Author Topic: smitty sled height (Read 5015 times)

heuks · « **on:** Jan 15, 2015, 06:30 PM »

going to make a smitty sled this weekend... wondering how high off the ice to make the platform. my guess is some of you have made a short one and wish it had more snow clearance, others went three feet high and went too far.

just looking for input from guys that fish in various conditions. thanks

Treasure Hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** Jan 15, 2015, 06:44 PM »

Made mine last year w/ about 10" of clearance. That seemed to work well, even with the boatload of snow. Focus on a wider and shorter set of ski's to help distribute the weight. It became quite the set-up with me being able to fit a boatload of stuff including multiple augers, a large pop-up shanty (collapsed) a plastic sled to hold buckets and misc, and a custom lightweight wood box for tackle and rods so they are protected.

I couldn't find the pics I took after completion. Will see if I can set it up and take some pics to post. Need to get a few more items together anyway. Might get out to some lakes tomorrow but definitely on Saturday.

Tree Toad · « **Reply #2 on:** Jan 15, 2015, 06:50 PM »

Quote from: Treasure Hunter on Jan 15, 2015, 06:44 PM

Made mine last year w/ about 10" of clearance. That seemed to work well, even with the boatload of snow. Focus on a wider and shorter set of ski's to help distribute the weight. It became quite the set-up with me being able to fit a boatload of stuff including multiple augers, a large pop-up shanty (collapsed) a plastic sled to hold buckets and misc, and a custom lightweight wood box for tackle and rods so they are protected.

I couldn't find the pics I took after completion. Will see if I can set it up and take some pics to post. Need to get a few more items together anyway. Might get out to some lakes tomorrow but definitely on Saturday.

Just finished making mine this week. I went up 12" I doubt that I would ever need anything taller.

abbatoys · « **Reply #3 on:** Jan 15, 2015, 07:09 PM »

I think I used a 2 x 12 on its side, so mine should be a bit over 11". Never a problem with clearance and I vote for a short set of skiis also. I made mine almost 48 wide to follow in the tracks of my quad.

3300 · « **Reply #4 on:** Jan 15, 2015, 07:49 PM »

mine is also on a 2 x 12 and its too much. going to use a 2 x 6 to lower it.

kstotts · « **Reply #5 on:** Jan 15, 2015, 08:16 PM »

I made mine from a 2x6. It's plenty tall enough for the area's that I fish.

Quack_Attack · « **Reply #6 on:** Jan 15, 2015, 10:15 PM »

2x6 on mine

skulldugary · « **Reply #7 on:** Jan 16, 2015, 05:00 AM »

2x6....

SkiSoloII · « **Reply #8 on:** Jan 16, 2015, 05:13 AM »

I used 2X8" risers. Plenty stable, plenty clearance.

Dave

pzoch · « **Reply #9 on:** Jan 16, 2015, 03:06 PM »

I used 2X 6's and it seems to be able to clear any snow I've come accross.

dgb · « **Reply #10 on:** Jan 16, 2015, 10:16 PM »

Quote from: kstotts on Jan 15, 2015, 08:16 PM

I made mine from a 2x6. It's plenty tall enough for the area's that I fish.

Same for me!

FIP · « **Reply #11 on:** Jan 17, 2015, 04:57 AM »

I'm up 8 inches. Have not pulled through more than 3-4 inches of snow so far but am disappointed in how hard the smitty is to pull, even with a deer drag harness. Is easier to just pull the clam nanook by itself.

dgb · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 17, 2015, 05:11 AM »

Quote from: FIP on Jan 17, 2015, 04:57 AM

I'm up 8 inches. Have not pulled through more than 3-4 inches of snow so far but am disappointed in how hard the smitty is to pull, even with a deer drag harness. Is easier to just pull the clam nanook by itself.

There must be something wrong with your skis or set up then. Mine glides along fine and pulls easier with one of my shanties on it than the do with out it. I even put my jet sled on it when going out with out a shanty

heuks · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 17, 2015, 05:00 PM »

finished it today, 8 inches high, pulls great and plenty of clearance for the bare damp ice today. i used the bottom of my sons crib that we tore apart for the top of the sled. it has wire mesh with a lightweight frame around it. lots of options for bugee cord tie downs. thanks for the suggestions.

youp50 · « **Reply #14 on:** Jan 17, 2015, 05:23 PM »

Made mine knee high. A 28 inch high, 48 inch long, 24 inch wide box fits on the top. Teepee on the top. I only use it when on shank's mare. I like to push it. It offers a great place to lean on when taking 5. Down hill skis with a straight board on the top, the middle of the skis are the high point, it pivots well. I like the way it steers. I only use it on bays of Superior when the ice is too thin for internal combustion propulsion.

darkeyez · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 17, 2015, 06:05 PM »

Quote from: FIP on Jan 17, 2015, 04:57 AM

I'm up 8 inches. Have not pulled through more than 3-4 inches of snow so far but am disappointed in how hard the smitty is to pull, even with a deer drag harness. Is easier to just pull the clam nanook by itself.

Quote from: dgb on Jan 17, 2015, 05:11 AM

There must be something wrong with your skis or set up then. Mine glides along fine and pulls easier with one of my shanties on it than the do with out it. I even put my jet sled on it when going out with out a shanty

Agree that there is something not right. I can load my clam on top of an old sled with skis, or on a smitty sled, and it pulls much easier with either sled than by itself when fully loaded.

Fish Killa · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 17, 2015, 07:31 PM »

I used 2 x 6's and have not had any issues.

Lobes · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 18, 2015, 07:37 AM »

Mine is made with 2 X 6 risers. If snow is too deep for this I won't be fishing. I have yet to find snow too deep for my Smitty fully loaded.

NBG

pzoch · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 18, 2015, 09:22 AM »

If you are having trouble pulling your Smitty sled, check and make sure your skis are flat and smooth if you have holes from drilling or screw heads showing try making them flat or cover them with some epoxy.Also make sure the skis are straight and not toeing in or out causing drag.When your skis are dry or brfore going on the ice or snow,spray them down with some WD-40 or cooking spray.Just one other thing make sure your weight is distributed evenly and centered on the sled and a longer tow rope gives you better leverage.
Good Luck!!!

DANMAN · « **Reply #19 on:** Mar 06, 2015, 06:47 PM »

Quote from: FIP on Jan 17, 2015, 04:57 AM

I'm up 8 inches. Have not pulled through more than 3-4 inches of snow so far but am disappointed in how hard the smitty is to pull, even with a deer drag harness. Is easier to just pull the clam nanook by itself.

Where is your tow rope attached.....and how long is your tow rope

RealityCheck · « **Reply #20 on:** Mar 06, 2015, 09:30 PM »

Make it just higher than a 5 gallon bucket. That way you can pack your gear in under it in the truck.

Jim_MI · « **Reply #21 on:** Mar 07, 2015, 09:48 PM »

I bungee my Clam flip-over to the Smitty and when hole-hopping in good weather, just leave it on the sled. My risers are 6" which is sufficient clearance for 99% of the snow and allows me to sit on the Clam seat at a comfortable height for jigging.

Joe in T.C. · « **Reply #22 on:** Mar 08, 2015, 09:42 AM »

The skis will stop the entire bottom of the shanty from making contact with the snow and turning it into a plow instead of a sled.

Since the skis are are supposed to ride mostly on top of the snow, the height is not nearly as crucial as a good pair of skis aligned straight so the don't fight each other.

I agree that 6" of height off the skis should be plenty.

Lobes · « **Reply #23 on:** Mar 08, 2015, 02:46 PM »

If your sled doesn't pull extremely easy when loaded up the skis are probably not exactly parallel. When mines loaded up with over 100 lbs. I'm still only pulling it easily with one finger. And for the record, I'm an old fat disabled guy so I typically don't need much of a workout to make me exhausted.

NBG

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Author Topic: smitty sled height (Read 5015 times)