limeyangler

Ok. I think i'm done. After a lots of thought and advice i think i think i have my sled. I thought i was going to get an Skidoo Expedition Sport with a 600ACE engine (4 stroke). However, I noticed while doing some research that the ACE600 might be a bit underpowered at 60hp. This was confirmed to me by a good fishing buddy from Kenora, he has info that the performance of that engine...while outstanding for its class, performed more like a 400. 60hp is not feeble by any means....but i just fear SLUSH! I want to have the power to get through with my hefty Otter 3 man shelter and a passenger. Anyway.....I kinda ended up back looking at the utility sleds.....heavy but powerful with lots of flotation. I'm kinda leaning towards the Expedition LE Rotax 4-Tec 1200 Not much heavier than my old XLT (67lbs heavier to be exact) but it has 130HP (40 hp more than the XLT). Granted it is geared differently and I wont be hitting 90mph......but i'm thinking the xtra HP and the 20" x 154" track and wide skis will deal with heavy slush as good as if not better than my old XLT (15"x133.5"). Advice here would be good....i need edumacating on the horsepower thing....is more HP even with less speed capability going to mean better possibilities of 'POWERING' through slush? What I have realised is that to get my 'perfect' sled that will do everything i want it to i.e.Lightweight, 2-up, on/off trail/breaking trail capable, fuel efficient, good stability and slush friendly, I can Have just about all that except the 'lightweight' aspect. To offset the weight go for power is my train of thought.

Maybe ...maybe not...its fun guessing though....and i cant help my optimism...i live to fish! Either way...its rare not to be on the ice by the end of the first week in December

Bah! Humbug! Cool Jd...looking forward to getting on the ice! Where you at Joey? I,my thinking we will be on the ice by first week in December....secretly holding out for a week earlier than that. Awesome Dana..a convert! Yeah...dumb as hecan be is is a very handsome beast.

Lololol...come and get the dumb mutt...he's all yours! Just kidding (only just)

Believe it or not Gord....I too look at the long range forecast Like I said...wind will get rid of what we have probably....but first cold snap we get now and the lake is done....she,so cold and it won't take much..and the temps in the near future will not be warming the lake.....that's for sure.

Hey...dont hate on me....hate that Dave dude from Yellowknife...he's already fishing on the ice.....gimme a break!

To be honest its not that cold here last niight was the first time its been -10C since last spring. we have had a long autumn this year...turned cold in september and never really recovered so the water has been close to freezing point now for about a month....did not take much to skim the lake.

Hi all, Woke this morning to see the lake froze over coast to coast so to speak. Was a thin crust, but it means the lakes are ready to go as soon as we get a cold snap. Wind forecast for tonite might undo some of this....but hopefully we will have a nice early start to the icefishing season....earliest i have seen since i moved here 6 years ago was November 23rd.....actually on the ice fishing on that day. Jack had a blast throwing rocks and it was good to see our new pup...stoopid as he can sometimes be....was smart enough not to chase rocks and such onto thin ice....and responded to my commands to stay off when he seemed determined to try his luck! Kicked a hole in the ice and a little minnow like fish popped out on the ice...I have included a picture...any thoughts what it is? Anyhoo.....BRING ON THE ICE....cant fricken hardly wait already! <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WzrQ5GkrEAQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Fired the Auger today...fired up good without much effort. Good to go. Here's wishing everyone a successful icefishing season....LET THE GAMES BEGIN (soon)

Way to go Mike....looks like a dream come true! Awesome pics.

Not great news...man that sucks. Sure helps put my 'stresses' in perspective though. best wishes to you all.

Surely something like this to get it to the lake http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/VehicleRacksCarriers/RoofRacks/PRD~0401076P/SportRack+Complete+Roof+Rack+System+1.jsp?locale=en

Thanks lakerguy, I've been glued to dootalk for a good couple of weeks now...lol...even registered.

Ok , I have to admit i have no idea how those numbers translate into stability on the trail/lake etc. What i can say is that the criteria you list are exactly what i have been mulling over since the beginning of the 'sledquest'. I had a touring model before so am familiar with the stability of a wider ski stance machine. I also appreciated the comfort factors. I dont really travel too far but that could change so it has to be reasonably comfortable. I carry passengers regularly so 2 -up is a must. Weight of the sled is definitely a factor...so the lighter the better...i got my old touring model stuck a few times both on my own and with company.....not fun to get unstuck in either situation. As far as breaking trail goes...i dont. But thats only because i never had the sled to attempt that....I would love to have that option with any new sled i got....that is the main reason i am leaning (no pun intended) towards the Tundra LT I love the Yamaha's but dont want to go with the heavier touring models. I have always loved the venture Lite, and always thought that would be my sled if i ever found myself in a position of buying a new or newer sled. However, now i am in that position and i actually started to research whats available.....while i still like those models i am liking the ACE600 more than the 499CC of the yamahas. So.....why oh why cant the Tundra have a slightly wider ski stance!!!!! I am not at all worried about the 'tippy' factor if it was just me riding....i would learn to adapt and no doubt become a better and more confident rider when i mastered the technique. What worries me is having my wife or child riding with me on a tippy machine. So another option is the Expedition Sport...with a ACE600 thrown in, adjustable ski stance of 38.4" or 40.1" with a more conventional suspension and the same 16" x 156" track as the Tundra....its a 2-up touring utility crossover...and still pretty light at 537lbs (Tundra is 505lbs). Only thing is there does not appear to be anything for the passenger to hold onto...and no grips option for that model in accessories!!!! I'll tell you what though....gotta love this forum...so handy to have all this help and advice while trying to decide on my purchase...AWESOME....thanks

Yup its insane.....even a bleeding heart liberal like myself thinks the pendulum has swung too far sometimes. ( and i did not for one second intend to sound like i thought you did not feel for the victims )

I know saltydawg...i laughed a bit too, it would be a joke but cant help thinking of the 77 families that lost their kids and then it aint so funny. But yeah...its laughable for sure!

Nice.....I hate you...my boat had to be retired early this year.

Awwwwww.....poor guy.

Good to know Sinker...i think i'm getting closer to getting one. Its actually 11" skinnier than that ...32" to be precise...do you think that will be a problem? It does not have pull start...any pull starting would be an attempt to get the clutch to spin with a belt or piece of rope.

I give you full permission Bill...right up till the point the piston pops out! Eever since seeing the venture lite a few years back i wanted one....but over the years i have been leaning more towards a utilty type sled. The viking looks good as do many other brands that make utility sleds...i just think the viking/bearcats/IQ600Widetracks/Skandics are overkill for what i want a sled for. If i get it Ben you will for sure see it out on Bull...cant wait to try the GPS out on those depth contours we found. good to hear, gives me a little more confidence to hear other people think this sled is a good choice. Will do! I am hearing some good things about the ACE600 Yeah......i mean its rare i go on long excursions alone....but dropping the sort of cash i will be....i really dont want to have niggling worries about anything! But i am researching the options to lower the risks of being stuck out on the ice unable to start your ride home! LOL.....Thank goodness you were there that day to unstuck the purple beast from el slusheroony....i was soaked....lol...GOOD TIMES! The ski stance on the Tundra is actually 32". Expedition looks nice too. We dont have that much choice up here....you are lucky.

Great shot Dan. Was good to see ya the other day too! LIKED!

I am getting a block heater for it, carrying jumper cables wherever i go( i know no use if i am alone), there is an onboard charger available as well as battery blankets.

I posted this thread on an icefishing forum....had a couple replies saying this machine is very tippy, I can kind of see why this might be with the suspension system and skinny ski stance........... any thought on this folks?

Nice one guys....i had a look on the net and found this <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/plRIpF-sw78" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thanks man. Good to get some feedback. Thanks man, I think the link is broke....It was meant to go to the Tundra LT I chose. Thanks Jacques....now go get a 14 pointer! Thanks Bill, Like I said....the link was meant to go to a Tundra long track I chose....have added the 2 up seat with heated grips for the passenger...should be good for deep stuff and trails. Awesome info BP! I like that it also has a fan radiator as well as extended heat exchangers. The only thing that is worrying me is no pull start...however it is a dry sump which should help. Yup.....snowmachines insurance is not cheap (pro rata )

Thanks Blair.