Materials Needed:

• 2 - 4' x 8' sheets of plywood
• 1 - utility tarp [sizes vary according to personal preferences]
• 2 - 2" x 2" x 8' pieces of lumber
• 2 - hinges
• 1 - door handle
• Tape measure
• Staplegun and staples
• Jigsaw
• Length of rope [optional]
• Paint [optional]
• Plexiglass [optional]
• Skis [optional]

To begin you will need to cut out the template of your portable shelter. See fig 1 here for a visual idea on the shape for your template as well as a footnote for a suggested floorplan. The easiest way to create the dome shape shown in the graphic is to measure off the 6' mark on the plywood. Next, a pencil attached to a string will work for making the radius. On your 6' mark find the center line, or 2 feet from the edge, as a reference point. Secure your string exactly below the center line on the plywood and use your pencil to draw the top radius while attached to the string. The actual arch of the radius will depend on the length of your string. Thats a personal preference which can vary for each project. Once you've marked and cut this first radius simply lay it atop the second piece of plywood and mark for a duplicate used for both ends of your portable.

Now is the time when you can begin some real personalizing of the project. It is suggested that you paint the plywood to help protect it from the harsh elements but it is not required. The entire portable will last longer with some protective coating on the exposed wood surface. Time to cut out a door. The graphic shown in figure 2 suggests a doorway size of 4' high by 2' in width. Again, this is for reference. In several cases we have seen these same portables built with a doorway on each end to provide easier access when two fishermen are utlizing the same portable. Once your doorway is cut-out and attached you can move on to some ventilation holes. We strongly recommend ventilation to those using a portable heater. A series of holes drilled above the doorway on both ends of the portable should suffice. If all is well at this point you can move onto the tarping or shell of the project.

Figure 3 shows how to measure the tarp for the correct size needed. As suggested you will be best served to add at least 2 feet to the total tarp size to allow for banking of the sides. This works extremely well in windy conditions and also provides some extra anchor to the entire portable. I've seen these things stand up to the worst winds with no problems. Next you would begin to staple your tarp to your front and back plywood panels. Start in the center of your template with the center of your tarp and work to each side uniformly for best results. Another consideration before stapling your tarp would be the rough edges of the plywood rubbing against the utility tarp. An old garden hose split down the middle and attached to the edges of your plywood template would add a lot of protection to these stress areas of the tarp.

Once you've attached the tarp to both ends you're pretty much home free. To finalize the project you need to create some braces using the 2x2's. For this portion of the project you can use some of the scrap plywood leftover from cutting your template radius. Cut out 4 pieces shaped like a "U" with the inside portion being at least 2 inches in width to accomodate your 2x2 braces. These will work as supports for the bracing. Fasten each support to the "inside" of your portable once it is stretched out. [Keep in mind the covered wagon shape] Attach one support to each side of your plywood panels [from the inside with the open portion facing up] roughly 3 feet from the ground in identical spots. Cut your 2x2's to the proper length needed to stretch the tarp and push the walls apart until your tarp tightens. Slide one end of each 2x2 into your "U" shaped brackets and your portable will stand on it's own.

If desired you can attached a pair of skis to one end of your portable as well as a rope to allow towing behind an ATV or snowmobile. The large platform of the portable provides plenty of room to bungee down gear like augers, rods and reels, buckets, heaters, or whatever gear you carry for each trip. All in all the project is quite easy and affordable. Prices will vary according to the thickness of your plywood, the option for paint, plexiglass windows, skis, and any other personalization. All in all, once you have the materials you can build the most basic model in roughly 2 hours time.