Super Shak portable ice fishing shanty house

More info available on my website at www.earlsenchu....
This was the 1992 promotional video for the patented Senco Super Shak that was manufactured throughout the '90's until Senco closed its doors in year 2000. Astounding to me is that there are so many Super Shaks still in use after over 20 years.

[@katied8158]

*Great lightweight shelter. **enjoyable.fishing** recommend it’s love how it blocks the light from outside. It was a pain to open the first time but now that it is broke in goes up easy..*

[@bulldog2200]

Awesome shak!!! I've had mine for over 30 yrs. And no,,,,it ain't for sale 😁🐟

[@wkualum3194]

I bought one yesterday for $240. It had just been redone with new black Alaskan canvas. The guy i bought it from was super nice and I feel he gave me a good deal. The ease of set up, aluminum frame and skis were big selling points. Now I have to come up with some shelves.

[@EarlSenchuk]

Good for you. They are hard to find. Originally, Super Shaks sold as kits ($329) and took about 8-10 hours on average to put together. I have a copy of the assembly and instruction manual. Might help you with the shelf aspect. The shelves keep things off the floor. Very handy. Good luck this season. Catch lots of fish!

[@mgleason2200]

I've been hunting for one of these for 2 years and finally landed one in the Marquette area. Can't wait to get it out on the ice!

[@snakemadness1439]

Homelessness comes to mind here with this tiny type home .Awesome

[@EarlSenchuk]

I think so too. Caring for the homeless is going to be an ever-growing need.

[@EarlSenchuk]

Congratulations! Good luck fishing this winter.

[@jendro1212]

now I want one of these

[@joewoodchuck3824]

I never knew about this great design. It could serve as a camping tent too. A lot of similar products are gimmicky, but this one is quite nice!

[@EarlSenchuk]

Thanks for the compliment, Joe. My patent attorney actually said to me, "Stop inventing on this! Just file for the patent." Wish we could add photos to our comments because I think people would get a chuckle to see how far I went with this design including variations for camping, ice fishing, hunting, and gardening. All 19 claims to variations were accepted.

[@EarlSenchuk]

@Joseph W I appreciate your persistence and that of all the others who make contact with me trying to locate a Super Shak. I have been kicking around the idea of a "Super Shak Essentials Kit" whereby the largest and most difficult items to ship by size could be purchased locally.

[@valeraskripkin4031]

@@EarlSenchuk ЗДРАСТВУЙТЕ..Видел одну у нас в КАЗАХСТАНЕ в 1996ГОДУ очень ПОНРАВИЛАСЬ..Очень ПЛОХО что вы ушли с рынка ...С удовольствием купил бы себе и сыновьям ..

[@EarlSenchuk]

@@valeraskripkin4031 That's amazing! Thanks for sharing.

[@roberttaylor8261]

Nice shak an light as as hell! Many knock offs from this design but this is the real deal! By time buy all parts a material an build it it’s cheaper to find an old timer in The Yoop that has given up or told an buy a used one! If see one Buy it they don’t last long when listed!

[@edmuboro4582]

Very generous size allows for a more roomy feel on the ice

[@EarlSenchuk]

Senco, Inc. (Senchuk Company) stopped making the Super Shak in 1999. I'm pleased to know that hundreds of them are still in use. Super Shaks were sold as a kit throughout the 90's for $349 and took an average of about 10 hours to put together. Probably why there are so many still out there in use; familiarity with the product. The written instruction manual was 40 pages long! The video manual was 40 minutes long. The welded aluminum frames provided support for the skis on one wall, and a fully loaded cargo box on the other wall. The end wall facings are a 1/4" thick fluted HDPE plastic made by Diversiplast in Minnesota. When collapsed, the Super Shak became a sled to haul all ice fishing gear, including a power auger. Eight "dial-a-vents" could be adjusted for wind and safe ventilation. Spring hinged doors saved heat when stepping outside. Portholes in both doors and windows with Velcro window covers came standard. Fold away shelves, cargo box, tow bar for hookup to a snowmobile, slush guard bra, were accessories. The Super Shak after assembly weighed 55 lbs. When 19 people went through the ice in Minnesota around 1994, it was the first time I ever heard the words, "El Nino." That news spread like wildfire and it just about killed the ice fishing industry. Can't trust winter to be winter-like anymore. The patent for the Super Shak had 19 claims approved and is actually titled, "Collapsible Utility Shelter." It served a range of different uses, one of which is a greenhouse we called, "the Germinette." The market for ice fishing was so finicky back then, I chose to enter the greenhouse market with the same basic frame and a clear cover. The Germinette took the market by storm. You can see this and other variations on my website at www.earlsenchuk.com.

[@chrispierce2942]

Definitely should produce these again

[@bulldog2200]

Earl Senchuk,. I bought mine in January of 93 and still have it. I gotta tell you that it only took me 2 1/2 to assemble by myself, not 10 hours and the instructions were only about 4 pages, not 40

[@EarlSenchuk]

@@bulldog2200 You must have the oldest Super Shak on record! The average assembly time was about 8-10 hours. You did it in record time. There was a 40 minute video manual that came with every Super Shak starting around 1994 as well as a 40 page instruction manual. They must have come out after you made your purchase. Thanks for buying a quality Senco product.

[@Fullyautomaticmechanic]

Earl Senchuk you should seriously consider either selling this design to another company or re-introduce it to the ice fishing market. I’m born and raised in MN and have been ice fishing my whole life. I was ice fishing in 94 and today. Your absolutely correct the market for Ice fishing was very small and delicate back in those days. Today it’s huge and the market is booming!! It could prove to be very lucrative for you! Good luck! By the way I want one

[@EarlSenchuk]

@@Fullyautomaticmechanic Thank you Tyler. The powers that be are looking into just that.

[@capt.shaffer8655]

Genius design

[@gaetand7310]

Wow nice cabane fishing

[@EarlSenchuk]

There were four big issues that came up often from ice fishermen using the portables of the 90's. They wanted a fish house/shanty that could be set up quickly even on a windy day, a flat, non-slip floor, more room to fish, and be able to put the holes where 'you' wanted them, not by the manufacturer's convenience to design. The Super Shak could never be manufactured for a reasonable price in this day and age, but, (thinking out loud here) what do you think about the possibility of a "Super Shak Essentials Kit?" Such a kit would include the critical elements needed to make 4 foot wide by 8 foot long Super Shak (production models were 6-1/2 feet), and would allow the user to put the holes wherever he or she wants them. The rest of the large, costly to ship items like wood for the end wall frames, Styrofoam, plastic profile board, paint, etc. would be purchased locally. The kit would include an easy to follow instruction guide. Such a kit does not exist so I could not possible quote a price. Just Phishing for ideas.

[@sparkdog44]

Earl Senchuk. I wonder what happened to you and the company. I bought a number of Super Shaks and started start selling them in Western Canada. Imported a few of the portable blinds too. Never did receive the SuperCap. No sooner did I get started and then Senco Inc company shut down. I could have sold many more if they were available.

[@EarlSenchuk]

Sorry about that. Our operations were on an Air Force base that had been converted to civilian use. Senco was the very first lease on that base. When our building became part of the airport properties we were told to leave. 29 people lost their jobs on that phone call. Sad day for all!

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Coroplast might be a possibility for the shell. Not cheap though and I don't know the allowable temperature range..

[@EarlSenchuk]

@@joewoodchuck3824 Coroplast looks similar to the material I used to make the end panels for the Super Shak. It was referred to as "profile board," a twin-wall HDPE sheet made by a Minnesota company, Diversiplast. It is very lightweight and most often used to make signs. You can increase the R-factor for insulation if you plug the fluted openings on the ends.

[@camerongoltz5578]

I got a canvas craft shanty for $50. No skis, but can fit on a toboggan. Very thick canvas, it’s black so it can attract heat better. Had a large spear hole and 2 normal holes. It’s about 5ft tall, 6 1/2 ft long, and 4 feet wide. When folded up its 3 1/4ft long, 4 ft wide, and 6 inches thick. It only weighs about 100lbs. It’s basically this but with more pros and cons

[@EarlSenchuk]

Sounds exciting, especially with all those pros and cons.

[@cavalierguy6754]

They don't need to be made any longer, I still have mine! Might sell it if the price is right!

[@chrispierce2942]

And what price might that be?

[@donaldliestman2943]

Do they still make these if not i imagine they are hard to find

[@EarlSenchuk]

Amazing to me is that after 25 years, people still find them used on Craigslist. Good luck!

[@ryangodfrey4805]

@@EarlSenchuk Still have mine. My dad purchased it back in the 90's just took it out to red lake last weekend. Thing it bullet proof!!

[@photofather1]

I have a Pop up camper i converted into a Ice shack I would love to use one of these to be more mobil on the lake seems easier to set up then my popup shack

[@bulldog2200]

I still have one. Bought mine in 93

[@roniler7960]

Do you have company name,address,phone #,web address by chance?

[@bulldog2200]

@@roniler7960 the company was in the UP back then but I heard they went to California. Sorry bro. I will make some calls and check

[@roniler7960]

Thanks bull dog,Much appreciated.

[@bulldog2200]

@@roniler7960 bad news Ron, they folded up because of aluminum prices and went to California to build green houses. I did see some for sale on the internet.

[@EarlSenchuk]

Actually, the Super Shak patent is for a portable utility shelter that has since run its course. We simply started using the same framework to build portable greenhouses (same patent protection) that were sold through all the top seed catalogs in the country. The market was 10 times bigger for greenhouses. We never moved to California.

[@quest2outdoors]

Would love to have one of these too bad they don’t make them anymore🥲

[@danielkarczewski2467]

Hi so what is the cost of a Super Shak essential Kit ? and where can I get one ? Marquette ?

[@leozuniga9876]

I want one👍👌

[@BHB3803]

You can make these with 1 sheet of 5/8 plywood, a tarp, and a 8’ 2x4. Then you just need a pole or cut a tree sapling for use as spreader bar. Mine works fine.

[@BHB3803]

I meant 2 sheets of plywood.

[@Francois_Dupont]

fucking hell mate, thats 200lbs of material. this one weighted 50lbs and that is just right.

[@casey197930]

Let's see that masterpiece on a video?? 🤣

[@EarlSenchuk]

BH3803, Please share with us your results.

[@fortniteuser9352]

I just bought one on Craigslist

[@connormiller9145]

Scott Lorge what’s it like

[@EarlSenchuk]

Craigslist is where most people find them these days.

[@rongolgin2864]

I Found one lake holiday Illinois 150 bucks. I love it

[@EarlSenchuk]

Congratulations!

[@JustinTopp]

Found one and I really like the design but the canvas is junk so I’m gonna have to keep looking

[@EarlSenchuk]

Thanks for your persistence, Justin. The fabric is a 200 Denier Oxford Nylon with DWR/URE (Durable water repellent and blackout urethane coating). You should be able to find a source online. A Super Shak requires 6-1/2 lineal yards of fabric, but 7 yards leaves a little extra for patching if you ever need it. The Super Shaks were made in the '90s. I recommend to Super Shak owners that if their Shak gets invaded by mice while in storage or otherwise damaged then remove the cover, save the plastic strips inside, and use the old cover as a template to make a new one.

[@Jeffrey-do8di]

I made my own. I got the pattern from michigan outdoors back in the 90s.

[@roniler7960]

Jeffery do you by chance still have the pattern/diagram?

[@chrispierce2942]

And a material list?

[@Jeffrey-do8di]

No

[@roniler7960]

Ok thanks

[@michaelschmidt4618]

I remember how to make one of those shanties as I built many of the them for my ice fishing buddies and I sold them also, get ahold of me at 602-664-0461 and I will tell you how to make your own

[@brawnswolo4057]

Why did they ever stop making these

[@kellymalone9956]

I used to live in one

[@EarlSenchuk]

I camped out in mine a number of times.

[@ptmmatssc13]

To bad these are not made today

[@rska460]

Nice hut were can you buy them

[@rska460]

Thanks

[@rska460]

You can't buy one already built

[@EarlSenchuk]

It's true. I encourage DIYers to use the fluted plastic. It used to be called profile board. The plastic end panels come in 4 by 8 sheets and are sold through many sign companies. You can purchase them in black or white.

[@nickmartinez7163]

How much does it cost

[@michael-ki4sr]

Now I want one or at least want to build one have any plans for this?

[@EarlSenchuk]

There is an exploded view on my website at earlsenchuk.com/inventions/fishing. Lots of similar designs are shown on KZbin that you can pattern after. Weight, sturdiness, warmth, and ventilation are the most important factors.

[@johnguth5376]

Why can't I buy it anywhere?!

[@EarlSenchuk]

Senco, Inc. the manufacturer of Super Shaks closed its doors in the late 90's. Some have found success on Craigslist. You can find pictures of details on my website at www.earlsenchuk.com/inventions/fishing. Perhaps the drawings will help you to design your own.

[@mikewhisky9605]

Old fashioned way. Of fishing is with a gill net

[@johnkopplin6622]

Use to build this bad in ND to fish Devils Lake. Funny

[@mrgoose3213]

Do you have blueprints from the ones you made. I'm thinking of building one and see how they work

[@larryhorkman83]

Hi Ron, did you build a Super Shak? I built a 2"=1' scale model, I'm glad I did because their is some thinking into this shack when building. But my plan is to build a one man shack. I do have a Tip Down Shanty for when I can drive my truck on the ice.

[@jschneider8992]

I can see why these went out of business cuz they're way too easy to build three sheets of plywood couple of hinges and good tarp

[@EarlSenchuk]

Please show us how easy it is. Thank you.

[@rongolgin2864]

I want one 2

[@user-wi4sv9wm3s]

Ребята где купить и сколько стоит?

[@EarlSenchuk]

Производство Super Shaks прекращено в 1999 году. Извините!

[@todds5956]

I just bought one like new for 150

[@EarlSenchuk]

That's a rare find! Congratulations.

[@huntermura5696]

I have one for sale. In Wi pm me if interested

[@brianbekkala3157]

I'm looking 4 one [e-mail]

[@ericjastromski6362]

Hunter, Still have the shack?

[@troymintz1101]

Hey Hunter !!You still have that thing ???