New Auger Advice??

[jonboatjunkie]

Hi Everyone,

I am in the market for buying a gas auger and am looking at the Eskimo Z51 Shark. Is this a good auger to get? I like the price and the power of it, but will it get the job done while out on the ice? I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. How does it compare to the Jiffys and Strikemasters?

Thanks!

[tsande00]

I am a StrikeMaster fan and always will be but if I was going to get any other gas auger that would probably be my choice.

I think all the major auger manufacturers make quality units (everybody seems satisfied with their purchase). My guess is you'll be happy with that Eskimo. Probably the most bang for your buck in the auger market.

If you have the need to whiz through a hole in a couple of seconds with not putting any effort into it than look into a StrikekMaster Lazer or Nils. Otherwise go with that Eskimo and you'll probably have a great auger that lasts you a long time.

[deathmatch782]

I had a Z51 Shark a few year ago. It was a nice auger, but I had some issues with it.

Bought a new Strikemaster Solo this year.

With any of the major brands, you should be fine. I know many like strikemaster since their local.

[CaptainMusky]

I have a strikemaster laser mag with the solo engine and absolutely love it. It cuts through the ice so fast and with ease.

I do not have or know anyone who has an Eskimo, but I am sure they would do the job for you.

The main differences you will see is motor manufacturer and weight. I believe the Eskimos have a Tecumseh motor on them. Perfectly fine motor and they powered many of the other brands for years including Strikemaster. Easy to get parts for too if something were to go wrong.

If you hole hop at all, the weight will be something you notice. Nils and Strikemasters are the lightest that I have used.

[deathmatch782]

Most of the Eskimo's use their Viper engine.

I know when I got my strikemaster, that it dropped ~8lbs or so.

[GotALunker]

Just bought a SM Pro Lazer and WOW! It is awwweeesooome!

Cuts fast, light weight, good stature. can't beat it!

[jBohmer]

I have an Eskimo Stingray (i think it is a Stingray). Bought it used from a guy. I have not really had any issues with it except for a couple of minor things that I cannot blame on the manufacturer. It starts in two to three pulls cold about everytime and I do not seem to have any issue cutting through the ice. I even have an extension on it for really thick ice and it just putts away until I break through. I have used a Strikemaster and thought it to be a real good machine. I think price is what compels me what to buy as long as it starts and cuts reasonably well.

[mww24]

I have a 3 year old eskimo with a 9 inch auger. The only problem I've had is I didn't summerize it after the first winter. Rookie mistake. I had a friend clean the carb and have taken proper car of it since. There have been no isssues since except for some leaky gas lines which is most likely due to ethanol eating them away. Simple dollar fix. It is heavy though. It works and cuts holes and was the cheapest of the bunch. If money is no concern I would buy a lighter model. If budgets are tight which I know mine is I doubt you'll be dissapointed.

[Northlander]

I have a friend with that auger and he has no issues with it. Good auger for the price. Run good gas and Amsoil Saber in it and you will be fine.

The Strikemaster, Jiffy and Nils will be a better auger but of course more money. Get what your pocket book can afford.

I will say if you cut a ton of holes I would get something lighter and faster. If your a weekend warrior that auger will do you fine.

[minnesotathorn]

i had an eskimo 10".& it was ok. wanted a 9" so i sold it & bought a strike-lite 4 stroke. broke the plastic auger called co. & they sent me a new steel auger (my request)no charge. was out of warranty but no hassle at all. i love this one. it is light ,fast, & normally starts on first pull. you just need to lay it down on the correct handle to keep from leaking oil.

[fisherman-andy]

Take it from another Eskimo Z51 owner, you will not be

disappointed. Eskimos augers are underrated on here and they cut just as good and just as fast as the so claim better augers out there. Get the model that has the 9" cut. The Z51 will shred through the ice with ease.

[jonboatjunkie]

Thanks for all the info, guys! I really appreciate it!

[jeepguy]

Eskimo Mako 43cc on sale @ COSTCO Maple Grove and Eden Prairie. $269. Sells for $349 everywhere else. heck of a deal

[tsande00]

Eskimo Mako 43cc on sale @ COSTCO Maple Grove and Eden Prairie. $269. Sells for $349 everywhere else. heck of a deal

That's half price of a new top of line auger!

Might take a bit longer to cut holes and some additional elbow grease but if your only cutting a few holes who the heck cares? Tough to pass up that deal.

[Hammy]

I picked up a Mako at FF for under $260. I was unable to justify another $200 plus on a SM but I tried hard b/c that was what I had my eye on. I cut around 100 holes, it rips through fast, starts on the first start and has a 2 year warranty.

It is a crazy deal that I couldn't pass up. I talked to the eskimo people at the ice show and asked them why they could do this so cheap. They said it was due to the fact they my more tecumseh engines then anyone else, summer and winter, and got a deal on the vipers and are passing it on to us. I also asked them about the "gunk" you'll read about on these boards and they claim that if you keep your ratio's in the recommended range you should be fine and they mentioned the warranty again.

Nils, SM, Jiffy... What I have read is opinion and fanfare. I think the facts are any of the big boys are going to give you a good auger but only Eskimo is making it affordable. any difference in performance is incremental and you need to decide if that small (relative to starting from nothing) incremental improvement is worth $200+.

My 2 cents.

[mrpike1973]

i just had a mako. i think it was a good auger had some gas leak issues with it nothing bad. however i bought a s/m magnum with the solo moter runs great. the biggest deal is i dropped 8# when i went to the s/m. i find myself moving around alot more than i used to. if you dont move much the eskimo is great. if your a hole hopper find something lighter. i could be wrong. i think the viper moters are made in north korea. the solo in germany.

[123fish]

mrpike1973 is there much difference in cutting speed with your chipper blade versus the Lazer shaver blades?

[ryan p]

New Strikemaster ProLazers are hard to beat, I use a chipper blade for reopening holes on my rentals and the chipper is slower. I use the Pro Lazer for my pre fishing and it does cut like butter. Check out the video below that Greg did.

[clm]

I bought a new Eskimo mako last year. shipped to the door for $260. best bang for the buck in my opinion. starts first pull, drills hole with little effort, and quick. i would recommend it to anyone.

[mrpike1973]

i would say the chipper is slightly slower but being lighter was nice

[NAMASafetyDirector]

My Dad, brother and I all converted over to Eskimo last year running a Z71, Z51 and myself with a Mako 43. No problems or complaints whatsoever with over 400 holes drilled combined on LOW last year. Cutting speed is a bit slower with my 43 but only adds up to about a minute or so less of fishing time when it's all said and done. All 3 cut excellent and start on the 1st or second pull every time all the time! I like the metal handle on the 43 strictly for durability. I bought 3 new strikemasters the year prior and busted the handles on all 3 in one year. Called strikemaster customer service and they were more than happy to sell me new ones at $48 bucks a pop! Easy decision.....ESKIMO!

[trophyhunt28]

I bought a new Jiffy 10"propane auger,it was the best investment I ever made.It redrills holes like hot butter.

[slurpie]

I used to have an Eskimo was a good auger ran smooth turned slow cut decent. If i had a wheel house might have kept it but to heavy for drilling lots of holes.

[tomfromblaine]

I have a strike master and my buddy has the eskimo and he has never had any prob's except when he put crummy chain saw gas in, it got all gooked up, I got him into the amsoil and no prob's since, just treat it right and it will cut holes forever.

Tom

[3kidsfishing]

Went with Jiffy 8 inch propane auger and so far as stated earlier on the post would agree with one of the best ice fishing investments I've made!