best smowmobile for ice fishing

[muskybuck]

What do you people think is the most reliable snowmobile on the market nowadays. I am looking for one mostly for fishing. Would be building a rack on back for my fish trap and so on. My wife thinks we would do a little trail riding. I'm thinking very little. How big of engine should I be looking for. I would like electric start and reverse as I will be getting my AARP invite my next birthday. Thank you very much.

[minneman]

I found myself in the same place last year, I had the money and the need for mobility icefishing, and some trail riding, I dont like to pull start so elec start and reverse seemed to be a plus. I also didnt want a liquid cooled.

after all the dealers gave me their 2cents on all turing style sleds, I chose the panther esr 570, I only put 220 mi. on it last year but of them I am satisfied. Its no rocket, does 70-75 and rides real smooth. the big seller was the price. 500-1000less than the comp. this was my first sled purchase. I do own a 75 pantera, that I traded an old truck for,wanted it for pulling fishouse. but because its a cat had no influence on my purchase, by the way Its for sale $100

whatever your buy, get what you realy want.

[Guest]

ski doo scandic

[HardH2O]

Minneman,
where are you located?
Do you have any pics of the sled for sale?
Thanks, David

[minneman]

Detroit lakes area,I could find a pic if you like.

[MnIceman]

I like my 95 Ski-Doo touring SLE for ice fishing. Electric start, reverse,hitch,500 fan and roomy 2-up seat. Bought it new and have 3600 miles on it. Wife rides it trail riding and it rides better than her old 94 Polaris sport SKS. I took both up to Lake of the Woods ice fishing one time with 4 of us and gear. Both worked well except for minimal crust covered snow on the lake. The Polaris would not break up the snow and lube the slides. They stuck with 2 guys on it out on the lake. The Ski-Doo had no problems because the track would break it up and lube the slides. If the polaris stayed behind the Ski-Doo ,right in the track it was fine. The Ski-Doo was roomier for 2 guys. The 2 on the polaris had to be pretty close together.
New sleds are much nicer and might not compare in the same way.

[Guest]

Muskybuck, I've got the perfect sled for you. '72 cheetah 399. It's got a leopard seat, and less than 1000 miles on it. It's in excellent condition, runs great and starts good once you squirt a little gas into the carb. This thing was "the bomb" in it's day.

Luckily, I just happen to have one for sale. Do you have a good chiropractor?

Good Luck

[Paul Rohweller]

I gotta squeeze my two cents in here. It's not a new machine but is has been just the ticket for ice fisherfolk for years. When I gotta get with the program and haul people and equipment I like the old skidoo alpine. 640 cc fan, dual 16 inch tracks run on bogeys, no need for fluffy snow to lube things. It also has an awesome high windsheild that actually protects you from the wind and other elements. It is more than capable of going thru or around anything you will need it to. forward, reverse and electric start. I'm really suprised I dont see more of these things out and about.. Paul

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Paul Rohweller
Pine to Prairie Guide Service
218-962-3387
http://fishingminnesota.com/pinetoprairie

[muskybuck]

Thanks guys. That is some real good info. I do not know much about snowmobiles and those are some pointers I need to know. Most of the time when I get on the ice the snow isn't exactly fluffy. I do have a old Cat in the garage. Around a 73 or 74 that I would use running out the on early ice a few years ago, then I pulled my elbow out on it trying to start it one afternoon and have not had the urge to use it since then. I appreciate the offer though. It is for sale also. Put a new piston in it and my son says it runs good now but I want a newer one. I think I'm leaning towards Ski Doo right now. I appreciate your help.

[muskybuck]

Thanks guys. That is some real good info. I do not know much about snowmobiles and those are some pointers I need to know. Most of the time when I get on the ice the snow isn't exactly fluffy. I do have a old Cat in the garage. Around a 73 or 74 that I would use running out the on early ice a few years ago, then I pulled my elbow out on it trying to start it one afternoon and have not had the urge to use it since then. I appreciate the offer though. It is for sale also. Put a new piston in it and my son says it runs good now but I want a newer one. I think I'm leaning towards Ski Doo right now. I appreciate your help.

[kb1965]

Better yet if you buy a 4 wheeler and us that for ice fishing you don't have to worry about the slides heating up. They are roomy enough for 2 people and with a front and storage racks you can hual a lot of stuff. Just my 2 cents worth. Had the sleds and the wheeler works better until the snow is to deep, but by that time you could probably drive your car or truck out on the lake.

[Guest]

I'm confused on what you guys think is a good machine for ice fishing. What do you want it to do? Basically all it needs to do is go through snow. hence "the snomobile", The only other things that could affect your decision is if you need a two up, or a machine for pulling an excessive amount of weight. Any snowmobile on the market today is capable of pulling a foldup style fish house or small sled of some kind. So my question is, What do you want it to do?

[muskybuck]

Yep, I just need one for getting out on the ice when its early ice and late ice or maybe way out on a lake with a fish trap on back sometime. My days of pulling 4X8 plywood fish houses around are past. The thing I was looking to find out is if one brand is little bit better than the other. Ski Doo is looking pretty good. I have thought about an ATV but I think I would use a sled more. If I owned some acres it would be different. Thanks again.

[Guest]

If you're looking your quality, Ski doo is an excellent choice. That is well known. But you will pay a little more for any sled in the ski doo line up. Some things to stay away from when looking for a sled for ice fishing: Extra travel in the suspension is unnecessary. EFI is also something you may not want to pay extra for. I find electric start to be added weight and more hassle. Starters are known go when you need it the most. Liquid cooled engines are impractical for the ice fisherman. The perfect ice sled consists of a 440 to 550 cc engine, two up, hand warmers, big windshield, luggage rack, deep lug track. There are many models that fit this description in all the lineups. I haved owned arctic cats all my life, but I'm quick to recommend ski doo also.

[Paul Rohweller]

I looked at the ski doo scandics last season until i stumbled onto my indy lite. If I had to go buy new sled for fishin it would be a scandic. Paul

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Paul Rohweller
Pine to Prairie Guide Service
218-962-3387
http://fishingminnesota.com/pinetoprairie

[Raven]

I have a 73 Panther that I tore my shoulder trying to start. So bought a Arctic Cat Bearcat 440. Had a electric start put on. This thing is great. It will pull anything. I am really pleased with it. Has a rack in the back that is handy too. Last season when we didn't have much snow had to buy a Honda Foreman, but prefer the snowmobile. Each has its own plus points

[muskybuck]

Thanks again. Boy it sure pays to ask a question. I suppose the thing to do would be to buy a sled to get by with for a couple years and then invest in a new one when the four strokes get the bugs worked out. Right?

[Thumper]

I just called to place and ad in the Mpls paper to sell my 96 Ski Doo 500 Touring SLE and 96 Ski Doo 380 Touring E, they both are low milage, have electric start, reverse, warmers, mirrors. Plus trailer. Have always been stored indoors. Age is telling me to start acting it. Want to sell as package. Ad should start Tuesday for a week. E-mail me if you would like details. [email protected]

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Thumper

[This message has been edited by Thumper (edited 12-02-2002).]

[minneman]

sorry mines sold.

[legendelite]

minneman and walleye soldier,

Do either of you still have those sleds for sale?

Post here or e-mail at [email protected]

Thanks!

[Thumper]

My e-mail has been locked this a.m., Too many pictures of new grandson being sent. Server is trying to untangle me. Any how if trying to contact me on Ski Doo's that's why no reply.

[This message has been edited by Thumper (edited 12-03-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Thumper (edited 12-03-2002).]

[elusivecrappiecatcher]

I have a 1994 Ski-doo MACH Z 780 with 10" carbide and 194 Woody's carbide studs. It is perfect. It has power to pull and the handleing from the studs and carbides.