wide vs, narrow skis for otter sled

[Hoffer]

Hey guys-

Just looking for some advice. I want to put some skis on the bottom of my Otter sled so that it gets above the snow and pulls easier. I have access to some old cross country skis. They are all wood and somewhat narrow. I am wondering if these would work - or if I should hold out for some old wider style winter snow skis?

I am also thinking the material on the bottom of the snow skis might be better for sliding along the snow than the wood cross country skis?

Has anyone put some skis on their Otter sleds or similar?

any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks-

Hoffer

[dairyman]

I put a pair of cross country skis on my frabill sled---cost $10 protects the bottom of the sled--------make sure you counter sink the attaching screws

[Hoffer]

Dairyman

Did the skis help the sled pull easier too?

I am not too concerned with the bottom of the sled protection...my sled is pretty old

I am just looking for an easier pull especially with all this new snow.

Thanks!

[ac777]

I think any kind of skis would help, but I think the fiberglass kind would be even better, I put an old set on my spear shack CLick and one person can push it on the lake, even through several inches of snow. I know my fish trap pulls really hard in the snow, so I'm sure any kind of ski would help immensely.

[Hoffer]

ac

Thanks...I saw your post on a different thread. very cool spear house. I wish I had one...I grew up on a lake in the Wes central part of the state that is crystal clear and has big norts.

Are those just regular old "snow skis" ??

[Jim Almquist]

Hoffer

There was a time when I would put skis on the bottom of my Clam but it was to protect the bottom and did not really help with dragging it. If there was some way that you you could elevate it so there would be less drag is the best option. I made a sled to haul my 8x8 Canvas Craft fishhouse behind the snowmobile and it has a good 10" of clearance and pulls very easy with downhill skis. I have Hyfax on my Otter and that helps with the drag and makes it track better.

[hydro]

If you use downhill or cross country skiis, use a heat gun and melt a coat of candle wax onto the bottoms of the skiis to make it slide even easier. You will be surprised how much of a difference this makes.

[Hoffer]

jimalm-

yes, I was going to install 4 inch blocks of wood between the skis and the bottom of the sled - so that it rides up higher. I am hoping that would make a difference in pulling it.

Its an older otter sled and one that is a little too small for what i really want - so if I experiment a bit with it - thats OK. My hope is to get enough clearance and an easier slide. I am going to stack my portable on top and fill the interior with the equipment like tipups and auger etc...

up until now I have done that - but its a bear to pull for any kind of distance.

I though of the hyfax route - but want some clearance and figure an old pair of snow skies will be alot cheaper!

[NCLaker]

As Jim said, Hifax helps, but if you have to pull it through snow (maybe over 4-6") it will still be hard to pull by hand since it sinks and you end up plowing through the snow. Your idea to raise it up 4" should help.

[Mainehazmt]

wow would never have thought people had issues like this with an otter all I have on them is hyfax runners and it rides right on top of the snow even the otter that has my village and thats 200 lbs easy Im actually looking at carbides to keep it tracking right on the occasional glare ice

[Jim Almquist]

Hoffer

That will make a ton of difference when you are pulling by hand. I think you will really love it.