Visit the Team Iceshanty Proshop
Well I'll be Damned!!! A propane propulsion system on a smitty sled! Must be a first!
Ok, I built my sled a couple weeks ago. Used 2x6s, 3/8x4" carriage bolts (just fit snuggly into the wood no washers/nuts securing them), downhill skis acquired from Craigslist, 16' rope, bungie cords, eye bolts and PVC to make a rack. Got the idea for the rack from page 4 of this thread where a user with the same shanty as me, Clam 5600. Fits snuggly over the shanty and is secured with bungie cords. Used it last week in Northern Illinois on the Chain O Lakes. There was 4" of snow on the ground when we got there and mother nature added 4" more and the sled road on top the whole way, pulled like a dream. Now if it can only help me catch fish!(Image removed from quote.)Sled broke down into parts for transport(Image removed from quote.)Sled put together(Image removed from quote.)Shanty (Clam 5600) on top(Image removed from quote.)PVC pipe storage added(Image removed from quote.)All loaded up and a friend to pull it!
I would agree. Narrower skis = less resistance which makes easier pulling
The wider the surface, the harder the pull. Years a go I used water skis, pulled much harder than downhill or cross country skis.
Anyone mount skis directly to their sled?
I am sure you could. I would consider using something on the inside of the sled to screw to. Like either fabricate a plywood bottom in the bottom of your sled or just some 2-3" strips. That way you will have some added support so that the skis won't rip off the bottom. Maybe also adding some water proof construction adhesive between the skis and tub as well. Just my thoughts...
Yeah I was thinking about putting a couple of 3/4 by 2 inch pieces of wood along the inside and screw that to the skis. Or maybe a piece of ply on the bottom of the sled. I'm just looking to protect the bottom of my sled, and those hyfax kits are too expensive and I have some skis I could use.
Anyone mount skis directly to their sled? I just realized I wore a hole through the bottom of my jet sled after running it on some pavement after a hike to a lake. I like the idea of the smitty sled, but dont like the idea of the extra bulk of risers/cross members
Just built my "Smitty" tonight after purchasing some new gear. Pulled it around out in the snow for a bit and it worked like a dream.Thanks for all of your post and inspiration!Few pictures of the project.(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)
http://www.geteskimo.com/Foundations/Store/shopdetail.asp?params=15575Eskimo now has a Smitty Sled!
Found the Eskimo "smitty sled" - $700!!! Yeah just a tad over $15. I only have $4.22 invested in mine so far and it hauls over 300 lbs of stuff. Of course it doesn't have a lowering feature, but i dont want to fish off it so its all good.