Smitty Sled guidance

[markum]

I've got a question regarding Smitty Sleds. I actually got out this past weekend in Wisconsin to a small 250 acre lake . Mind you it has been about 3 years since I have been out. The last time I was out it was just ice so pulling my Otter cottage with gear was a breeze.
But this past weekend was a challenge there was about 3 to 3 1/2".of wet snow on the ice. Needless to say I thought I was going to have a heart attack  10 times over pulling that @#+$ing around.
I've done some research  but I figured I'd reach out to members with suggestions ideas like best skis to use , design, height ECT
Thanks
Mark

[ActiveTrapChecker]

Best skis, would be the cheapest you kind find in my opinion.

I used 2x8’s for the risers on my first smitty, and I think that was overkill.

When you decide in the cross pieces, measure what you are going to put on top of it. For instances, I made sure my jet sled and my hub fir side by side. But also left enough room so a buddy’s jet sled could also fit side by side next to my sled.

Good luck!

[hardwater diehard]

Downhill/wider skis ..14-16 foot rope . Conditions are the greatest barrier to a smooth drag ..they can include..temperature.. and what type of ice ..hard/black ice EZPZ ..wet/soft ice not so much. 

[hoppy63]

Google it and you will get some good info, utube videos, pictures, etc.....I want to throw a couple together myself but not just for the ease of walking but also saving the bottom of my tub when pulling behind a 4-wheeler or sled..... not sure how that will work though.....should be ok with rigid tow bar??

[Unclegillhunter]

Markum, go to the equipment forum. First child board had 65 pages all about Smitty sleds.
Keep it safe! JDL

[river_scum]

I used 2x8 also.  thinking of snow depth.  I think its fine that way myself.  if its not to your liking, after made, just rip some off bottom and reattach.  I don't think ski type would be discernable in pulling.  pulls easy enough it will run you down. lol 

[markum]

Unclegillgetter
I couldn't find what you were talking about on this platform. Can you possibly send me a screenshot?
Thanks
Mark

[dukhnter8]

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=103927.0
If that doesn't work it's in the equipment page, sticky on the top of fish page, something like my homemade sled, aka smitty sled.
Also make sure the risers are not too fast forward, they need to be more to the back of the ski.

[Scheu]

I bought the plans to make the Original Smitty Sled online. I figured that set up would work out the best, since you can disassemble them for easier stowing. Pretty simple to make. I made mine taller than the plans said to. All that being said, I have never used it. There hasn't been any snow in NE Indiana this winter or last. So I cannot tell if I like using it or not.

[tater140]

They are nice when pulling a large load on snow... and like riverscum said on glare ice or hills they will run you down.

[Iceassin]

They are nice when pulling a large load on snow... and like riverscum said on glare ice or hills they will run you down.

For the downhill situations, I drilled holes in the back of my sled, slipped the ends of a rope through each and tied a knot. Now I walk behind it steering with the rope. Works great.

[Unclegillhunter]

I bought the plans to make the Original Smitty Sled online. I figured that set up would work out the best, since you can disassemble them for easier stowing. Pretty simple to make. I made mine taller than the plans said to. All that being said, I have never used it. There hasn't been any snow in NE Indiana this winter or last. So I cannot tell if I like using it or not.

I built mine because last season the snow almost killed me! So of course now that I have one we never got enough snow this season to use it! Figures!
Keep it safe! JDL

[bearnoob]

I made one of wood but found it was heavy. My current build is made of PVC which works well, but on those really cold days you have to baby it a bit when disassembling. When it gets to 15 or more below the PVC gets brittle and I've cracked and replaced portions over the last couple years. Luckily, it is all cheap and easy to replace.

[river_scum]

ah come on iceassin.  just jump on top a yell YYYEEEEEHHHAAAAWW lol  my rope is long enough to put under and out the back to go down hills.   

smitty sled so fast they are be dangerous!
can you envision this?  your smitty gets away from you on a 40* incline that's 50yrd long.  there is a guy at bottom rt in line.  too bad he has those ear bud things in(listening talk radio no doubt) and cant hear you yelling.  150# of gear blind sides him.  he was just there to pre-fish for a big birthday party on the ice the next day.  he would have been 82.   

[Iceassin]

ah come on iceassin.  just jump on top a yell YYYEEEEEHHHAAAAWW lol  my rope is long enough to put under and out the back to go down hills.   

smitty sled so fast they are be dangerous!
can you envision this?  your smitty gets away from you on a 40* incline that's 50yrd long.  there is a guy at bottom rt in line.  too bad he has those ear bud things in(listening talk radio no doubt) and cant hear you yelling.  150# of gear blind sides him.  he was just there to pre-fish for a big birthday party on the ice the next day.  he would have been 82.   

At my age, the Yeehaws have turned into Ohno's!!!

[snow snake]

hello
there are a lot of plans that are on internet by typing in smitty sleds
i use this idea post from you tube How To Build A "Smitty" Type Ice Fishing Sled. Easy DIY ...
or just type in smitty sled  there many pictures and plans that are free

[fishinator]

ah come on iceassin.  just jump on top a yell YYYEEEEEHHHAAAAWW lol  my rope is long enough to put under and out the back to go down hills.   

smitty sled so fast they are be dangerous!
can you envision this?  your smitty gets away from you on a 40* incline that's 50yrd long.  there is a guy at bottom rt in line.  too bad he has those ear bud things in(listening talk radio no doubt) and cant hear you yelling.  150# of gear blind sides him.  he was just there to pre-fish for a big birthday party on the ice the next day.  he would have been 82.   

I want to see someone ride one down mississinewa ramp!

[river_scum]

there ya go fishinator!  lets take up a donation for him too!!!!!!!!  lol  I bet you would break 50mph!