Author Topic: Ultimate ice fishing shelter (Read 15530 times)

Paul · « **on:** July 27, 2011, 12:17:33 PM »

I own a company that builds steel and aluminum oilfield buildings, I often have a lot of leftover materials, so I was thinking about throwing some ice fishing shacks together with the insulated aluminum panel. So what do people think a good layout and amenities are? Should there be electrical provisions for a genset with receptacles and lighting? I thought about electric heat but seems most guys don't mind a wood stove, plus it can be cooked over. I was thinking a sink with a small pump for cleaning fish also. A table that folds down when needed over one of the benches, if it's not needed it can be folded up and out of the way. Here is my rough idea, any suggestions or ideas are appreciated.

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Weste · « **Reply #1 on:** July 27, 2011, 01:09:57 PM »

Looks great Paul. I would also put in a hatch so that you could leave your pops on the ice to cool off, a built in cooler.

badback · « **Reply #2 on:** July 27, 2011, 01:28:17 PM »

Hi Paul...The lay out looks good no one is bumping into each other...If you are going to sell them you could have basic to deluxe models...It's going to great project....

Paul · « **Reply #3 on:** July 27, 2011, 03:00:20 PM »

To sell them might be cost prohibitive, the panel is aluminum clad, foam insulated to R10 industrial grade, it's all tec screwed, the stuff is very tough though, you can use 2 8' sections as quad ramps. If I could build them for the same price as it would cost someone to build an R10 wood shack it might be worth selling if I had time to have a few built. Most guys are pretty happy with a wood frame shack, but I suppose if you wanted it insulated it could start to add up. I attached an image of the material on a building.

What's a good size? I was thinking 8 x 12. 8' wide makes it pretty convenient for putting them on a car trailer but I know some guys like 10' or even 12' wide.

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badback · « **Reply #4 on:** July 27, 2011, 06:03:18 PM »

Seeing the picture, all I can say is that would be a sweet ice shack...I guess the size depends on what you have to move it with but the 8 X 12 is roomy enough for 2 people.....

Tuc · « **Reply #5 on:** July 27, 2011, 09:46:44 PM »

Paul, do you think 12 feet would be a little large? If you built a 8x12 out of alum what do you think it would weigh and what would you put on it for a door? Metal or wood frame? .... The lighter the better!

How does that material paint up, would you spray it black to draw heat from the sun or up to customer? If a feller was to sleep in it, I think the wiring and heater would be a GREAT idea. A couple of plugs and perhaps a small base board should run off a 2000w gen set.

I often thought of building a wooden one but alum would be a hellava lot lighter.

Paul · « **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2011, 10:43:40 PM »

The doors are made of the same material and the door frames are made from aluminum extrusions. I use some costly stainless steel hardware for my oilfield clients but I'm thinking a lot of it can be replaced with galvanized at a fraction. The panels are actually extremely light and they weigh about 1/3 of wood construction per square foot. There is no framing required either, by design they overlap and are tec screwed, I actually have all the engineering done on wind and snow loads because some of my building designs fall under the building code. I think the best way to really lighten it up is use aluminum tubing for the skids, marine grade plywood for the floor, then build the structure out of panels. I was talking today with Chris K about heat and we talked about propane but I don't really like the idea of gas or potential carbon monoxide issues when guys are sleeping, I think electric or wood is the answer. I know in oilfield environments the buildings last 20 years, I am sure a guy could get the same duration for an ice fishing shack other than maybe the floor. As far as color my supplier will make them in darker colors for me or they can be painted if needed.

new hunter okotoks · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2011, 02:51:43 AM »

Paul,that shack looks sweet. I would prefer some fairly large windows on 3 sides of the shack if I had a choice. I guess you could put a couple of low friction runners underneath it and use a portable winch from the truck to get it on and off a trailer. Just to make things easy,a heavy handle(winch point) of some sort could be installed on either end of the shack to make winching easier on/off a trailer. An insulated shack that size could be easily heated with a big buddy heater. One of those collabsible wood stoves and piping would be easy enough to set up as well which would be my preference.

Paul, with what I described; 8X12 insulated with 3 windows about 2'X2',door and 2 or 3 runners underneath,stove pipe hole and flashing,what would you estimate the weight and the price at?

Thanks,Aaron.

Paul · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2011, 09:56:58 AM »

I am not sure off the top of my head NHO, but as soon as it's not so busy I am going to have my guys build one and see how it works out. I am debating wood, steel or aluminum skid.

wildmeat · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2011, 08:35:04 PM »

hey paul if you are into it... id definitely be interested in one... wouldnt need a sink or heater but a nice 6" hole in the roof for a stove pipe would be ideal... also the fold down table/bed/bench is a great idea... aluminum frame as well would be ideal as it would never rot and would be lightweight

Paul · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2011, 10:38:54 PM »

Quote from: wildmeat on August 03, 2011, 08:35:04 PM

hey paul if you are into it... id definitely be interested in one... wouldnt need a sink or heater but a nice 6" hole in the roof for a stove pipe would be ideal... also the fold down table/bed/bench is a great idea... aluminum frame as well would be ideal as it would never rot and would be lightweight

If you didn't need a sink or heater could probably go a bit smaller. Let me put one together wildmeat and see how feasible it is.

new hunter okotoks · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2011, 10:22:19 AM »

LOL!!! Paul,I was just thinking how nice it would be for me,if I was able to say: "I'll get one of my guys to build me an Ice Fishing Shelter."!!!!

Still wondering about what the price would be for what I described. I would not need a sink either. The fold up beds would sure be sweet.

Tuc · « **Reply #12 on:** August 04, 2011, 12:39:39 PM »

I think convenience is what I would be looking for here. I agree with eliminating the gas fumes (propane heaters,etc) if your going to snooze in it but don't think I'd want to be cutting and lugging firewood around. Those infrared heaters they have out now are suppose to be the cats ass and very efficient, might be an idea.

http://www.globalindustrial.ca/c/hvac/heaters/electric-infrared?infoParam.campaignId=T9A&gclid=CLP8xP2htqoCFcjrKgod7zpK6w
http://www.farnorthsaunas.com/infrared-heaters/?gclid=CKzKu46jtqoCFcPBKgodmAxO7g

Lots of different models and ways to use them. Plug in boxes or permanently wire the shield model to the ceiling.

Paul · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2011, 04:32:25 PM »

Quote from: Tuc on August 04, 2011, 12:39:39 PM

I think convenience is what I would be looking for here. I agree with eliminating the gas fumes (propane heaters,etc) if your going to snooze in it but don't think I'd want to be cutting and lugging firewood around. Those infrared heaters they have out now are suppose to be the cats ass and very efficient, might be an idea.

http://www.globalindustrial.ca/c/hvac/heaters/electric-infrared?infoParam.campaignId=T9A&gclid=CLP8xP2htqoCFcjrKgod7zpK6w
http://www.farnorthsaunas.com/infrared-heaters/?gclid=CKzKu46jtqoCFcPBKgodmAxO7g

Lots of different models and ways to use them. Plug in boxes or permanently wire the shield model to the ceiling.

I think that's a good option Tuc for those that don't mind taking a genset out. Some guys would still prefer wood I suppose but you know for the price of those electric heaters you can't go wrong. The real win is less space and a cleaner shack.

mooseknuckle · « **Reply #14 on:** August 05, 2011, 11:02:58 AM »

Looks awesome Paul, if you want my professional opinion you'll have to take out in it.

wildmeat · « **Reply #15 on:** August 09, 2011, 06:28:06 PM »

Quote from: Paul on August 03, 2011, 10:38:54 PM

If you didn't need a sink or heater could probably go a bit smaller. Let me put one together wildmeat and see how feasible it is.

sounds good buddy... my old man is a pipeline inspector and ive been trying to get him to get me a smaller shack for a long time now... he brought a couple home but all were not feasible and were way to heavy... they now sit as tack sheds

wildmeat · « **Reply #16 on:** August 09, 2011, 06:33:06 PM »

and the heater is a great idea and would work well for some... but its nice to have a hot fire in the shack... the boy loves to stoke it... keeps him busy and he learns safe fire etiquette and its nice to cook hotdogs or smokies while your fishing... keeps him occupied more than me i guess but it allows me to fish longer

Paul · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2011, 10:31:25 AM »

Well getting underway on this project. Have the building and skid together, waiting on all the custom woodwork for the inside and the loft bunk which is being done out of aluminum tubing. 4 holes, will sleep 3 comfortably, airtight wood stove, custom cabinets and fold down benches for sleeping on, TV, audio system with ipod dock and dvd player, lights inside and out, 3 receptacles, commercial grade nylon carpet, insulated floor, catch covers with sleeves, rod holders built in, fully wired for genset. Stay tuned...

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mooseknuckle · « **Reply #18 on:** September 20, 2011, 08:10:41 PM »

Crazy nice Paul!!

Joe Fehr · « **Reply #19 on:** September 21, 2011, 04:53:28 AM »

Now that's going to be ice fishing in style! Can't wait to see the finished project.