Choice of these three snowmobiles, which would you choose?

[Otto]

Since I am looking for a sled for ice fishing primarily, I want the opinion of the IS members.  Here are three sleds I am looking at, which would you buy?

1.  Yamaha Bravo, 2011 brand new at a dealer, asking $4100 plus $300 set up fee, willing to take my trade in (1999 Ski Doo Grand Touring SE w 4500 miles).  No reverse, no electric start, no 2 up, no studs.

2.  Ski Doo GTX 2 passenger 2007 with 800 miles, at a dealer with 30 day warranty, asking $4900, does not want my trade.  Quoted another $500 to stud the track.  Otherwise, sled is very clean and in like new condition. Electric start, reverse, heated grips, etc.

3. Polaris Touring Trail Deluxe, 2007 with 2700 miles, private sale.  Very clean, small broken tail light, started right up, ran good, I did not test drive.  He is asking $4000, looking to move it, I am pretty sure he will take 3500. 

I plan to use the sled for ice fishing and getting into my camp in wintertime.  I am almost always with a passenger and towing either a shelter or sled full of supplies.    I am leaning towards either 2 or 3 but really cannot decide. 

ADVICE PLEASE!

Thanks, Otto

[mike1]

Is the Ski Doo a fan or liquid cooled sled? I would rule out a liquid cooled sled if ice fishing is it's main purpose.

[Otto]

I believe the Ski Doo is liquid and the Polaris is fan cooled.  I have not read good reviews on a snowmobile website for the Polaris 550 fan cooled.  Several engines blown with less than 3000 miles.

Why do you say to avoid liquid cooled engines for ice fishing?

[CMMahy]

I'd put my vote for the Ski-doo GTX, but I've always been a Ski-doo guy personally. For strictly icefishing, fans tend to be better choices, as they have less issues with cooling on the bare ice on most lakes. That's not to say a liquid can't be used, with the addition of studs and some ice scratches, they can work just fine.

If the Polaris is known to burn out the motors, you might want to stay away from that, unless you're able to do the repairs yourself. Replacing pistons on a fan cooled motor isn't all that time consuming, it just sucks having to miss out on cottage or fishing time with a dead sled waiting for parts.

For a lot of 2-up riding, definitely go with a touring model sled, trying to ride with a passenger on a small sled like a Bravo get's really cramped.

Why not keep the Grand Touring SE? The weight? Other than that, they were a very nice, comfortable sled! 4500 miles isn't much for that machine, I know several people who ran them for 10,000+ without having to do any major work on them. 

[Reel trouble]

 I would rule out the Yamaha just because its a 250   If the Polaris is an 800 i would probably shy away from that one.  Look around the belt area on the skidoo and look for lots of belt dust could be a sign of there famous clutch problems

[jethro]

Why do you say to avoid liquid cooled engines for ice fishing?

If you are a new sled owner, be aware that the way liquid cooled sleds cool is by snow being sprayed on heat exchangers in the tunnel (under the seat). If there is low snow on the ice you may over heat. Also, you can't leave a liquid cooled sled running and sitting still for any amount of time really. And if you plan to tow with your machine, keep in mind that most liquid cooled sleds not only need snow to cool, but they need speed. You can overheat even with snow on the ice if you are going too slow.

I highly, highly suggest for a utility sled to stick with a fan cooled.

[teambudlite]

what size motors do the ski-doo an the polaris have in them studding a sled ist hard to do if you can drill holes an turn a wrench 

[jethro]

what size motors do the ski-doo an the polaris have in them studding a sled ist hard to do if you can drill holes an turn a wrench 

The motors in all the companies snowmobiles can range from 300-1200 cc's. As for studding machines, I highly suggest you buy a studding bit. A studding bit is a drill bit, but it takes a core out of the track, not just drilling a hole. It might cost you $12 or so, but trust me, if you use a regular drill bit, you will have a nightmare of a time getting the studs through the track and they won't torque correctly. Also, use an air impact wrench set to the right torque as suggested from the std manufacturer or you will be losing studs left and right. Too loose and they will fall off, to tight and they can tear off. In both circumstances a thrown stud can puncture your heat exchangers (if liquid cooled).

[fishfighter]

I would stay away from the Bravo, although lighter, sometimes on the ice you get into that  really heavy wet slushy snow and you need a little more HP to power through it.   

[blackmer826]

Well as a Ski Doo and Polaris guy I would definitely say avoid the Yamaha because of it not being 2-up and the lack of power to tow your equipment. If the GTX has 800 miles that is very low for a sled, especially an 07. On the other note, if the Polaris is a 550 fan, I have driven a 550 Supersport (my mom's sled) which is a fan since 2005 and really pounded on this thing, I mean pounded. Probably has 6,000 miles and never had a single issue, other than this yr changing a drive shaft bearing. I always thought these 550 fan motors were bullet proof from experience and others.

As for studding, I just studded my track the other night. Very easy process. Definitely get the special drill bit, which should come with your stud kit. Drill the hole using a pattern that should be provided also, put stud through, put on stud backer, tighten down nut with impact. That simple.

Good luck!!

[Otto]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I moved too slow I guess.  The ski Doo and the Polaris are sold, and I have ruled out the Yamaha Bravo. 
Still searching, but not worried.  I can always walk if I need to. 

[teambudlite]

if is was me id go with a 440cc or a 550cc machine thats fan cooled with low miles just in general, my father has a polaris supersport an its got plenty of power for most anything (its a 550 fan cooled)