Dan668 Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Looking to purchase a snowmobile. I know nothing about them. What's a reliable sled or a model I should be looking at? Main use will be for ice fishing. May get out once a week to try a trail. Willing to spend up to 4/5 grand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeytier Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Any long track, fan cooled machine in 340 up to 550 cc should do you fine. The indy lite 340 was a good choice, but there are many out there that do the trick. I have a 550 sport touring thats great on the trails and for ice fishing, just doesn't perform too well breaking trail in to the back lakes around here. A bravo or Skandic would be my one and two for back lake fishing but dont offer much for trail riding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 (edited) Make sure you do your research on which fan cooled motor your go with, some are good some aren't so good. Stay away from triples. Definitely a 2up touring sled. All I use ours for is icefishing (Polaris Indy Touring Trail) and it's been fine (sans when I blew it up last year, which was completely my fault lol) Edited January 8, 2014 by BillM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeytier Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-ATVs-snowmobiles-snowmobiles-1996-Arctic-Cat-Panther-Touring-Edition-W0QQAdIdZ557423193 http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-ATVs-snowmobiles-snowmobiles-yamaha-exciter-W0QQAdIdZ557406900 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkpie Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Indy lite 340 fan. An excellent ice fishing machine. Bravos and tundras are good bush buggies and ice fishing specific sleds but just average trail machines. I have owned a couplel yamaha and a skidoo and all have good options available, but if it where my coin I'd go with a Polaris Indy lite. Most guys at my hunt camp use the little polaris. Fan is a must. We use a liquid Polaris 2 up and a newer skidoo 600 2 up at the family cottage, and they are excellent machines but a bugger when they do get bogged down in the slush or deep deep snow. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Why fan. I am told liquid cool motors last twice as long. And can be used in a wider range of temps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Why fan. I am told liquid cool motors last twice as long. And can be used in a wider range of temps Heat exchangers in the liquid cooled models can be picky depending on the surface you're riding on. With a fan motor, it doesn't matter at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Heat exchanges and sliders have the same nerd for snow and scratchers take care of that problem wonderfully as do studs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkpie Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 A fan will go anywhere, no need for scratchers etc. You will get many many miles on a well maintained fan. That's just my opinion on sleds for ice fishing and off trail use, based on my experiences and those that I fish and hunt with. Your mileage may vary, buy what you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Heat exchanges and sliders have the same nerd for snow and scratchers take care of that problem wonderfully as do studs. Still a problem though, which was my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkbait22 Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Take a look at the Ski Doo Tundra LT. It is one of the lightest sleds and has one of the lowest pounds per square inch mass with a 154 x 16" track. Large storage area on back and can be converted to a two up easily. Get fat ski skins, stud the track, and add some scratches for when the snow is gone and ice is all you have. http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-ATVs-snowmobiles-snowmobiles-2010-TUNDRA-55O-LT-W0QQAdIdZ555132840 I have a 2-up Skandic with a small 380 fan so I can't comment much on the liquid vs fan debate. My biggest concern with my fan is over heating on a warm day with tons of slush. Studs are needed period, especially on icy hills and for stopping fast. Fan cooled machines need scratches to lube the sliders and liquids need them to to cool the engine. I here the newer 600 ACE motors are very nice although add a little weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freshtrax Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Fans are simpler lighter machines. I use a 700 polaris liquid for ice fishing it's got a studded track witch helps. But I've never had the temp light come on running on bare I'ce I replace sliders at beginning of every season never worn out completely . . But If I fished 5 days a week I would have a 250 bravo longtrack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Another vote for a bravo or tundra. Simple, reliable machines that will get you anywhere you need to go. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F7Firecat Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 (edited) selection of a machine all depends on what you intend on using it for most sound like you need a utility machine more than a fun machine Edited January 8, 2014 by Smellybox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limeyangler Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Tundras are good. I would have got one but figured i would have passengers on trails lots so went with a utility/trail hybrid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nipfisher Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 The new Tundra II are awesome. Not the most power but maybe the most versatile. They are light and easy to handle. They have reverse and DONT get stuck. I had a Skandic II 503R and I loved it for pulling and working but It was still not the best for venturing into the deep snow breaking trail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myot Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 any long track Polaris 500 are normally pretty good the good old Fuji 500's are pretty solid Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancur373 Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 12 Elan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan668 Posted January 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 Thanks for the responses. Very helpful. Have a lot to look over the next few days. Anxious to pick something up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancur373 Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 12 Elan Yes sir! My old man still uses one to haul wood......he prefers it over his yammy venture any day! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris.brock Posted January 9, 2014 Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 (edited) Elans rock Purenewf!what type of ice fishing Danbob? Lake Simcoe stuff?the Bravo LTs and older Tundras are more for when bushwacking is or maybe required. Easy to pick up when you get stuck too. I have a Bravo LT and 3 cottage friends that have older Tundra LTs, the older Tundras have steel tunnels that add weight and rustboth sleds aren't good for carrying heavy loads and passengers or towing ice huts, I broke the skid frame on an old Bravo short trackfor 4-5 grand there's plenty of options yeah I know I keep posting pics of this thing, and yeah I know it's an old piece of pooh, but I admit I love this sled Edited January 9, 2014 by chris.brock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan668 Posted January 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2014 Lake simcoe, haliburton and muskoka area most of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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