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Well I am one of those who has the need to bring everything I own out on the ice yet I have no machine to pull my sled. I have had some long hard treks pulling my gear on he ice and thought I was going to have a coronary on a couple of occasions. I got a new hut for Xmas a Clam XL 2000, lots of room and a big step up from he Eskimo Quik fish that was tight with just me inside. The downside is the Clam is more than double the weight of the Quikfish so I knew I needed a better/easier way to pull my gear. Below are a couple pics of the Smitty Sled I just completed, I think it turned out well and hope it helps me enjoy my time on the ice more.
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Thats one sweet looking smitty sled nsfisher. It will definetely make your travels better and easier on your heart. If you dont mind me asking? How long did it take to make? Material list? And roughly the cost? Thats a killer set up for the walkers out there. Xbend
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QUOTE (nsfisher @ Dec 30, 2015 - 10:19 pm)
QUOTE (xiaolu @ Dec 30, 2015 - 10:16 pm)
And my Smitty Sled is almost exactly the same as yours (I mean setup wise)
How is it pulling that hut with the Smitty James, did you notice a big difference?
I have the same sled setup as yours. The hut is a little heavier (around 36 lb I think) than the smaller ones. But on the sled there shall not be any problem. (I, for as skinny as I am, can pull it just fine, so I don't think you'd have any issue, either)
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Great sled. Just one small thing, the "eye bolts". I would remove them and just thread the cord through the ski. If the snow's deep enough, and sticky I found that it can build up against the bolts and freeze making an ice wedge.
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I have built a couple of these sleighs the same as your design. I agree with the suggestions of a longer lead rope and attachment to or around the front blocks. After a short time I switched the cross-country skis out for downhill/alpine. Downhill skis ride higher and float along easier than the narrower cross-country. You'll definitely find these sleighs make life easier crossing the ice. Good luck on the ice this season.
Smitty Sled, Hope this makes things easier!
