Snowmobile for Ice Fishing

[MikeG3Boat]

I am wondering what should a guy be looking for if wants to buy a sled for ice fishing. I am just starting to think about it, maybe pick one up at end of season to save some money.

How old could you go? Obviously want one that is not going to be a mechanical headache

How Big of engine?

Fan Cooled/Liquid Cooled?

What other things am I missing?

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions.

[Hookmaster]

3 years ago I bought a 1999 Polaris Indy Touring 2-up. It had relatively low miles for its age and the track is in good shape. I have replaced the volatage regulator and a few headlights, otherwise it's been trouble free. It's a 440 sled, fan cooled, a little lighter than liquid cooled. 2-up in case someone wants to go with me. Reverse for tight spots. My next one will definitely have electric start. There are a lot of nice sleds out there but you have to take the time to look and not be in a hurry to buy. I don't put on many miles a year so it will last me a long time. When you take a look at a few you will realize which sleds are the better deals.

[JosMN]

Yes, an Indy Trail would work fine for an ice fishing machine. Those are bulletproof. I'm pretty sure they went to a 488 fan cooled Fuji motor in the Trails back in 86, all the way to 99. The 93 Trail "deluxe" I believe did have a 440 to try an improve gas mileage. Wasn't any different. An older Indy sport would be even worth a look. That did have the 432 (440) fan cooled motor post 1990 I believe, also bulletproof. The 89 sports and below were 340s. I had a sport 440 all the way through the 90's and that thing was reliable. I think we sold it with 9000 miles on it and didn't have an ounce of trouble with it, and I wasn't exactly nice to it. Gas, oil, and go.

[walleye 4 me]

I have a 97 indy trail touring. longtrack, 2-up, e-start. reverse. its a 488cc fan cooled, plenty off power for ice fishing and pulling the kids around the yard. mounted a digger auger carrier on the back and put a hitch on it. Replaced the rear spring with a heavier one so when I have one of my fat buddies on the back we dont bottom out. ram mount on the dash for the gps. work well for not having a bunch of money into it. can find them for 1500 or less with under 3000 miles usually. when it gets above freezing you notice the fan cooled machines loose some power but they can run in low snow/hard pack conditions (as long as you keep the hyfax lubed) unlike the liquid cooled. would like to stud the track next. If I had 15k+ burning a hole in my pocket I would go with a tracked ranger.

[walleye 4 me]

You're correct on the 93 deluxe being a 440. My brother has one. his kids beat that thing like a rented mule and it still keeps going.

Yes, an Indy Trail would work fine for an ice fishing machine. Those are bulletproof. I'm pretty sure they went to a 488 fan cooled Fuji motor in the Trails back in 86, all the way to 99. The 93 Trail "deluxe" I believe did have a 440 to try an improve gas mileage. Wasn't any different. An older Indy sport would be even worth a look. That did have the 432 (440) fan cooled motor post 1990 I believe, also bulletproof. The 89 sports and below were 340s. I had a sport 440 all the way through the 90's and that thing was reliable. I think we sold it with 9000 miles on it and didn't have an ounce of trouble with it, and I wasn't exactly nice to it. Gas, oil, and go.

[20lbSloughShark]

Air vs liquid cooled is almost a non issue for what you want to do. For engine size, it really matters how it is geared. I've ridden 340's that pulled wheelies, but top out at like 30, and I've been on 500's that struggle to go slow. As far as age, hours are more important. Its easy to see. If the seat is torn up, engine a black mess, hood cracked, it has probably been beaten its whole life. If it looks nice, a 2 stroke will not give you many problems. With older sleds you mostly get storing issues like mice chewing things, bad gas lines, etc. Newer ones might seem better, but can be a mechanical nightmare. Open the hood and you will know. If I could have any snowmobile for fishing, it would be an arctic cat bearcat.

[perchking]

I have a 98 BearCat WT 550. It is a nice sled, it has reverse and a backrack for items like flasher, minnows and a place for 5 gallon bucket. It also has a factory pintle hitch which is nice for my portable. I wish it has electric start, but it always starts 2nd pull no matter what the temp. It is heavy but I would recommend it. The image is not mine but identical right down to the skins on the skis.

[Down2Earth]

Efi would be a must have for me.

[BoxMN]

Lots of threads with this type info, do a search here and in the sled forum and you will find many thoughts on it. Good luck!

[magicstix]

My 2 cents. Several years ago we had snow similar. The I lesson learned is you need a long track sled in your arsenal no matter what. I got a older liquid 500 indy long track 136", cheap. Best thing for the buck that I spent in awhile, dependable. You still need to do maintence on them.

If I get another or I replace it, I'd try to get a Bearcat but the are harder to find and not confident on reliability.

So I'd probably get a Polaris 2 up, 144" or more long track, 1 1/4th" track, reverse, elec. start optional, 5000 miles or less[depending on actual condition, may go more], liquid or fan[both have pros and cons], $2000-3000 or less?.

Electric start? It'd be okay. I feel any sled should start 2-4 pulls hot or cold, if not back to the shop it goes.

While your at it might just as well get a trailer right now too and be done. You need one of those too.

Good luck in your search.

[holmsvc]

If I get another or I replace it, I'd try to get a Bearcat but the are harder to find and not confident on reliability.

Why?

[CaptainMusky]

Bearcats are about the toughest machines out there and very reliable. There were some troubles with 4 strokes in the early years they were available but since then no issues.

IMO relying on an electric start is asking for trouble. Any machine I would get should have a pull start or at the very least a jumper pack in the event you have issues with the battery on the lake.

You definitely want a long track machine especially in winters like this one.

I will be driving a Bearcat next year and I dont care how hard it is to find one, I will have one. There are usually new ones on hsolist, but VERY few used ones, especially lower dollar used ones.

The guys that have them NEVER get rid of them.

A fan cooled machine is more than adequate unless you are on VERY warm days then you could have some issues. Otherwise they are a benefit because they are simpler plus if your hands get cold hold them in front of the "blower" and they are toasty in no time.

[holmsvc]

I completely agree with having a jumper pack with on the lake. My buddy has a new wheeler with tracks and we have had to use the jumper pack a couple times. I couldn't believe how small the batteries were in wheelers and how big of a pain they are to get to on a Polaris.

I have been going back and forth the past couple years between a getting a ranger or a sled. I am pretty sure I want to get a sled. I just can't justify a ranger with a cab and tracks even with the amount I ice fish.

[Walleyehooker]

Depending on what you want to spend at least look for a late 90s and up machine. They got a lot more dependable around that time and the big thing is a much better and higher suspension. My next machine will be a 2 up 4 stroke. The older Cats 4 stroke 660s lack on HP but if your not looking for a rocket are very dependable , quiet , good on fuel and can be found at a reasonable price. I have thought about buying one myself but I like having extra HP and leaning more towards a Ski Doo 1200 touring. My next machine will also have reverse.

[NoWiser]

The people I know who have owned the older Bearcat 4 strokes have all sold them due to reliability issues.

If you don't want to worry about slush, worry about power. Horsepower will get you through slush as good as anything. I'm not talking a 50 yard stretch of 6" deep slush, I'm talking about 1/4 mile of slush with no bottom. The key is keeping that track spinning fast. I've been in some really, really bad slush with my short track MXZ 600 and have never gotten it stuck a single time. On the same trips the long track Polaris Trail 440s were constantly getting buried. It was miserable.

If money was not a worry, I'd be looking at one of the new Ski-Doo 4 strokes. Otherwise, I'd be looking for a touring sled that is at least 600cc liquid cooled with reverse and electric start.

Of course if you stick to southern MN where slush isn't an issue, a fan cooled Polaris 440 would be a great sled. Cheap, easy to work on, reliable, and parts for them everywhere.

[perchking]

I have had my 98 bearcat WT 550 for 10 years the only thing I replaced was the clutch 4-5 years ago and I think that ran me about 400ish with the springs and weights. Other than that I have been very happy.

[leech~~]

I would have loved to get a Bearcat but could not find a good used one or afford a new one. So, I got the next best thing. A Panther. It has the same 570 fan cooled motor and not as long of a track, but still a 136" long track. And they can be found in good condtion used. I use it ice fishing or on the trails.

[perchking]

Nice leech, my bearcat is not built for trail riding it is much more of a work sled but you can put a family of 5 on that sucker

[CaptainMusky]

I have had my 98 bearcat WT 550 for 10 years the only thing I replaced was the clutch 4-5 years ago and I think that ran me about 400ish with the springs and weights. Other than that I have been very happy.

That 550 is one of AC's best motors of all time. YOu really cannot kill them. They are way overbuilt and tough as nails.

It was the 660 4 strokes that I was referring to that had problems. It was mainly 1 year though. It was an electrical issue that would basically not allow the machine to start. Major PITA and dangerous situation. If the person had the bulletins done I wouldnt be afraid to buy one or make sure I got those changes done free of charge, but that is a thing to look out for.

The 2strokes have been bullet proof and the machine is built like a tank especially if you get the widetrack.

[Wanderer]

On the same trips the long track Polaris Trail 440s were constantly getting buried. It was miserable.

That was my first sled purchase for ice fishing and I was quite happy with it for that application until I hit a huge slush field that took a half day to ge out of. Now I was breaking trail with a passenger and towing two flip overs so I kinda feel like I was asking for it but it didn't change the fact I never wanted it to happen again.

Knowing HOW to ride through slush has a lot to do with making it or not but I changed to a sled with a 1 3/8 lugged track and deeper suspension. HP didn't change much. The lugs matter a lot and the length helps. The Bearcats have wide tracks too. It's physics - the bigger the foot print and more grip the track has, the better off you are. You just have to match your sled purchase to the worst conditions you expect to be out in.

[holmsvc]

I would have loved to get a Bearcat but could not find a good used one or afford a new one. So, I got the next best thing. A Panther. It has the same 570 fan cooled motor and not as long of a track, but still a 136" long track. And they can be found in good condtion used. I use it ice fishing or on the trails.

What's the major difference between the panther and the bearcat?

[leech~~]

What's the major difference between the panther and the bearcat?

Longer, wider track and some gearing. Oh and about $4,000 diff when new!

[leech~~]

Knowing HOW to ride through slush has a lot to do with making it or not but I changed to a sled with a 1 3/8 lugged track and deeper suspension.

I was wondering why that time I went with you guys all I seen were tail lights as soon as you left the landing!

[walleye 4 me]

so what is the trick to getting through slush and NOT getting stuck. Heading up to lake winnipeg in a couple days and am hearing there is slush starting to show up but you dont know it till you drop. I have gone through a couple small slush holes but didnt get stuck. Just gave er the onions and didnt let off till I was out. sure made a mess of the sled i was pulling though. 97 trail, 136"

[storm_rider_1]

Do yourself a favor and buy something with reverse.