Choosing a snowmobile

[banjeau]

I live in northern Wisconsin and am shopping for an ice fishing/trail riding snowmobile. Needs to be long track, 2-up, not sure if liquid or fan. Plan to use on trips to Minnesota & Ontario breaking trails, towing 1-3 sleds, etc. Anybody have any opinions or suggestions as to what machine might work out best? What about Ski-Doo Skandic or Polaris Wide Track? Anyone have experience with these types of machines? Concerned about trail riding capabilities. Rode a 2000 Polaris(model?) fan, long track, 2-up last year...very nice, but not sure of off-trail, etc. Thank you for any responses!

[1775prov]

Bought my Polaris IndY Trail Touring in 99 (new) so I could drag my ice fishing crap around. 440, 2 up, reverse, electric start, hand and thumb warmers, adjustable back rest (important if you ride solo). I found out after I bought it that I also enjoy trail riding. I am not a speed guy, but it's got a great suspension, which is what I considered to be important. I took it off the trail once, never again, thought I was going to have a heart attack trying to pull it out of a snow drift. At that time it had the most features for the least amount of money. Good luck-EB

[PJM]

banjeau

I run an Indy 500 SKS (long track) liquid cooled with a 2 up seat and a rack on the back. The suspension has been upgraded with a bogie wheel kit for running on low snow conditions. The big problem with a liquid cooled with low or almost no snow is ther is nothing to cool the heat exchangers down for the motor so it tends to run hot. I think a fan cooled would be better for for ice fishing. I have ice scrapers that help for cooling that help but a fan would be better. The big thing is when you ice fish you don't need to go 80mph across the lake pulling your fish house.

[Melville]

Banj, if the sled you rode was blue (es) or cranberry colored it was a Trail Touring (which is a newer 550cc made in Wisc). I have one as a second sled for friends and wife. Ice fished with it several times last year pulling Otter either full of wood or gear linked to Fish Trap. So far it is excellent and doesn't get too hot in April like other fan motors plus great on gas for long trips in Ontario. Also not too bad when getting stuck considering has long track and reverse plus lighter front end than a liquid cooled.
NOTE: very popular as rental model for resorts out West and Wisconsin. Can pick up low mile year-old lease returns for $3k or so.

Widetrack is a super tough sled for ice duty. Hard to kill.

[Melville]

one more thing:
Friend's high school age son (lives on lake in Ontario) has the same motor in his Polaris "Sport" something and put on 15K miles in two years (riding like a teenager).

Good suggestions from PJM.

[eyewitness]

Two things you must consider. First is engine size. I wouldn't go with any less than a 500CC motor. Especially for breaking trails and turning a long track. Second is track width. There are three types of long tracks. Mountain sleds (wouldn't apply for your needs), touring sleds (they typically have a two up seat and can carry a load as well as trail riding, if you're not a speed demon), and utility. The best sled for ice fishing and trail breaking in deep snow or slush is a utility sled. You're not going to keep up with your buddies on their trail sleds when out for a joy ride, but then you'll be able to go places towing your fishing stuff that they won't. I would personally stick to the Polaris or Yamaha for these types of sleds and the skidoo for the touring sleds. Just my two cents. I've done a lot of the type of stuff you're going to do. Just been fortunate enough to have a friend with a wide tracker to break the trail for me when we go to Canada and such. It just snowed ANOTHER 3" today! Can't wait for freeze up!

[Melville]

Banj, after re-reading your post... please disregard my blessings of the 550 Touring.

Breaking trail while pulling 3 sled requires a WideTrack type; Scandic, etc.

[easymoney]

I'm not to sure about the Yamaha,but the track on the widetrack is 20 inches in width. The Polaris is a 500 Liquid cooled engine and offers low range for heavy loads. Also has underseat storage and a fairly good size rear rack. It has a hitch and all the other goodies,its pretty much ready to go. Hope this helps.

[THUMPER]

The Skandic in the earlier years was a great sled with the super long track. The newer ones are hybrids.I ran a Transport for years (Polaris) 156in track and 1in lugs. A lot of the sleds now are hybrids. They have shortened the tracks and added some horsepower. For breaking trail in the bush off the beaten track nothing beats a Tundra Long track or a sled of this type in an inexpensive utility sled. It is also very light but has limitations in comfort and speed. I run two machines my bush guy and my lake or ice fishing machine. I do not know where you are breaking trail but if you are breaking trail in the bush you are going to get stuck......no question about it. The lighter and longer the track the better. For my needs 1 sled will not do it.

[Melville]

banj, When you refer to "breaking trail" and you fish in Ontario as I do--I'm thinking "bush" like Thumper; leading the pack over skid trails or over and thru clear cut areas.

If referring to "breaking trail" over a frozen lake...any long-track, 2-up sled (500 or bigger) should do fine.

[The Greart Guide]

Artic Cat ---- Bearcat - It's designed to be operated off trail and pull loads. It has an extra wide track to push through just about any snow condition, especially slush. Built like brick ice house, but CAT put the plush suspension in for a nice ride on trails. It has the twin 550 developing 80 HP for the tough stuff, but it is good on gas.

TGG

PS Where are you fishing in Canada?

[River_eye]

First off, you are not going to find a sled that is good for trail breaking as well as trail riding.

Are you planning on breaking trail in deep snow, or while pulling lots of weight or in tight bush?

How long would your average trip be?

How much pleasure riding will you be doing?

I might be able to help you out if you answer these questions.