Ice Tent Mods

[Bobby B.]

This year I thought it would be great to get into ice fishing so I purchased a Clam tent, a 10" Strikemaster auger, a Big Buddy heater, a 20 lb propane tank, rods and reels, ....... everything needed to enjoy a day out on the ice.

Everything is working out well enough although I encountered a bit of a problem with the SM auger, it wouldn't bite into the ice. Contacted the store where I purchased it and they readily replaced the 'leg' with a new one. The SM now drills holes effortlessly.

The seats in my Clam Denali are much to small for adult sized rear ends. I did spend some time investigating the possible use of boats seats but they lacked significant improvement over the factory seats which came with my tent.

Yesterday, my SIL and I pushed our procrastinations aside and commenced putting my plans into action. We removed the existing seats and correlating hardware completely. We then measured and cut 3/4" plywood to fit in the recessed rim near the top of the sled/bucket of the Clam. This provides a 32"x52" platform to serve as the basis for some seats plus counter space for tackle and other items. Next, we measured and cut some 3/4" plywood to be used as seatbacks as well as some plywood to be used as seatback supports. The seatbacks will be adjustable for angle so the user can determine what's most comfortable for them.

Today, I intend to purchase some thick, cushy foam for seat cushions and some thinner foam for seatback cushions.

Hopefully, all will be completed in time for a field trial this weekend. The end goal is a warmly heated, spacious, and comfortable tent in which to spend enjoyable days out on the ice learning the ins and outs of catching some fish.

Bobby B.

[Hunter Trav]

Modding the sled already eh...yeah, your hooked...LOL

[prosnowsk8er]

i modded my denali also, i'll post some pics up later on maybe! stay tuned

[stinkynuts]

I have a clam Keni and i whent to Can Tire got a boat seat swivel for 10 bucks and the fishing hole and got a plastic mid back fold down boat seat with nice coshin the seat comes with screws to mount the swivel to the seat then i just used bolts in the factory holes in my calm seat mount done now i can sit for days

[Bobby B.]

Picked up some 4" thick closed cell foam for the seats and some 1.5" for the seat backs. Also picked up some hinges. Tomorrow, Dave and I will put everything together for a field test on Saturday.

Tomorrow, I'll post some before and after photos. I hope to learn and memorize how to post photos.

Bobby B.

[Willowtrail]

If your using photobucket it's super easy, pm me, just sitting on couch watching hockey

[Bobby B.]

Originally Posted by Willowtrail

If your using photobucket it's super easy, pm me, just sitting on couch watching hockey

Thanks for the offer but I think I'm starting to catch on. About damn time I pushed past my computor fobia.

Dave and I field tested out new modified seating and it was REAL comfortable. I'll post photos tomorrow of out mods. Not finished quite yet but very happy with our efforts so far.

Bobby B.

[Bobby B.]

more to come

[Bobby B.]

Next on the list is to paint all plywood surfaces white to aid in visual acuity within the dim confines of the tent and to cover the foam seat cushions. If possible, I want the covers to be zebra print or leaopard print or something fun.

Bobby B.

[Daceminnow]

looking good bobby. i've been wanting to post these up for you sooner, but didn't have any pictures taken to do so. it may be too late to help you out now, but maybe others may benefit. i know Nate was asking about this a while back too. i built this console a couple years back for one of my shelters. i originally had plastic swivel boat seats in, but came across some padded frabill ones and swapped them out. hinged the boxes so they would lift up for storage, and installed the all too important cup holders. bobby, you need cup holders.

Dace

[Bobby B.]

Dace,

That looks pretty good. The seat compartments are clever. And, I agree, I need some cupholders. I want them out front where they're handy. I also want to incorporate some rod holders. Sometimes you need something to hold your cup, sometimes you need something to hold your rod.

Bobby B.

[horsetrader]

Originally Posted by Daceminnow

looking good bobby. i've been wanting to post these up for you sooner, but didn't have any pictures taken to do so. it may be too late to help you out now, but maybe others may benefit. i know Nate was asking about this a while back too. i built this console a couple years back for one of my shelters. i originally had plastic swivel boat seats in, but came across some padded frabill ones and swapped them out. hinged the boxes so they would lift up for storage, and installed the all too important cup holders. bobby, you need cup holders.

Dace

Both nice setups.

[dan1]

@ Dace :

Just wondering, when your're pulling the sled/flip tent onto the lake, do you pile your auger up on top of the seats somehow, or do you have to pull another sled with you to pull that equipment out on the lake too?

Thanks,
Dan

[Bobby B.]

Dace,

I've come up with an idea for how to incorporate my cupholders and rod holders. Would you mind sharing where you found your cupholders?

Bobby B.

[Daceminnow]

Originally Posted by Bobby B.

Dace,

I've come up with an idea for how to incorporate my cupholders and rod holders. Would you mind sharing where you found your cupholders?

Bobby B.

beverage holders came from BPS in their boat accessory department. there are rod holders available that mount onto your poles in a flip style shelter. i have a couple and they work ok, i just always like to have the rod in hand. i believe they are made by HT.

Dace

[Daceminnow]

Originally Posted by dan1

@ Dace :

Just wondering, when your're pulling the sled/flip tent onto the lake, do you pile your auger up on top of the seats somehow, or do you have to pull another sled with you to pull that equipment out on the lake too?

Thanks,
Dan

i have another gear sled and pull my frabills behind. sometimes one, sometimes two depends on who's going. i use a quad or snowmachine if we're going any distance from shore or touring in deep snow. here's a pic of the gear sled and one shelter.

Dace

[Bobby B.]

Originally Posted by Daceminnow

i have another gear sled and pull my frabills behind. sometimes one, sometimes two depends on who's going. i use a quad or snowmachine if we're going any distance from shore or touring in deep snow. here's a pic of the gear sled and one shelter.

Dace

Looking good, Dace, looking good. Nothing beats a little organization. Just wondering how you fit it all in the box of your pickup for transportation to the lakes. Thanks for the info on the cup and rod holders, I'll be researching it.

Primed all the plywood surfaces of my sled mods today and will paint it all white tomorrow. I'll post some more photos of my mods when the 'cup and rod holder' is complete. And when the cushions have been covered. Not sure if this will be completed this week as I'm soon off to Maui for some sand, surf and sun. Might even go fishing.

Bobby B.

[dan1]

thanks for Showing, Dace!

[Daceminnow]

Originally Posted by Bobby B.

Looking good, Dace, looking good. Nothing beats a little organization. Just wondering how you fit it all in the box of your pickup for transportation to the lakes. Thanks for the info on the cup and rod holders, I'll be researching it.
Bobby B.

no problem. very carefully. it all goes in. with one shelter the gear sled goes in loaded and the shelter in beside. when hauling both shelters gear sled goes in on its side with most gear pushed up into it, shelters stack one on top the other and the rod buckets tucked safely in behind. i have a cap on my wagon as well, which helps.

Originally Posted by dan1

thanks for Showing, Dace!

anytime Dan.


Dace