What kind of budget you looking at?

Skandic is the best overall utility sled.

 

Have you considered an expedition sport? I am very happy with mine, there are some good reviews in the expy sport section.

 

What kind of budget you looking at?

Skandic is the best overall utility sled.

X2 skandic long track... :wink_old:

 

My budget is as little money as I have to spend to get me from point A to point B in some challenging conditions. These would be Off trail breaking trail, deep snow,lake slush, hard pack, some pavement, hard frozen lake ice and doing it alone and with friends. I'm not a trail rider, I don't have a ton of experience but can throw some body English on a sled and can pull moderate sleds around.
My current list is
98 Tundra 2 with RER
05 Skandic 550 SWT
00 Skandic 500 WT
I would be able to afford a new Tundra LT 550F if it answered all my wishes and the others wouldn't .

A new Skandic is probably outside my budget.

Thanks.

 

My vote would be the for the 05 Skandic 550 SWT out of those choices.

Next choice would be the 500 WT.

Although, I will add this. If you can spend a few more bucks and get a 600 or 900 ACE or a 600 Etec, you'll be much happier with your choice.

 

Might make sense to get an ex rental 600ace gt, slap on some wide skis, deep lug track and lower gearing.

Probably add about 1000usd for the mods, but the starting point should be real low.

 

Thanks for the replies.
My biggest concern is the dreaded slush/overflow on lakes.
Some people tell me a mountain sled is the way to go with its HP and light weight. Others say go Skandic or Tundra as the frames Can bend 2 up riding/ heavy pulling, they overheat on bare ice and you'll rip the paddles on 1/4 mile sections of pavement/ hard pack.
Others say a Skandic can get through moderate overflow but not a mile of tough stuff.
My problem is the Jan 1 st opener can have a lot of overflow as I've had to walk it in hip boots.

 

 

Thanks.Looks like a video is worth ten thousand words. Does a 600 ace have enough hp to get a Skandic through a long run of slush? I just see so many sleds stuck (some for days) in large slush/overflow fields. I always snowshoe out (those days are ending)and my buddies won't even go on slush prone lakes. I just want to get to my favorite point to fish on opener but don't want to stick and freeze in a new sled. Thanks.

 

I think the first video is a 550 fan, but I may be mistaken. I think the 2nd video is a 600 etec.

 

Based on the title, I'm guessing the 2nd one is an 800 v twin 4 stroke, 65hp. so only marginally stronger than a 600ace.
Its not all about hp though. From what I've read, that chassis is much better in the water than the current options.

 

I'm on my second Tundra. 2011 550 F LT. I also have 10" skins on the skis. Seems to go anywhere I want and not gotten stuck. Only problem could be the gas range. I carry 2 1 Gal RotoPax and they pretty much do me. I have to add my auger rack to this sled.

RR

 

Ravinerat - Would a Tundra LT 550f get through the situations I described? My concerns are slush and some of the deep snow twisty long portage trails I take into lakes.
I have heard the xu chasis is prone to throw water on the belt, a 20-24 inch track is needed for flotation in deep snow and that the Tundra is tippy and a real bear to ride.
I have ridden Tundra 300s, VK professionals, and Bravos but always in easy conditions as I have snowshoed in to fish the bush lakes in the past. I don't know what any of these machines or others are capable of in the real deal Ontario Bush and overflow lakes.
I have seen you have been around here for a long time and was wondering if I'm splitting hairs and having newbie analysis paralysis? Would a Tundra LT cover my needs as well as anything? What do you think?
Thanks

 

I think the first video is a 550 fan, but I may be mistaken. I think the 2nd video is a 600 etec.

Video #1 = 600SDI 2 stroke, 120hp (Etec never offered in Yeti II chassis)

Video #2 = V800 4 stroke, 65hp V-twin. Mine was great on water too, but as you can see in the vid, another 50-60ft and he would have had wet feet.

 

Ravinerat -
I have ridden Tundra 300s, VK professionals, and Bravos but always in easy conditions as I have snowshoed in to fish the bush lakes in the past. I don't know what any of these machines or others are capable of in the real deal Ontario Bush and overflow lakes.

All of the Ski-doo sleds you have mentioned run a lot tougher conditions in Labrador, AK and Northern Quebec.

I do believe you are indeed suffering a little bit of analysis paralysis... you have not mentioned any price range, but it seems that you're willing to spend up to $7500, but you like to see if you can get away with $4000. I can relate to that.

The 05 Skandic WT 550F would be a great sled. You don't travel far so fuel mileage and less than ideal ride quality doesn't matter to you. I think you'd have a challenge to find one for a good price.

The Tundra LT 550F is an excellent sled as well, but it's going to run you considerably more than a used Skandic and it can't carry as much cargo as the WT. It's a bit tippy yes, but again, what's your rush and where's the big miles to cover?

Either can work.

 

Thanks LB.
I think any of the Tundra, Expy or Skandics will work.
Just having some newbie purchase angst.
I just have stuck in my mind the winter of 2013-14. I saw snowmobiles abandoned, trucks buried until spring to the top in snow drifts, guys pulling sleds on snowshoes leaving a trail of stuff behind as they parsed a too heavy load and even the dogsled guy had to wait until he could snowshoe a path. That said it was one of my favorite winters being out there. I just want to make sure I get the right sled to enjoy it in the future.

 

Thanks LB.
I think any of the Tundra, Expy or Skandics will work.
Just having some newbie purchase angst.
I just have stuck in my mind the winter of 2013-14. I saw snowmobiles abandoned, trucks buried until spring to the top in snow drifts, guys pulling sleds on snowshoes leaving a trail of stuff behind as they parsed a too heavy load and even the dogsled guy had to wait until he could snowshoe a path. That said it was one of my favorite winters being out there. I just want to make sure I get the right sled to enjoy it in the future.

Start looking for good used Skandics and Tundras, post up here with what you find, we'll give you our 2 cents worth and help you along with the decision making process.

 

2008 550F LT ?

 

2008 550F LT ?

RF chassis. Ok, but fragile front end and less than stellar deep snow performance. A lot less tippy than the 2010 and newer XU based Tundras, but the pros of the XU chassis still outweigh the cons of the RF IMO.

 

Thanks.
Here are some more
2008 Skandic 600WT
2015 Tundra LT 600 Ace
2017 Tundra550 f LT new
1998 Tundra With RER

1997 340 Bearcat

 

Thanks.
Here are some more
2008 Skandic 600WT
2015 Tundra LT 600 Ace
2017 Tundra550 f LT new
1998 Tundra With RER

1997 340 Bearcat

The 2015 Tundra LT 600ACE is a nice sled for your purposes. Can you afford it?

The 2008 Skandic WT 600LC is also a great sled. I figured that would be out of your price range.

What are they coming in at, roughly?

 

The 2015 Tundra LT 600ACE is a nice sled for your purposes. Can you afford it?

The 2008 Skandic WT 600LC is also a great sled. I figured that would be out of your price range.

What are they coming in at, roughly?

2008 Skandic 600WT $6000.00 American$
2015 Tundra LT 600 Ace$8000.00 Am$
2017 Tundra550 f LT new$7500.00 Am$
1998 Tundra With RER $3000.00 Am$ Amazing but true
1997 340 Bearcat --More of a joke but? $1000.00

All are well over kelly blue book retail except the new one.

Money wise-

Id like to pay cash ($2-3000) because I hate banks but if someone said sled X will do it all I will get a loan but I kind of really don't want to pay $10-15,000.

An example is my boat a Lund 18 ft alaskan. It and the motor and trailer cost about $3,000. I fish everywhere the big $50,000 boats go like Nipigon and Lake of the Woods. I don't cut across the 4 ft waves with any speed like they do but I can handle 4 ft waves and 6ft waves dryer than they can and besides who wants to be out fishing in 6 footers.

Im just looking for a sled that goes anywhere, doesn't need a gob of TLC but maybe isn't high performance.

Is the 600 LC ok for bare ice and 1/2 mile hardpack and pavement? Ok with weight if stuck and in the twisty tight climbs some portage trails can be?

I know I've got lots of dumb ? but Im coming at it with very little practical knowledge.

I have to buy a sled before this winter or my buddies will leave me at camp. I just don't want one that gets stuck while I'm alone or breaks down.

Thanks Again.

 

2008 Skandic 600WT $6000.00 American$
2015 Tundra LT 600 Ace$8000.00 Am$
2017 Tundra550 f LT new$7500.00 Am$
1998 Tundra With RER $3000.00 Am$ Amazing but true
1997 340 Bearcat --More of a joke but? $1000.00

All are well over kelly blue book retail except the new one.

Money wise-
Id like to pay cash ($2-3000) because I hate banks but if someone said sled X will do it all I will get a loan but I kind of really don't want to pay $10-15,000.
An example is my boat a Lund 18 ft alaskan. It and the motor and trailer cost about $3,000. I fish everywhere the big $50,000 boats go like Nipigon and Lake of the Woods. I don't cut across the 4 ft waves with any speed like they do but I can handle 4 ft waves and 6ft waves dryer than they can and besides who wants to be out fishing in 6 footers.

Im just looking for a sled that goes anywhere, doesn't need a gob of TLC but maybe isn't high performance.
Is the 600 LC ok for bare ice and 1/2 mile hardpack and pavement? Ok with weight if stuck and in the twisty tight climbs some portage trails can be?
I know I've got lots of dumb ? but Im coming at it with very little practical knowledge.
I have to buy a sled before this winter or my buddies will leave me at camp. I just don't want one that gets stuck while I'm alone or breaks down.
Thanks Again.

What are your buddies riding?

 

VK Proffesional
Tundra 300F or Bravo Long Track(mostly the tundra)

One guy says power and track width win, particularly in slush
The other guy says lightweight with some track length is the way to go as you will get stuck and Unsticking and moving a small sled is way easier.

 

VK Proffesional
Tundra 300F or Bravo Long Track(mostly the tundra)

One guy says power and track width win, particularly in slush
The other guy says lightweight with some track length is the way to go as you will get stuck and Unsticking and moving a small sled is way easier.

Good info. The VK Pro is quite good in slush, but not as good as the 2008 Skandic WT 600LC, not as good as the Tundra LT either, but those are a little underpowered (550F/600ACE) to tackle really long stretches. The Tundra 300F isn't really good in slush, certainly not close to as good as it's predecessor, the Tundra II with struts. The Bravo is a legend, it will handle some slush, but again when the slush gets deep, it will lose momentum.

For fishing and utility activities the WT's are hard to beat for their practicality, however they will not touch a mountain sled in slush... but those are difficult to cool on hardpack (scratchers will help). With this said, your buddies' sleds are not really that capable, so I kinda think that the tasks required aren't that nuts. However, the prices you have listed for these sleds are amazingly high. No chance to pick up a good used 2010+ Tundra LT 550F for $5k or so? You aren't covering a big distance, so the fuel economy and longevity should not be an issue, i.e. it should take you a long time to burn a tank of gas even if the range is 140km's and it should also take you a long time to get north of 10000km's on the engine based on your description of your activity.

Just watch the tippyness.