12-06-2012, 11:42 AM
[cool][#0000ff]An inflatable "ice sled" is not a bad idea. Especially on thinner ice...or when there is likely to be super slush.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In days of old I rigged one of my "donut" float tubes as an ice sled. That was before the acquisition of power auger and a lot of the other "refinements" I have accumulated for ice fishing. Just put a bucket in the middle, tackle in the pockets and drag it across the snow...and ice. The downside is that even seemingly smooth ice can take a toll on the underfabric of the craft. And if you have to drag it across parking lots or dry ground the cover will wear out quickly.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There was another thread recently about using skis as a bottom on an ice sled. Like all such ideas and modifications, there will be conditions in which that will work very well...and other conditions in which the ski runners will be more of a liability than an asset. It has a lot to do with total size and weight of the sled, depth and condition of the snow or slush, etc. Ain't no universal solution.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Under most conditions, the standard ice sled design gets the job done for most ice tanglers. If you wax the bottom for better sliding over the snow you can pull heavier loads with less effort. And unless your sled is seriously overloaded you can pull it across slush and even standing water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]So, if you encounter a hefty ice fisher lady who begs a ride in your sled, think twice about doing the gentlemanly thing. The downside risk may not be "outweighed" by the upside potential.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In days of old I rigged one of my "donut" float tubes as an ice sled. That was before the acquisition of power auger and a lot of the other "refinements" I have accumulated for ice fishing. Just put a bucket in the middle, tackle in the pockets and drag it across the snow...and ice. The downside is that even seemingly smooth ice can take a toll on the underfabric of the craft. And if you have to drag it across parking lots or dry ground the cover will wear out quickly.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There was another thread recently about using skis as a bottom on an ice sled. Like all such ideas and modifications, there will be conditions in which that will work very well...and other conditions in which the ski runners will be more of a liability than an asset. It has a lot to do with total size and weight of the sled, depth and condition of the snow or slush, etc. Ain't no universal solution.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Under most conditions, the standard ice sled design gets the job done for most ice tanglers. If you wax the bottom for better sliding over the snow you can pull heavier loads with less effort. And unless your sled is seriously overloaded you can pull it across slush and even standing water.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]So, if you encounter a hefty ice fisher lady who begs a ride in your sled, think twice about doing the gentlemanly thing. The downside risk may not be "outweighed" by the upside potential.[/#0000ff]
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