Otter resort questions

  • prospector
    Wyoming
    Posts: 118
    November 23, 2013 at 8:09 pm #1358915

    Hey guys, thinking about getting on of these and wondering about a few things.
    1. How well do they do in the wind?
    2. What are some ways to anchor them to the ice?
    3. What do owners have to say about them?
    Right now I have a pro cottage that does really well in the wind. I installed D rings on the front and rear of the sled and put turnbuckles to eskimo ice screws, works like a charm. I love this setup, but am concerned that this might be too much strain on the resort sled due to it being a bigger sail. One of the main reasons for wanting a resort is to only bring one chair and be able to sleep overnight in the tub of the sled. Yeah, I am a little nuts! Right now I sleep in my truck or my 949I hub shelter.
    Thanks for your replies guys!!!
    BTW, I do have two otter wind poles.

    Calvin Svihel
    Moderator
    Northwest Metro, MN
    Posts: 3862
    November 24, 2013 at 7:02 am #1366209

    The resort is a big portable house and in a strong heavy wind with the wind poles installed you will be fine. You will notice the strong winds but depending on what resort you get, full thermal vs thermal top will determine the amount of wind noise inside the house.
    A couple different ideas when it comes to anchoring. You could attach a rope to the roto-molded hitch points for security. Otter also makes a rear sled hitch receiver ideal for towing in tandem 2 Otters but this again could be used for anchoring in high winds.
    Overall I think you will be pleased with the size of the resort and how it will fit your fishing style.
    I have attached a photo if rear hitch installed.

    prospector
    Wyoming
    Posts: 118
    November 24, 2013 at 5:03 pm #1366335

    Thanks Calvin!
    I ordered the full thermal this morning and am hoping to get many good years of service from it.

    Paul Delaney
    Moderator
    Posts: 233
    November 24, 2013 at 5:31 pm #1366345

    As Cal has mentioned the hitch pin receiver works great also for a tie down and you can also install a few of them for that purpose in different locations on different sides of the sled for anchoring purposes. The Otter resort is a very spacious comfortable ice house and you will definitely be very pleased with your purchase. Good luck fishing and be safe.

    Paul Delaney
    http://www.lateeyessportfishing.com

    prospector
    Wyoming
    Posts: 118
    November 24, 2013 at 6:18 pm #1366355

    Thanks Paul.
    Good ideas for anchoring. Here is to a great season!

    Calvin Svihel
    Moderator
    Northwest Metro, MN
    Posts: 3862
    November 25, 2013 at 8:37 am #1366452

    Congrats on the new house.

    The weight of the full thermal also helps to knock more wind down and creates less movement on the Otter thermal shell compared to just a thermal top.

    Report back on how the sleeping works in that shack.

    prospector
    Wyoming
    Posts: 118
    November 25, 2013 at 8:14 pm #1366650

    I didn’t realize the resort used a different hitch than my cottage. POOF, there goes another hundred bucks!
    Oh well, I can’t wait!!!

    prospector
    Wyoming
    Posts: 118
    December 3, 2013 at 2:46 pm #1368382

    It is coming today and I am going NUTS waiting!

    belletaine
    Nevis, MN
    Posts: 5116
    December 4, 2013 at 6:38 am #1368489

    Quote:

    One word. HUGE!

    They are huge, very nice! I think you need about 16″ of ice to get it out

    Quintin Biermann
    Member
    Webster, South Dakota
    Posts: 436
    December 4, 2013 at 6:57 am #1368498

    You will love the room when fishing deep water with mutiple lines, good luck. – QB

    prospector
    Wyoming
    Posts: 118
    December 4, 2013 at 1:03 pm #1368634

    Thanks guys! I am stoked. A twin mattress fits in the sled perfectly. My wife made me put it outside already. If you guys are ever wanting to fish in Wyoming, there is a warm place to sit and I will drill you a hole. Tight lines, Joe

    Calvin Svihel
    Moderator
    Northwest Metro, MN
    Posts: 3862
    December 4, 2013 at 2:04 pm #1368648

    Quote:

    Thanks guys! I am stoked. A twin mattress fits in the sled perfectly. My wife made me put it outside already. If you guys are ever wanting to fish in Wyoming, there is a warm place to sit and I will drill you a hole. Tight lines, Joe

    Twin Mattress ….you might be the first person to ever reference a size of the Otter sled by mattress size.

    prospector
    Wyoming
    Posts: 118
    December 4, 2013 at 3:41 pm #1368660

    Calvin, the mattress fit like a glove! I thought a bunch of work was in order before I would be able to sleep on the ice with it. I was worried about the bolts from the runners tearing up my sleeping bag. Being able to take a nap once in awhile will put more fish on the ice for me. I will also be able to save money on gas by spending more time on the ice. My average round trip is 200 miles.
    Question. Is a big buddy heater plenty good to heat this shack if the temps are in the teens? I have a sunflower if needed but would rather use the buddy.

    BTW, if you thought the mattress was funny, imagine me mounting an ipad behind the seat to watch movies laying in the sled!

    prospector
    Wyoming
    Posts: 118
    January 8, 2014 at 10:07 pm #1378443

    My otter resort is already paying dividends with fish caught. Also saving me money on fuel cause I don’t have to leave the lake. Thanks to those who helped me make my decision to purchase this awesome tent!

    belletaine
    Nevis, MN
    Posts: 5116
    January 8, 2014 at 11:17 pm #1378446

    Sounds like a blast Prospector! Glad it worked out for you.

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