What size snowmobile

[desert_bulls]

What do people think would be the min. size for a sled pulling a 150 pounds of ice house and gear?

[Jack Peterson]

You could pull that with a 340cc sled.

I'd recommend a 500 or 600cc sled. Then it can be a multi-purpose machine.

[Esox_Magnum]

Flipover?? Any sled will do they don't pull hard at all if you have runners on the tub.

[vman11]

If you do a lot of late ice fishing factor in liquid cooled machines as some days might easily get well above freezing.

[desert_bulls]

I have a frabill trekker dlx. I'm putting runners on the fish house this weekend. I'm looking to get a 488, so I just to make sure I have enough power.

[desert_bulls]

So your saying go with a liquid cool?

[vman11]

Its nice to have that feature in your back pocket. I'm definately not a sled expert, but if I'm on the lake in warmer temps towing some gear I think I'd want a liquid.

Anybody else have opinions on this? Maybe it doesn't matter?

[Esox_Magnum]

Fans work to not like your fishing in warm temps ofetn, with a LC then you need scratchers if no snow cover. Lots of guys run the old 70'80's sleds that arent LC and do just fine.

[Greg Clusiau]

I run an older 470 Ski-Doo "Grand Touring" and haven't had any trouble pulling larger shelters like a Clam "Voyager" and Otter "Lodge". The key thing here is slush. Once your in it, even a small one-man shelter can seem like an anchor. It's then that it's full-throttle until your out of it.

[vector4me]

After many years and all different situations my opinion is that anything that is is a 440 or bigger will be fine. Fan Cooled versus liquid really isn't that much of a issue, if you pay attention. More importantly is low snow and what that can do to the track and suspension. I would strongly recommend some studs in the track. Once you have those in you will wonder how you ever got by without.

[FrontenacPike]

I would definetly go with a liquid cooled sled. When temps get around that 25 deg or warmer you will notice a loss of power in a air cooled. Like posted earlier anything over a 440 cc will do just fine. I too would invest in some studs for the track. When your sled is at a complete stop and with the weight of you plus your load it will take you forever to get moving without studs....not to mention you can lock up your track by melting your slides.

[BrdHunter01]

I would go with a wheeler.... Most of these above problems would not be an issue IMO

[magicstix]

Fan cooled for sure, you don't have to have snow/water hitting the coolers in the tunnel like you should with a liquid. You still have to be concerned with slide lubrication of some type. A fan cooled if running properly will run just fine in all temps also just like a liquid. I'd even suggest a long track with a few studs 120-144. you may need to add carbide on the front too, but you'll be able to start,stop,and turn with control.

[MJ1657]

I agree. A fan cooled sled will work fine. They are usually lighter sleds.\ which is nice.

[FrontenacPike]

How much are you looking to spend? Are you leaning towards a specific brand or are you open to all? I have been around snowmobiles my whole life and one thing i would recomend is if possible buy a new one. If buying a new one isnt a possibilty make sure you know who rode it. Kids and young adults ride sleds hard. Snowmobiles break down alot and if you get one that had a hard life you will be spending more time fixing it than riding it....not to mention a big money pit.

[splakeshaker]

I recommend getting a 2up. Its nice to have a longer track and the ability to haul a partner around. I have an '92 440 and pulling my loaded down house and two grown adults on it is pushing its limits a bit. Not a very comfortable ride either.. If it's just me, then it's great...If you using it strictly for ice fishing...stud the track.

[magnum mike]

For ice fishing and pulling loads, bigger is BETTER. Long track and as big a power plant as you can afford. Once you get one stuck in slush you will understand. I run a 700 EFI Cat and there are times I wish I had a bigger sled. If you are running on established trails and pulling a smooth gliding sled, anything should work. If you are going exploring and could encounter slush, heed this warning...

[leech~~]

I used to pull my porty with a little 377 Skidoo 2-up long track for years and it did ok. I do have a 550 Polaris 2-up long track now and as mag-mike says it does work better in the deep snow and slush off the trails which is pretty much where I fish now away from the crowds. But any sled you can come up with that gets you out on the lake, have fun with it! Just don't head off to far from help!

[desert_bulls]

I'm looking for something used, don't want to spend a lot. I'm not looking any specific brand. I'm looking hard for something that has been adult ridden only. I will spend the extra money if I find something I think is worth it though, I won't buy a junk machine because it's cheap.

[LightningBG]

I'm looking for something used, don't want to spend a lot. I'm not looking any specific brand. I'm looking hard for something that has been adult ridden only. I will spend the extra money if I find something I think is worth it though, I won't buy a junk machine because it's cheap.

Check HSO classifieds. There is a yamaha phazer II (480cc) on there. very reliable. adult ridden (60yo).

good track. runs good in all temps. elec start. great gas mileage.

lightweight sled (approx 425lbs)

[Jack Peterson]

Irresponsible Kids and young adults ride sleds hard.

Fixed that for ya.

[B@ssmaster]

I've fished with both ATV's and sleds for years. Most of my fishing is done on a small lake without truck access, so I use the "toys" a lot. I too would say that most sleds will pull most portables under most conditions, but as stated, when you hit slush, life gets interesting. I used to run an '80 Blizzard with a 500cc. Got that thing stuck in slush more times than I care to remember. It just didn't have the power that the newer technology offers. Now I own two sleds, I fish with the '97 Grand Touring 583! Bigger engine, more horsepower, plus the longer track for better floatation in slush and better grip in snow (more ground contact.) There have been a few times I've hit deep slush unexpectedly and that extra power has saved me from the hassle of digging out. Personally, after all these years, I think the 600 class 2 ups are a minimum for me now, if I ever buy another fishing sled..... Obviously, they don't have to be decked out like a GT, just be sure that they have a decent engine size and a long track (IMHO.)

[FrontenacPike]

I'm looking for something used, don't want to spend a lot. I'm not looking any specific brand. I'm looking hard for something that has been adult ridden only. I will spend the extra money if I find something I think is worth it though, I won't buy a junk machine because it's cheap.

Desert you sound a lot like me, willing to spend the extra money if it will save me regrets in the future. I agree with going bigger than needed, I've hit slush a couple times on the river and it can be scary...never know if there is ice below the slush. When you feel your tail sink you wanna have the power to pull you through it. Another thing I would look for is a twin and not a triple cylinder. I have noticed on the sleds I have ridden that twins have more torque and are more snappier (perfect for slush). Your on the right track, adult ridden is a must!!!

[LgMouth]

Nice thread. I had this same question last year. I had been using an ATV for the previous 6 years pulling a Trap 2 man but when the snow gets deep (as someone earlier stated) life gets interesting... So on a limited budget, and never having a snowmobile before, I found a nice, gently used, limited miles, 340, fan cooled, 2-up Arctic Cat Panther. On the subject of air vs. liquid - my "advisors" told me that air = minimal maintenance (which is what I was looking for). As for the "slush experience", I unfortunately had my first encounter with my wife on the back! We didn't have to dig out, but I wondered afterwards if a bigger engine would have helped...

In the end, having both ATV and now Snowmobile - you need to also consider the accessories. It is very easy to add my summer Lowrance 522i to my ATV - not so much on the sled. Also, my auger mounts on ATV very easily - on sled, I have to either put it on top of the Trap - or - tow an additional "tub".

I would also add - The sled is much more fun with a fresh 5 inches of powder snow - if you've never experienced it, you may even give up fishing for a day :-)

[Surface Tension]

Ski Doo LE 380 Long Track.

Never been stuck in slush or powder and I look for trouble.

Pulling huge loads on the ice to trail riding the sled rides great and keeps going.

I might have the throttle pinned on the straight aways but to me that is better then the dults that panic on a sled that is obvious they can't handle with 1/2 second bursts.

Seriously, if I wanted to ride like a fool on the Nor Shore trails, 3/4 of the riders out there would be in my dust.

The rider makes all the difference.

When lakes have a soft pack of snow with glare ice underneath guess which sled will spin down and go nowhere first with that probable behind you.