Hyfax kit worth the money?

[cylegreen]

I know the hyfax kits aren't that expensive, but they seem to be permanent.  I mean, once you drill the holes, whether or not you like the runners, you now have holes in your sled.  Am I wrong?  I just purchased a new Otter flip over with a medium sled.  I dont have an atv or other pulling machine.  I usually either pull the sled out onto the ice by hand, or just drive my vehicle out there and pull the sled out of the back of my vehicle.  Do you think I should put a hyfax kit on?  I've owned an Eskimo flip over with no hyfax and never had a problem.  When I sold the shack, the buyer never even asked about it.  I guess I'm just asking for some opinions from the crew, here.

[3300]

wished i had installed them sooner! makes pulling much easier most of the time and much quieter. if pulling over rough surfaces, it's a must to save the sled.

shappell brand hy-fax are reversible so you get twice the longevity from them and stainless hardware that doesn't protrude up much from the lock nut. i did try frabill kits and they are complete garbage compered to shappell.

[frogmaster]

Give me a pair of used downhill skis from thrift shop or garage sale for $5 anyday.  3 cents

[DR.SPECKLER]

sucks to drill 15 holes to prevent a hole but its worth it.im installing them on my fx 100 today.put them on my frabilll commando when new.my bro in laws eskimo wide 1 has 2 large holes in the back corners of his sled after 1 season of use.when that happens they drag hard and fill with snow which melts and gets your gear all  wet. so  I put runners on all my sleds.

[stinkyfingers]

Another option. Knock together a light weight Smitty with a wide foot print, maybe 40" or so. Bungee your expensive flip to that. Easier to pull and the Smitty takes all the wear and tear.

[Fish Butcher]

Bottom line-yes!

[Spider1]

yep. I wouldn't have a sled without hyfax runners. They slide a bit easier on ice but the important thing is that you don't grind holes in the bottom of your tub when you drag it across a parking lot or through gravel or down a path. To me, that's what the hyfax are for, to protect the bottom of your tub.

[prosty41]

In my opinion the otter hyfax suck. Build a smitty.

[jethro]

I don't know, I load my cheepo Jetsled XL with hundreds of lbs and pull with a machine over parking lots, gravel, trails for miles.. everything. I think I'm on 8 years with only cosmetic scratches. I just don't see how they are worth it but who knows. If I had an expensive Otter sled or a flip over I might think different. If I need a new Jetsled every 10 years I don't think I'd be upset. If I pulled by hand I'd definitely do a Smitty sled.

[majic0135]

Agree with frogmaster,,, Pair of downhill skis,,, countersink three holes in each ski,,, Last longer,,, Pull easier,,, Have on my Shappell,,, year three now,,, works great,,,, Bought pair at goodwill $10,,,

[ICEHOLE]

after about 4 seasons i started to rub holes in my jet sled, put the runner kit on and i think i should be good for next 20 years

[Monovasia]

Totally worth it.....saves wear and tear on the tub

[redneckdan]

They save wear, don't do much to make it pull easier.

[grizzlyhackle]

Totally worth it.....saves wear and tear on the tub

They save wear, don't do much to make it pull easier.

x3 on wear  - not a big difference in pulling

[Unclegillhunter]

You just go ahead and pull the trigger on the runners if you have the cash!
Keep it safe! JDL

[bigfish54]

The runners are definitely worth it for the wear and tear but as guys have said not for pulling. I built a smitty sled this year for easier pulling. I'm pulling a thermal nanook, be safe and tight lines

[Baetis62]

Smitty if you are walking.  It works great.
Maybe add hyfax if you have a 50 lb load or more in a big Otter that's pulled with a quad or sled.  Not much help dragged by hand.

If your dragging a small to medium tub on foot you will much prefer the Smitty but the Smitty/Otter hasn't worked well for me behind the Foreman with the heavy loads I pack in it...kinetic energy and all.  Figured I'd put hyfax under the Otter Magnum for dragging down the road to the boat ramp or hauling ass across Granby and its great for that. Heavy and cumbersome though. 

[Whopper Stopper]

I would have had a hole in my tub long ago without the Hyfax.

A couple of the accesses I use I have to travel a distance on either gravel or bituminous. The Hyfax is near indestructible. It's relatively cheap, easy install, excellent protection.

                   WS

[UFCreel]

Just install them and dont look back.

[NeFiShNeTiMe]

Black 3" pvc pipe cut to match the high spots on the botom of the sled counter sink some 1/4" pan head machine screws with nylok nuts. Works like a charm and costs about 8$ for enough to do 2 sleds

[Drifter_016]

Are they worth it? Yes and no.
If you pull by hand they will do. If you pull by snowmobile or quad they are not so good.
I put the factory kit on my sled and it only lasted a season and a half towing behind my snowmobile.
I went to a plastic supplier and purchased 3/4" UHMW polyethylene and cut strips to replace the factory kit.
They have been on there for 5 or 6 years now with virtually no wear what so ever.

So in my opinion for the same $$$ as a factory kit you can get a product that is 10 times or more better.

I will never purchase those factory kits now.

[filetandrelease]

Drifter I did the same and I made a pair of skis for my smitty from the same material ,

[trout hounder]

where can i buy a shapell hyfax kit

[filetandrelease]

http://www.shappell.com/partsaccessories.html

[mbart]

where can i buy a shapell hyfax kit

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/productlist/fishing/ice-fishing/ice-fishing-shelters-sleds?d=173&c=93&s=2939

[3300]

where can i buy a shapell hyfax kit

if it's not for a shappell shanty, use the info from their line up of shanties and kits to find one that works best for yours.
they are very nice kits.
www.shappell.com
the idea is being reversible, so you don't want to have to cut any thing off, but also want it long enough. if it is a little short make sure the back is covered more than the front. you can grind the leading edge down some so it's not plowing as much snow, but keep in mind you'll want to reverse it some day.

any one who sells shappell brand shanties sells the kits. i bought mine from knutsons in person.
they are a sponsor here and all of their winter proceeds go to the biggest tournament around here in michigan.
great people and nice to talk with.
http://www.knutsonlivebait.com/

http://www.midwestopentournament.com/

[Alex Delarge]

Don't do it IMHO. Those of us with hyfax are usually pulling with quad or snosled across lots or roads etc. You could pull that otter (by hand) on ice and snow for several hundred miles before even noticing any wear.

[3300]

i pull by hand always. i have deep gouges under my newest fx100 and my extra large cabelas sled and some worry me that they could have went all of the way thru the tub. i try to take the best care of all of my things always. one lake i do have to drag it, if alone, over a cement seawall with several hundred pounds of gear. this is why i bought the kits.

there are added benefits. after adding shappell kits to mine, i noticed how much quieter it became and easier to pull by far! if only for one of those added benefits, i would have done it.

the pulling it much easier part, i noticed while pulling on top of ice that was slushy from the heat of the sun. many days are like that here where i fish. the noise was much much less too. my buddy has my one year old fx100 and it was loud and we carry about the same gear. then i noticed i could pull with one finger while he was leaning into his rope some to pull. i did a quick test and took a few steps and swung my sled via the rope as hard as i could and it went about 70 feet or more. i did the same with his and it went about 20 feet. i did this several times and so did he. guess who has hy-fax kits under all of his sleds now lol.

i add them to all of my sleds also.

i do not pull mine across parking lots or bare stones or pavement. i pull as close to the lake as i can to load/unload.

just stay away from frabill hy-fax kits!

[trout hounder]

do these raise up your sled much

[3300]

shappell kits go on the runners that touch the surface and they about an inch. so about an inch is how far they are raised. best to add them before assembling a new one so the tent isn't too high or too taught. if you built yours so it had slack in it, it should be fine to add them now. if you take your tent off for the off season, then it won't be any trouble to add them.
my tent material under the rubber/metal keeper strip just touches the tub from under the tubs lip with the kit in place.

frabill kits go into a groove made for them so it isn't as tall after installing them.