Another Portable Ice Shack Project - Pic Heavy

[Albertadiver]

Well, I must start off saying I've wanted to build a shack for about 10 years now, but never got around to it. I have a garage, and recently bought a big buddy heater to help heat it.

I've done a bunch of research, and a special thanks to The Fisherman Guy, his completed project is here.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=24279

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3686Medium.jpg

The design for mine is roughly based on the following designs.

http://home.cogeco.ca/~charrons/Default.htm

http://www.stopsnoringnow.com/iceshanty/iceshantyphotos.html

I have a dodge Dakota, which means I have a small truck box. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that there will be a portion of the shack hanging out the back of my truck over the tailgate. I’m going to set it up so that there’s a fair amount of storage under the shack for gear.

I’m going to make the shack pretty large, so that I can have 4 people relatively comfortably in there. And possibly use for winter camping overnight. The floor will fold down in two pieces with two clasps holding it together. Each floor piece is 6’6”, making the total length 13’. The width is 4’, for standard plywood.

Since I’m thinking on using it for camping as well, I’m making 4 hatches, for 4 holes.

By making the floor so long, I created a problem for myself in that when they fold up, they have to be below the curved portion of the roof or it will damage the canvass. So I’ll be making the roof 7’ high with a very shallow curve. Not the best, but I’ve already built one floor section. In hindsight I’d have made the floor panel only 6’.

The other issue is that it may be quite a sail in high wind, but I guess I’ll find out. I can always use guy wires with ice anchors if needed.

For the spreader roof pole, I was looking for expanding metal poles, since I didn’t want a 13’ pole hanging out the back of the truck. So I went with 2” abs, in three sections put together by couplers. I’ll build a slot for it on each wall, and should work well.

I bought a 15’x20’ brown canvas from princess auto. It looks great on The Fisherman Guy’s setup. I love wood burning stoves too, but since I have a big buddy heater, I’m going with propane heat. I have a CO detector as well.

Other than paint, I think I’ve purchased all of my supplies. The total budget was more than I thought, but this is a project that my wife let me do, so I wanted to do it well.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/Shack_budget.jpg


I spent a few hours this evening and have the first floor section down. My buck keeps me company, it’s cold so he’s got my toque.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3688Medium.jpg

Will post updates as I can. Hope to get the project done in about 10 days. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3687Medium.jpg

Here’s the big buddy going full bore in the background. Works great on the double car garage in -20 weather. Melts snow on the floor.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3685Medium.jpg

[The Fisherman Guy]

Just dam cool! Good thread ABD, sounds like it will be more comfortable and spacious than mine. Great idea with the carbon monoxide dectector, a must have if you are going to sleep in it.

To hold the tarp on the sides, since your floor is collapsable, perhaps you can thread some rope through the grommets, and attach them to each wall, that way when the shack is expanded, the rope pulls tight and holds the tarp down and in place. Snaps can fill with snow, and can be a bugger to clear out in the cold.

How long until you are fishing? I hope to do plenty of fishin over the holidays.
Thanks for the props, I look forward to seeing it in action. A Christmas holiday derby maybe! Let me know what you think! :lol:

[Albertadiver]

I bought some cup hooks to screw every foot or so along the floor. I bought a grommet tool as well, so all I have to do is hook the canvas grommetts onto the hooks to keep it tight. I'll leave some extra cloth as well, and tuck the rest under the floor to help keep blowing snow from getting in. I like that rope idea too, might try both!.

My father is recovering from prostate cancer, and growing up we just sat outside and fished on Pine Lake, so I'm going to push to get it done before the holidays so I can take him out to the lake when we head up to Ded Reer.

[Albertadiver]

So in about another three hours, I completed the second floor piece and cut and hinged two access hatches. I also decided to cut the first floor piece down to 6" to make my total length 12'. Seems good when it's all laid out.

Other than taking a chunk out of the end of a finger it's going really well. (following in Treeguy's footsteps. Next it will be a broken or severed finger).


http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3689Medium.jpg


http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3690Medium.jpg


http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3692Medium.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3693Medium.jpg


http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3694Medium.jpg


Next step is to do the next two hatches, build the walls, door, paint, and then fit the canvass.

[Huntingonthebrain]

http://icefishinghuts.ca/

Go here and make life easy.....

[Albertadiver]

http://icefishinghuts.ca/

Go here and make life easy.....

They're nice enough, but if I wanted to purchase a hut I would have probably just went and bought a 4-man ice cube.

This is a fun project for me with an end use.

[Huntingonthebrain]

They're nice enough, but if I wanted to purchase a hut I would have probably just went and bought a 4-man ice cube.

This is a fun project for me with an end use.


This site offers both assembled and assembled yourself. They send you the plans and the canvas and you supply the rest. Or they can build and ship.

[ULTRAlite]

Lookin Good - Keep us posted on how it works out

[Duck Hunt]

Huntingonthebrain is right, The wooden fold up huts are best there is, and quite affordable at that. $120 gets you the plans plus plywood and the odd board still cheap! and build away. Most economical and spacious hut there is, plus very light weight at that. The only thing with these is to replace the tarp door with a wood one, much handier. Your hut could half the size and have six holes. Cheers

[Albertadiver]

Thanks ULTRAlight. It's going not too bad.

I've got the end wall fastened and up. I just finished painting it after adding a 6"x8" window and vent.

Now that that end is drying, I'll work on the other wall and entry door. Hope to get the wood working part done today, finish painting tommorrow, and work the canvass after a few more days.

I chose to paint for durability, and since I'm using OSB sheathing, I want to keep water off of it. The paint will be a good enough seal for my purposes.

I think it's going to take a while to dry as I can only get the garage to around +8.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3700Medium.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3702Medium.jpg

[The Fisherman Guy]

Looking great so far! Took my shanty today for a few hours and it is pretty cramped inside with the portable chairs we have. I think going with a smaller seating alternative, I will be able to have more space. Looks like yours will be a heck of a lot bigger than mine for floor space. I am interested in comparing your weight to square foot ratio. Mine is small and incredibly heavy.

Keep us posted, the photos are great.

[Albertadiver]

This afternoon I built the other wall, put a door in with a small window and got it painted.

All that's left now is paint the bottom of each floor piece, then fit the canvas.

I think it's going to be fairly hefty, probably about 80lbs so far.

The canvass is pretty heavy, so it will probably be well over 100lbs. I beefed up the door wall to keep it from being too flimsy.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3704Medium.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3705Medium.jpg

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

this afternoon i built the other wall, put a door in with a small window and got it painted.

All that's left now is paint the bottom of each floor piece, then fit the canvas.

I think it's going to be fairly hefty, probably about 80lbs so far.

The canvass is pretty heavy, so it will probably be well over 100lbs. I beefed up the door wall to keep it from being too flimsy.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/img_3704medium.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/img_3705medium.jpg

looks good buddy , keep up the fine work.

[Deb]

Looks great, ~ Le Chateau AlbertaDiver~

Can you tell me where you picked up that Big Buddy Heater? It's exactly what we've been looking for and their website doesn't have a search option for Canadian retailers.

Thanks!

[Justanotherbuck2]

I look forward to see the finished hut and then seeing a couple of good pics of you pulling some fish through the ice. Thanks for sharing your build with us.

[Nerdapres']

I realize you dudes are trying to save money, but that OSB stuff is the heaviest material you could use.

[Albertadiver]

Looks great, ~ Le Chateau AlbertaDiver~

Can you tell me where you picked up that Big Buddy Heater? It's exactly what we've been looking for and their website doesn't have a search option for Canadian retailers.

Thanks!

Princess Auto. I bought the extra 12' hose extension to connect to a standard BBQ tank as well.

I bought a carbon monoxide detector 'just in case' and I noticed last night after spending most of the day in the garage, that I had a horrible headache and a little bit of nausea. Classic CO poisoning symptoms. The detector didn't go off, but I am going to be a lot more careful because that's not something to play around with.

I installed a vent in the one wall for the shack as well.

I realize you dudes are trying to save money, but that OSB stuff is the heaviest material you could use.

I'm using 3/8" which is pretty light. If I had the budgest I would have used plywood, but since I'm painting anyways, osb was my choice.

T&G osb wieghs a ton.

[deanmc]

Home hardware has big buddy heaters for 100.00 right now.

[The Fisherman Guy]

Yikes, be careful with that heater man!

[sparky660]

Looking good Alberta. It has given me the incentive to build one myself. You can run out and buy one but this will outlast anything that will compare in price. That and you can take pride in building something with your own hands.

[Albertadiver]

Looking good Alberta. It has given me the incentive to build one myself. You can run out and buy one but this will outlast anything that will compare in price. That and you can take pride in building something with your own hands.

Thanks Sparky, BBJ, and others. I could have went and bought a 4 man ice cube for probably cheaper, and it would be lighter, easier to sled, and in some way's they're much better.

However, although I work in the construction industry, I don't get much opportunity to get my hands dirty and physically build somthing myself. This has been a fun project. For work, I do problem solving whether it's constructability issues, contractural issues, or people issues. It has been fun to problem solve for myself and plan.

Got the bottoms of both panels painted today. I'll let them dry overnight with the heaters on, and then work on the canvass hopefully tommorrow.

I'd say I'm 70% done. Could have done more today, but still not feeling 100% from last night and felt like vegging a bit.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3707Medium.jpg


Once that's done I'll have to build a sled if I want to go to spray lakes or somewhere like that. Anyone been ice fishing on the Kananaskis lakes?

To be honest, only place I've ever gone ice fishing is Pine Lake because it was so close to the farm. Maybe once or twice to sylvan or Gull, but I would have been a kid.

[wideload]

real nice job now i want to build one a have holiday trailer gutted and is somewhat finnished but too big to take everywhere . for you guys that dont have the time check out
:)http://www.niceshack.com

[deanmc]

real nice job now i want to build one a have holiday trailer gutted and is somewhat finnished but too big to take everywhere . for you guys that dont have the time check out
:)http://www.niceshack.com
These are very cool but 2500.00 is way out of my price range.:cry:

Thanks Sparky, BBJ, and others. I could have went and bought a 4 man ice cube for probably cheaper, and it would be lighter, easier to sled, and in some way's they're much better.

However, although I work in the construction industry, I don't get much opportunity to get my hands dirty and physically build somthing myself. This has been a fun project. For work, I do problem solving whether it's constructability issues, contractural issues, or people issues. It has been fun to problem solve for myself and plan.

Got the bottoms of both panels painted today. I'll let them dry overnight with the heaters on, and then work on the canvass hopefully tommorrow.

I'd say I'm 70% done. Could have done more today, but still not feeling 100% from last night and felt like vegging a bit.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3707Medium.jpg


Once that's done I'll have to build a sled if I want to go to spray lakes or somewhere like that. Anyone been ice fishing on the Kananaskis lakes?

To be honest, only place I've ever gone ice fishing is Pine Lake because it was so close to the farm. Maybe once or twice to sylvan or Gull, but I would have been a kid.

Thanks for taking time to post all the pics and info. Most people dont take pride in building things for themselves. Glad to see it when someone still does. My wife bought me a cube last year for christmas so i cant justify building the whole shack but after seeing this I am going to build a floor for it.:wave:

[Albertadiver]

Well, got the canvas on and fastened this evening.

My only problem now is that the roof spreader pole I planned on using is 3 pieces of 2" abs held by couplers, but it won't straighten out enough to hold the walls apart. Just bends.

SO... anyone have any ideas? What I'm trying to achieve is to have somthing that collapses down to fit in my 5' truck box. I'm thinking about trying to find some more heavy duty extending tent poles or tarp poles, and using 3 of them to spread the load out.

All I have left to do is put some canvass 'blinds' for the windows, and a better latch on the inside of the door to keep it shut better.

For the bottom, I left a 1' strip to put snow on top of to keep it down. I might use a few grommets to bring it to attach to the floor, but we'll see how it goes.

It's not light, probably close to 180lbs or so. I can lift it, but it's awkward. But as you can see it packs down to about 6" deep.

All in all I'm happy, just have to figure out the wall spreading thing...

I also thought about using ropes and ice anchors to pull the walls apart. That still doesn't keep the roof from sagging, so still need a ridge pole regardless.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3710Medium.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3714Medium.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3717Medium.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3718Medium.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3719Medium.jpg



Anyhow, thoughts would be appreciated guys.

[allenford]

awsome job !

[The Fisherman Guy]

Nice work ABD! Great job man! Feels great now that it's done I bet!! Now all we need to do is get them out and have a fish off!!

Did it turn out like you had hoped? anything you would've done differently?

I recommend you place it on blocks, not directly on the ice. Both times I have used my shack the blocks were frozen solid to the ice, after just a day's fishing.

How much was your total cost, including your heating system?

As for dimensions, I was fly by night. I designed it as I built it, I would like to see any plans that you built though. Thanks for the post man, great thread.

TFG

[Cam-hunter]

Looks great, ~ Le Chateau AlbertaDiver~

Can you tell me where you picked up that Big Buddy Heater? It's exactly what we've been looking for and their website doesn't have a search option for Canadian retailers.

Thanks!

Also check Peavy mart I picked one up there last year

[StrayArc]

Great job on the hut!

[Albertadiver]

Nice work ABD! Great job man! Feels great now that it's done I bet!! Now all we need to do is get them out and have a fish off!!

Did it turn out like you had hoped? anything you would've done differently?

I recommend you place it on blocks, not directly on the ice. Both times I have used my shack the blocks were frozen solid to the ice, after just a day's fishing.

How much was your total cost, including your heating system?

As for dimensions, I was fly by night. I designed it as I built it, I would like to see any plans that you built though. Thanks for the post man, great thread.

TFG


My costs were pretty acurate to that little spreadsheet I put together at the top of the forum. The big buddy heater I bought a few weeks ago, for somewhere around $150.00

I didn't do any plans, just in my head. I could draft some up I suppose. I used those websites for reference as well.

I'm pretty happy how it turned out, only problem I'm having is trying to figure out the spreader bars for the roof and keeping the walls up. Still trying to figure that one out. I really like the canvass from Princess auto though, pretty good stuff.

Good point about the blocks. I might get 3 or 4 4x4's to put it on when I'm driving. If I'm dragging it out, might take a little tiger torch to help unfreeze it.

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

Hell of a job you best better give yourself a pat on the back and crack a couple brews.

[BUD]

Looks good , but may l ask one question , l notice the rounded part of the roofline is uneven , why didnt you use a string and draw a roof line so as not to have a crooked cut.

[deanmc]

Yah and the screw 3 from the north and 5 in from left is countersunk .0235 mm too far!!!! What kind of a carpenter are you anyway? Fish will never come near that thing:evilgrin:

[2big4u]

PM sent

[Albertadiver]

Looks good , but may l ask one question , l notice the rounded part of the roofline is uneven , why didnt you use a string and draw a roof line so as not to have a crooked cut.

Yeah yeah, I know! :tongue2:

I did use the string concept, my problem is that I didn't have a jigsaw, and the skill saw didn't work out to well. My plan was to go with a mansard type roof instead. Well, used my sawsall to do the cuts and I butchered it pretty bad admittedly.

Good thing is that when I put on the canvas it 'hides' my crappy cuts and looks pretty good. I'll always know it's there and won't ever be happy with it though.

I could have laid out the screws and washers better too, but it was tough to get the screw to stay on the drill head with one hand, screw it in, and pull like crazy to keep the canvass as tight as I could with the other hand. Should have got the wife to help I guess.

[Albertadiver]

PM sent

Hey thanks man, that sounds like a great way to go about it, and if things don't work out in the next few days I'll be sure to get in touch with you after the holidays.

[BUD]

Yeah yeah, I know! :tongue2:

I did use the string concept, my problem is that I didn't have a jigsaw, and the skill saw didn't work out to well. My plan was to go with a mansard type roof instead. Well, used my sawsall to do the cuts and I butchered it pretty bad admittedly.

Good thing is that when I put on the canvas it 'hides' my crappy cuts and looks pretty good. I'll always know it's there and won't ever be happy with it though.

I could have laid out the screws and washers better too, but it was tough to get the screw to stay on the drill head with one hand, screw it in, and pull like crazy to keep the canvass as tight as I could with the other hand. Should have got the wife to help I guess.

OK ,still a good job , was just wondering why the uneven cut , kinda spoils the look of the roof contour.

[Rumtan]

http://goodoutdoors.theshoppe.com/ice_fishing_supplies.html I found this website from Sask but it may help with ideas and cost if your looking for icefishing gear/prices. Hope this helps some?

[jpohlic]

You might try finding an adjustable clothes hanging rod instead of the plastic pipe... or maybe some electrical conduit

[Albertadiver]

PM sent

2Big4U really has helped a bunch with an expanding pole prototype. I'll post more about it after the holidays. Great ideas! If I would have checked my email earlier today, I could have picked up a pole today, but I was avoiding my work email today since I'm off! :)

http://goodoutdoors.theshoppe.com/ice_fishing_supplies.html I found this website from Sask but it may help with ideas and cost if your looking for icefishing gear/prices. Hope this helps some?

Had a quick look at that site, pretty good ideas. I'm liking the idea of the sled / case combo. Might work for me.

You might try finding an adjustable clothes hanging rod instead of the plastic pipe... or maybe some electrical conduit

I used a 1" EMT conduit with 3/4" EMT slid into either end. This will work good for now, but the pole from 2big4U will be able to tension the walls apart better.

I'll post pics once I've got it in use! This afternoon I finished the poles, put some velcro flaps over the windows and a few paint touch ups. Might get it out to Pine Lake tommorrow.... We'll see. Thanks again everyone for the suggestions, they've been very helpful.

[wideload]

just remember engineers built the titanic amatures built the ark:)

[Albertadiver]

just remember engineers built the titanic amatures built the ark:)

My professional credentials are C.E.T. and CCCA. Certified Engineering Technologist, and Certified Construction Contract Administrator.

Guess I'm a hybrid! :evilgrin:

[Albertadiver]

Spent the day at Pine Lake today. It worked GREAT! WIth the Big Buddy heater, we had to crack the door once in a while for fresh air, but I just sat in my first layer, and was toasty despite it being pretty windy out.

Only other guy we ran into on the lake came in to see us, and he had an aquaview camera. Pretty neat things.

Oh, yeah, we got skunked though. For once I didn't really mind. We forgot to pick up Bait yesterday, and everything was closed this morning. Ended up trying chees.

I'll try to get the narrow side facing the wind for next time though. Canvass blew in a bit.

I'm going to try Sylvan Lake, or Gull tommorrow I think, maybe for whitefish. I have Pike tip ups, but I like fishing for perch and whitefish more. Any suggestions for where to go on the lake?

At my folks, so I'll post pics once I get internet access for my laptop.

[2big4u]

Glad to hear you got out.
Sorry I missed you. I was quite surprised to get it done.
Good luck at Sylvan tomorrow.

Dan

[deanmc]

Yeah yeah, I know! :tongue2:

I did use the string concept, my problem is that I didn't have a jigsaw, and the skill saw didn't work out to well. My plan was to go with a mansard type roof instead. Well, used my sawsall to do the cuts and I butchered it pretty bad admittedly.

Good thing is that when I put on the canvas it 'hides' my crappy cuts and looks pretty good. I'll always know it's there and won't ever be happy with it though.

I could have laid out the screws and washers better too, but it was tough to get the screw to stay on the drill head with one hand, screw it in, and pull like crazy to keep the canvass as tight as I could with the other hand. Should have got the wife to help I guess.

Yah and the screw 3 from the north and 5 in from left is countersunk .0235 mm too far!!!! What kind of a carpenter are you anyway? Fish will never come near that thing:evilgrin:

I hope you didn't take me serious. I was poking fun at your critics. I think Its awesome.

[Albertadiver]

I hope you didn't take me serious. I was poking fun at your critics. I think Its awesome.

No worries! I caught the humour. Too bad I didn't 'caught' anything else in the last two days. Spent today at Brownlows in Gull. Not one bite. Think I'm doing somthing wrong, but this is the first time in about 15 years I fished Gull.

[sparky660]

Awesome job on the shack. I am going to start on mine this week. If you don't mind I think I am going to use yours as a template.

[Walleyes]

Good lookin shack should last you a while,, enjoy it..

[Albertadiver]

So here she is in action. We'll be out on Gull Lake tommorrow, somewhere around Brownlow's in the same truck.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3725.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3729.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3758.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/albertadiver/IMG_3733.jpg

[sparky660]

Do you think an ATV would be able haul that bad boy in a Tub Trailer? Looks kind of long so I might have to shorten it up a little.

[deanmc]

I think if you put some puckboard on the bottom and a hitch you could just drag it.

[sparky660]

I had thought about that but we go to lakes that you cannot get trucks into. It is quite a drive and dragging it would tear it apart as the ground is rough and really steep.

[Albertadiver]

I had thought about that but we go to lakes that you cannot get trucks into. It is quite a drive and dragging it would tear it apart as the ground is rough and really steep.

To use in up at Spray Lakes, I'd have to make a sled for it. Which may very well be my next project. At the start of the thread, I linked to another person's site of how he made a sled with EMT conduit. I'd do somthing like that, and if fastened to the sled well, you could pull by skidoo or atv.

[deanmc]

I had thought about that but we go to lakes that you cannot get trucks into. It is quite a drive and dragging it would tear it apart as the ground is rough and really steep.

I think it would get beaten up worse behind an atv and tub trailer.

[sparky660]

As long as it is securely fastened by ratchet straps to the top of the tub trailer very little damage, other than rubbing, would occur.

[lsfog]

Ya OK so this is a fine time to pipe in.... Nice job by the way. Increased comfort equals more time on the lake.
One small change to concider is to cut the holes ---sized to fit 5 gal pails.
This one was taught to me from up in the Arctic. It cuts down on the light and COLD wind comeing up the hole. AND dito to the previouse gent on the blocks or runners on the bottom. Get that sucker toasty for you & your Pops and it will be froze tight come sundown // go home time.

[Albertadiver]

Ya OK so this is a fine time to pipe in.... Nice job by the way. Increased comfort equals more time on the lake.
One small change to concider is to cut the holes ---sized to fit 5 gal pails.
This one was taught to me from up in the Arctic. It cuts down on the light and COLD wind comeing up the hole. AND dito to the previouse gent on the blocks or runners on the bottom. Get that sucker toasty for you & your Pops and it will be froze tight come sundown // go home time.

Spent two full days out so far, and hadn't had any problems with freezing. I have a 2x2 framework along the underside of the floor sheathing which reduces the surface area for it to freeze on. I have a frame around each hole as well, don't have any light coming up except through the ice itself. Thanks for the tips.

[lsfog]

The last one I built was 48 " wide X 6 ' long with ski's under sized to run in the ski tracks of the yamaha sled probably 38 " or so it pulled line a dream.
Folded down in long distance travel mode I had a 2x6 frame arround the top side to hold the big gear [ auger - grub box - crash box all the necessarys]
Folded into fish position I had all the interior comforts inc. a small 12 x 48 ish shelf on the back inside to hold the stove / coleman lite and stuff.
I found that unless it was real nasty the single burner lite kept things decient warm.
Due to far north wilderness conditions I always traveled with a well supplied grub box.
So one day I had just filleted up a 4 > 6 lb laker when a couple of WL Officers pulled up.
After they sampled a mug of tea and a slab of "fresh" trout they of course checked my liscence. When asked said that in my case stomach contence did not count in daily posession limit...