Otter Pro xt 1200

I recently purchased a New Otter XT1200 lodge and am having problems with installing the seats and cross link bar. First Off I mounted the brackets exactly 7/8″ down from the top of sled like the instructions showed. When I put the aluminum bar accross the holes are over and inch off. In order to get the bar to fit I had to redrill one of the holes to get it too work. Second, even with WD-4O the seat bases are crazy hard to turn down. It is twisting the brackets which means I have to use a Cresent wrench to get them on. How are these suppose to be removeable and slideable if they fit so dang tight. I love the house but am not too happy with the seating system so far. Anyone else have any tips to make me a happier Otter Owner? Thanks

I just bought and assembled an XT1200 Cabin. I found that the 7/8 down was not enough and the back of the seats are higher than the front so they’re trying to dump you out. If I could do it over again, I’d mount that aluminum bar 3/4 to an inch lower. On my house, to fix this, I just put extra washers in the seat mount on the front two holes so the front sits higher. It’s very comfy now. As far as getting the seat bases on the aluminum support bar…..do you have the bar mounted solid now? If so, put the back of the seat base onto the aluminum mounting bar with the seat at about a 45degree angle. This is the only angle that the base will completely fit down onto the aluminum support bar, then rotate the front down onto the front of the sled. If you’re trying to do this with the aluminum bar loose (not attached), it’s going to seem almost impossible (at least it did for me).

Thanks, I mounted the brackets a tad farther than 7/8″ but not the 1 3/4″ they said was an alternative. Hopefully it will be enough so they don’t lean forward. Yes the alumminum bar is bolted on. It works, I can get the Plastic bases on, just seems awefully tight. I suppose there is a reason why. Maybe they wear over time or something.

Mine was fairly tight too, but loosened up pretty quickly…

After assembling many of these I also have learned that you do have to mount the bar a bit lower than the suggested measurement. As far as the seat brackets being a bit tight on the aluminum bar they will loosen as they get used a bit. You will greatly enjoy your mew Otter ice house and will give you many years of enjoyment. Good luck fishing.

Paul Delaney
http://www.lateeyessportfishing.com

Thanks for the tip TO. I’ll have to try the washer trick as my seat seems to lean a little forward.

Have fun with the otter, the xt 1200 is an amazing canvas, once you fish with it you will wonder how you fished all the other years without it. – QB

im having the same problem with the seat being really really difficult to push down onto the aluminum cross bar. as a result of me having to push so hard I bent the brackets and now the bar sits wonky. I have learned since then to work very gently with it and work it down slowly so that you can find your “sweet spot” rather than muscle it but im afraid its too late as the damage is already done. im rathered annoyed and fear that ill eventually need to call otter and ask for new hardware so I can replace my now bent brackets