
Thanks guys. Nice to know the bench is not a problem.
Myself, I went with two cottages this season also one wild one pro, they will be eazy for me to load and unload myself and you can pack more than enough gear for any trip inside of them.
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The only thing that concerns me about the Wild version vs the Pro is the seat. Will I be unhappy with bench vs individual bucket seats?
I like the bench better, your welcome to try it out. I also have names for the fish of mine you will catch 
Leave the ice fishing questions to the northern tier states guys. If I have a corn question I’ll ask you. 
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The only thing that concerns me about the Wild version vs the Pro is the seat. Will I be unhappy with bench vs individual bucket seats?
Keep in mind too that the bench arches up and over your gear in the sled a bit more than the pro-series seats. I’ve owned a bench in previous years and enjoyed the flexibility that gave me in storing bulky gear like propane tanks, augers, etc.
Joel
Plus, that extra arch gives the long legs of guys like me a bit of a break as it’s higher up off the ice. My old man has a bench seat in his Otter and I actually prefer his seating to mine (older style non-cross piece seats)…well before this year that is. 
I’m moding up my rig with a new boat seat with high back that also sits slightly higher off the ice.
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