What to look for in a snowmobile

[doonan]

Looking at the possibility of getting a used snowmobile before the winter starts. But I'm completely useless when it comes to snowmobiles. Don't have any desire to go fast, but would like it to pull a frabill treker full of gear and auger. Any tips on what I should be looking for? Thank you for the help

[IceNomads]

The only thing i know is if you get a lot of snow and slush, make sure you get something to hold the tail down to keep your skies up out of it

[Skipper]

What to look for, if you were me.

Studs, liquid cooled engine, 2up seat, reverse, and heated grips.

Your average touring sled fits the bill nicely. Stay away from non fan air cooled engines, super race machines that have a high stall clutch, and sleds with short/narrow tracks.

[bart]

I have been researching the same query? What I have read and have spoke with others; Electric start, Reverse and long track designed snowmobile. Expect to spend at least $1500 for a reasonable rig? I'm looking forward for more comments on this topic, thanks for bringing it up.

[doonan]

Any makes and models I should look for or stay away from?

[Skipper]

They have not produced JUNK in the last 15 years. Polaris was the first to produce a good machine in the early 90s. Ski Doo and Arctic Cat came around a few years later. Older V-Max Yamaha weigh a friggin ton and a half, stay away from them.

[Lifeguard]

What to look for really depends on what you want to use it for, and the kind of conditions you will be using it in.  If you aren't looking to go fast, and doing some pulling, I would certainly say look for a long track model.  These can be found in touring, mountain/powder, and utility models, but make sure to watch the weight.   Long track touring models are probably the best fit for what you want, and can be a two up machine, or have a little extra cargo room.  Mountain or powder machines tend to have really long tracks with deep lugs, and are great for pulling but may need the clutches adjusted and the skis will be closer together so it may be less stable.  A big advantage to the mountain/powder machines is they will probably be lighter than the others.  And finally, as long as you don't mind the weight, the utility machines would probably do everything you would want, but they tend to to be large and heavy

Engine size, I would look for something in the 500-600cc range, plenty of power, but not going to rip you off your seat when you hit the gas.  If you are someplace that get's lots of snow, a liquid cooled machine is a good choice, but if there isn't alot of snow, or you go really late in the  season so the snow melts into ice a fan cooled machine will prove to be better.  One trick that can help a liquid cooled on ice is to drill a hole in the back of each ski and put a single carbide stud in the back of each ski.  This will claw up enough ice spray onto the heat exchanger to usually keep the machine cool.

As already said, the performance machine's clutches are set to engage at a high rpm so they have a snappier take off and acceleration, but for what you want, it'll just be loud and burn alot of gas.  One thing to remember is that you can have the clutches rebuilt to engage at whatever you want for a resonable price.

I don't think I have ever heard anyone say that they regret getting reverse, so that would be a must.  I personally don't see the point in electric start, if the machine is running right, it should start within 3 pulls every time, and if it's a 600cc or smaller it should pull over easily, but that's personal preferance.

As for brands, they all make a pretty good machine.  Like already stated, the old Yamaha's were REALLY heavy, so I'd steer a little clear from them, Polaris makes a descent machine, but I've had a few problems with mine that I really shouldn't have.  If I were to be buying a machine, I would look for a batteryless EFI Arctic Cat.  They will start within 2 pulls every time, you don't have to worry about temperature changes or altitude changes like a carb, they always run great.

Can you give us a ballpark price, and maybe that would give us a better idea of year and size of machine you would be looking at.  You might get a little better advice regarding what would be good and what not to get

[doonan]

I'm probably looking at around a grand or two. I'm also looking at getting an older four wheeler at some point down the road so I don't want to spend a whole lot.  The year doesn't bother me at all. There is an Arctic cat dealer and Polaris dealer in town so would like to stay with one of them for the service.

I live in Iowa so we have the chance for any type of weather. Last year we got pounded with snow, but there are years with little snow at all. But it was about impossible to get around last year if you didn't have a snowmobile and I don't want to be stuck in that boat again this season.

[Lifeguard]

Ok, for that price range, and since you are just looking for basic ice fishing transportation, I would look for something like a polaris lite gt with the long track, indy trail touring, ski doo tundra II, arctic cat powder special, or any arctic cat long track.  My cousin had a mid 90's indy trail touring with the 488 fan motor, long track with 2 up seat and reverse and it was a great ice fishing machine.  I've also known several people that have had these, and they were fantastic machines, however not long tracks so not fantastic pulling heavy loads in deep snow:

http://iowacity.craigslist.org/rvs/1875062834.html

[snohiker]

reverse then electric start  long track next  then studs if you watch the adds you can get good deals  i bought a 96 440 bearcat last spring for 200 bucks needs a little work buts its a great fishing sled  no electric start but im looking for the parts now

[yoslick]

If your looking for a lightly used machine you may wanna venture north to central minnesota, we have been out off the snow belt for quite a while (except last year) and theres lottsa machine available in the price range your seeking as most of the owners here are going towards 4 wheelers and selling there hardly used sleds.....

[Tipup Marathon]

An Indy 500 would fit you well.  It can pull a lot, can go fast when needed, and is relatively inexpensive because there's a lot of them out there.  Be sure to add studs to the track and dual carbides.

[boomdoggie]

I myself like the simple vintage sleds , mine has electric start,reverse, wide-track and bogey wheels, good overall condition and  good startability is a must. Been using my trusty Evinrude for years and never had to walk in but i look after the maintenance myself, if it needs something it gets it

[Doubles Shooter]

I got lucky and scored a brand new 2 year old sled. I was looking to buy used when this came along. Ask your dealer. He can search all over the dealer web for left over models. 

 

There are very good deals on used sleds out there. Another plus for touring models if they usually aren't beat to death by some 20year old X-Games Star wannabe.

[sled-in]

IMHO
Studs are great for icy trails, acceleration, and stopping, Not what I wanted to do with my icefishing sled also =weight and case premature track ripping.
Carbides on the skis are great no matter what you do, its sure nice to be able to steer.
Electric start = weight
Liquid cooled = weight
Long track a must if you go through powder.
Deep lugs make my sled pull like a tractor.
10" ski skins with the fronts pulled up give great flotation for powder.
Track angle of attack, I adjusted it so the front of the track was lower (I had to drill a new hole for this (it was in the owners manual)), and brought the back of the track up, this gave my sled wicked traction and made the front lift, but it also made the track hit the tunnel, so I lowered the back to where it had been.
I stay away for arctic cr@p, too many days ruined by having to tow a sled
Love my Polaris
Grew up a Skidoo guy
Trappers like Yamaha Brovo's

I have a '93 Polaris indy trail deluxe, fan cooled 440cc, long track (136") 1 1/4 lugs, 10" ski skins, two up seat.
Goes about 50 mph pulling a loaded toboggan, surprises me often what I can get through

[doonan]

How does this sound?? good sled?? worth the money??

95 limited edition polaris indy
This sled is in excellent shape and would be perfect for any family member. it has a 2up seat, hand and thumb warmers,electric start,reverse,plastic skis with carbides. the track and reverse were new 2yrs ago. a new battery was just installed and the carbs were rebuilt. $1400 obo

[surflizard]

I'd go look at it with 10 c-notes in hand !

[campfindit2]

Image using an 01 polaris 800. Its what I already had. No need to do 120mph anymore. If I was buying again I would look for a 500. A few yrs ago the average sled became the 600. Some still buy them and find they cant keep up with the pack and look to upgrade, this makes for deals. As far as features longtrack mountain sleds show up once in awaile but a two up offers an extra seat. When it comes to reverse get one were the motor runs backwards, skidoo and polaris last I knew. Saves weight and no clunky transmission to work on in the future. As far as fan cooled I still couldnt give up the giddyup you get from a liquid. I'm using my sled this yr for the first time in 3 yrs I plan on picking up the scratchers mentioned on here earlier. Thanks for the tips folks was unaware they existed. These are just my preferences, any or all would sway my final decision but any sled will get you out there. Tighten lines an pray for no snow till the ice sets up.

[kasilofchrisn]

I have a 2008 scandic tundra 550F  2 stroke and I just bought a 2011 expedition sport with the new 600 ACE motor 4 stroker.
These sleds are great for icefishing. Track is 16x154x1.5". Meaning they are long tracks and an inch wider than standard with 1.5" lugs.
They come with a factory tongue style hitch. I just love the 2008 and am still waiting for the 2011 to arrive.Both have reverse one is the RER on the 2 stroke and a Mechanical reverse on the 4 stroke. My 4 stroke is supposed to get 29mpg not towing a load or anything.
Touring sleds do fine for ice fishing for the most part but are really heavy and don't do real well in the deep stuff or overflow/slush. They are the Cadillac of sleds though with all the comforts. Worth a consideration.
Mountain sleds are light but also geared too high for good towing. Also they often lack a cargo rack on the back and you have to add a hitch both necessary for a good icefishing sled.This I would probably avoid.
I personally like the utility line of sleds. They come with 2up seating because we take kids a lot or others who can't afford a sled.
 they have good storage racks and factory hitches. They come geared for towing as well.
They may not handle the extreme powder but anything you are likely to encounter on the ice they will do with ease. They also have taller windshields that help keep you warmer and most sleds nowadays have handwarmers for the driver anyway.
I would not go above a 600 unless you plan to do some serious riding besides fishing and you probably don't even need it then. I won't mention what brand but you can figure it out from what I ride.
For your first icefishing sled though most brands will work good for what you want to do.
I would seriously look for a utility sled in whatever brand you can find. A touring sled second and maybe a trail type sled as a third option.

[newbraintree]

save yourself the headache and get a 4 wheel drive fourwheeler

[esox_magnum]

save yourself the headache and get a 4 wheel drive fourwheeler

 Where Doonans talking about quads were worthless last year, calling for the same this year. Kyle I run a 95 600 IndyXLT works fine and still goes fast when not dragging the shack.  Sadly in our neck of the woods a decent old sled from the mid 90's is $1200-$1500  That Indy 2 up would be a good ride, I may be looking for 1 myself just for fishing and for the wife and keep my XLT for those days I need to feel the speed....

[monsterwalleyefishing]

polaris all the way. get an polaris xc. imho the most reliable sled there is.

[surflizard]

I took the time and shopped around and now I've got both bases covered ! 
Wishing for Snow ! 


Cleaning up after it did snow !