Nick Muche
WKR
Home away from home, and the fishing isn’t too bad either. 
Off grid cabin, anyone build one?
- Thread starter go_deep
- Start date
Nick Muche
WKR
The view isn’t too bad, winter or summer. 
Is this the same Nick from Tundra Talk? If so, can you please tell Tyler and the doctor we would like a podcast soon?
Also-awesome pics!
NRA4LIFE
WKR
Going to have one erected this summer at my place in MO. Maybe electric someday. Water may not be possible.
Holy smokes that's amazing.
bbrown
WKR
FYI - a new one just got released
MountainTracker
WKR
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2014
- Messages
- 1,545
I’ve been trying to find a place here in AK but everything I look at needs a plane to get to.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nick Muche
WKR
Quite a few properties up here with access available, yes plane would open more options up but if you are ok with winter only use there are many that have snow machine access all winter long. I can access my place Nov-Apr on a sled. Spend very little time out there in the summer, and it requires a flight, which is fine because there are too many other things to do from May through October.
Let me know if you need any help.
Let me know if you need any help.
rickjames80
WKR
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2013
- Messages
- 694
I want to build one in the worst way. The foundation design is hardest decision for me to make
If you can get concrete or block there at a reasonable expense, that's probably your best bet. If it's remote, neither one of those will be an option (that you're willing to pay for) and you'll be left with some sort of post/beam foundation. This is how we did a friend's cabin in AK with drilled helical piers with adjustable post bases in the event it settled. We did this in 2005 and I'm unsure if they've ever had to make adjustments.
Seeing these photos makes me remember how much I hated digging through alder roots, the permafrost was easier to get through!
Back in the mid 90's some buddies and I built a "houseboat" in the old Santee swamp. That was when the duck hunting was still pretty decent. The cabin is long gone, along with the greenheads, but the fishing is still damn good.
It was floating on approximately (70) 55-gallon plastic drums we sourced from a local plastics plant. (Don't worry, we did actually clean them out and seal them up, lol.). We boated in the materials and worked with generators and waders, keeping a sharp eye out for the hydro-moccasins. It had a nice screened front porch with a fish cleaning sink, one bunk-room and kitchen, with a small back porch and generator stand. We had to bring our own water in but other than that it was totally off grid with propane cooking and heating.
Sadly, photography was not a strong suit of us youngsters in the 90s, so I don't have but a handful of crappy pics. But the memories are still very vivid and we still treasure the shared experiences chasing ducks, catfish, and Bush lights in the Lowcountry swamps....
It was floating on approximately (70) 55-gallon plastic drums we sourced from a local plastics plant. (Don't worry, we did actually clean them out and seal them up, lol.). We boated in the materials and worked with generators and waders, keeping a sharp eye out for the hydro-moccasins. It had a nice screened front porch with a fish cleaning sink, one bunk-room and kitchen, with a small back porch and generator stand. We had to bring our own water in but other than that it was totally off grid with propane cooking and heating.
Sadly, photography was not a strong suit of us youngsters in the 90s, so I don't have but a handful of crappy pics. But the memories are still very vivid and we still treasure the shared experiences chasing ducks, catfish, and Bush lights in the Lowcountry swamps....
UPThunderbolt
Lil-Rokslider
Bought a hunting camp in 1982 (house trailer with an addition), six months after completing a six year US Navy enlistment. Always wanted a log cabin and was waiting until I could afford to build one. In the meantime, I quit my job and went to college ( cabin plans were put on the back burner). In 1992, I decided if I waited until I could afford to build a cabin, I would never have one. So, I started cutting down Jack pine trees for logs. Shortly after cutting down the trees, I took a new job out the area. Skidded the logs out of the bush. And quit for the year.
Year two, traveled home every other week to peel bark of the logs (note to future log cabin builders, peel the bark when the logs are freshly cut! Peeling dry logs sucks!). Luckily, I was able to transfer back to with 50 miles of home at the end of this year.
Year three, put in pillars, built the deck (floor), and put up the log walls. The only power equipment was a chain saw. To raise the logs, I made skids that were propped up against the highest course of logs, slid one end up, tacked in a log dog, then slid the other end up, dogged it, then hooked a come-along between the center of the log and the far wall, took out the slack to hold the log in place. I continued this process until the log was in place. Once there, I used the chain saw to notch and seat the logs. With the floor and walls up, I ran out of money. Project stopped for the year.
Year four: built the gable ends and put on the roof. Ran out of cash.
Year five: bought a wood stove, chinked the logs. Used remnant logs to build an outhouse and a woodshed. Moved into the new camp. Tore down the addition off the original camp and gave the house trailer to an acquaintance who was down on his luck and needed a roof over his head.
Ten years later added an extension on the cabin. Eventually, built a sauna, pump house, and tool shed.
Here are the photos:
Year two, traveled home every other week to peel bark of the logs (note to future log cabin builders, peel the bark when the logs are freshly cut! Peeling dry logs sucks!). Luckily, I was able to transfer back to with 50 miles of home at the end of this year.
Year three, put in pillars, built the deck (floor), and put up the log walls. The only power equipment was a chain saw. To raise the logs, I made skids that were propped up against the highest course of logs, slid one end up, tacked in a log dog, then slid the other end up, dogged it, then hooked a come-along between the center of the log and the far wall, took out the slack to hold the log in place. I continued this process until the log was in place. Once there, I used the chain saw to notch and seat the logs. With the floor and walls up, I ran out of money. Project stopped for the year.
Year four: built the gable ends and put on the roof. Ran out of cash.
Year five: bought a wood stove, chinked the logs. Used remnant logs to build an outhouse and a woodshed. Moved into the new camp. Tore down the addition off the original camp and gave the house trailer to an acquaintance who was down on his luck and needed a roof over his head.
Ten years later added an extension on the cabin. Eventually, built a sauna, pump house, and tool shed.
Here are the photos:
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Smokey Bear
Lil-Rokslider
First off. Thank you for your service!
Your place looks amazing. Lots of years of hard work, and reaping the rewards for many years to come! Love the sauna.
UPThunderbolt
Lil-Rokslider
You are welcome and thank you.
UPThunderbolt
Lil-Rokslider
The wife has special rules for folks using the sauna. Also, truly enjoy snowshoeing (two miles) out to spend a few days in the winter. Here are a few winter photos.
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