Thinking about buying a sled, Fan or liquid cooled?

[Duke12]

Hello All,


I’m thinking about buying a sled for next years hardwater season. I’ve read online that the liquid cooled machines can run into over heating problems on the ice or in hard packed snow? Is this the case with all liquid cooled machines ? Should I being looking at fan cooled machines exclusively?


I should also add that I’am looking for a 2up machine for around $2500 that will most likely only be used for fishing. Any recommendations on machines I should considered or avoid would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Disco]

For ice fishing go fan cooled.

[FisHunt]

If you get a liquid cooled you have to get ice scrapers to keep it cool when there is no snow on the ice

[Andrewj]

Fan .

[Whynot]

You'll generally get feedback to get a fan, and if you do overheating will definitely not be an issue.

That said, I run a liquid 4 stroke with scratchers and a studded track and used it right up to the end of season without issue. I was hesitant, first year running a sled instead of ATV, but had no issues at all.

If you're set up to run bare ice you'll want studs, which themselves make a bit of fine snow spray even on bare or hard pack. The scratchers just add to cooling and slider lubrication, and are luckily relatively cheap and easy to install.

Happy shopping!

[Sinker75]

Yep, Fan for sure.

The older yamaha venture 500 fans are great machines, as are the tundra/skandics.

Some of the newer 4 stroke sleds have fan cooled rads now, on liquid cooled engines. Best of both worlds.

S.

[Fishing Rod]

With your budget you might not get a choice. Find one that has been taken care of. You could end up with one that you spend time fixing instead of fishing. Be careful and find a friend that knows what they are looking at.

[Grumpyman]

You should be looking for a Ski doo GTX 550 fan they are a two up, 137” long 16” ( slightly wider track ) not very heavy lots of low end torque so handle slush and towing very well. They only do about 90km top end but are exactly what an ice fisherman needs to reliably get out and home fishing.

Ps get studs on it, they make al the difference when dealing with bare ice, slush steep hills etc and towing an ice hut or other machine if need be. You might need to up your budget to 3 to 4K but if you look after the sled you will
Have it for a long time, the 550 rotax fan motor is as durable as they come.
I’ve had liquids other motors, other long tracks for ice fishing for 30 years, but the one I have now is perfect for ice fishing.

[moose1948]

I have a 2003 mxz 550 fan cool whit stud work great pick it up 3 years ago for 2 thousand ladie drive sled never have problem

[Jstubbs]

The 377 Fan cooled 2Up safaris are beauty for ice sleds!!

I have a 440 fan cooled safari 2up long track - hauls my big butt around and the wife AND the ice sled no problem.