any water skipping tips? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Racn911 · 02-09-2009, 05:01 PM

Down here in southern Illinois there is this Island that everyone goes to in the summer. A couple of us thought it would be awsome if we could make it out there on a sled. We have no experience water skipping.
What would be the ideal set up for one? Track type,Length, Liquid cooled sled or air cooled,How to set up rear suspension?
We've watched every video on youtube, and still don't know details,just that it can be done.
It's about a mile over water to the island. I know we have a good to excelent chance of sinking, we just want to do a little research. and practice before we ty it.
Has anyone ever sunk a 95 efi cat? will it ruin the fuel system or computer?
Thanks for looking

chilly willy · 02-09-2009, 05:13 PM

Best tip I can think of is don't sink!!! Also I am no mechanic but I know electrical components and water don't go well together. It also may be illegal to cross water on a sled, depending on where you are located. I'll sell you a boat, if you want to get out to the Island LOL!!!

Dennismc · 02-09-2009, 05:26 PM

well the bigger the lugs the better of course.

But nothing less then 1/2 in.

Keep moving, dont let off the gas, depending on the sled, 1/2 to 3/4 throttle.

keep your weight on the back of the sled, in order to keep the skis up a little.

and start with straight runs.

**kccats** · 02-09-2009, 06:04 PM

An 1 1/2 to 2" track is best! 600cc is more than enough! Just keep the gas on! Also tape up the openings into the engine compartment, to keep the belt dry!

chrisfarley · 02-09-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racn911

Down here in southern Illinois there is this Island that everyone goes to in the summer. A couple of us thought it would be awsome if we could make it out there on a sled. We have no experience water skipping.
What would be the ideal set up for one? Track type,Length, Liquid cooled sled or air cooled,How to set up rear suspension?
We've watched every video on youtube, and still don't know details,just that it can be done.
It's about a mile over water to the island. I know we have a good to excelent chance of sinking, we just want to do a little research. and practice before we ty it.
Has anyone ever sunk a 95 efi cat? will it ruin the fuel system or computer?
Thanks for looking

many many many videos on youtube for this one....
the guys above gave ya the tips...
come august we expect a video from you doing it, or failing miserably!!

something i'd never do but hey whatever floats your "boat"!!...

justin M. · 02-09-2009, 06:26 PM

ive actually heard of people putting flotation devices in the front of their sleds
but you deffinitly want to seal all holes

JheLrey · 02-09-2009, 07:03 PM

Don't stop in the middle of the lake for a breather! Haha!

Racn911 · 02-09-2009, 07:25 PM

LOL Video to follow!!!!!!
I've seen all of the water skipping videos on youtube. Snomobile in summer, and snowmobile across the mississippi are the best.
Will it work with a 121" track?
I'm sure I will sink. But If I don't, It'll sure make for a hell of a good story.I can always take my boat to the Island, but who would remember that. LOL
Thanks for the tips

yerfdogg · 02-09-2009, 07:56 PM

the lighter the sled the better and easier to get out of the lake too haha

chrisfarley · 02-09-2009, 08:02 PM

I think you should think out of the box and have some real balllzzz!!!
get a 2-up

and you and your GF go the the island!!

NOW THAT HAS NOT BEEN ON YOUTUBE YET!!

Racn911 · 02-09-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisfarley

I think you should think out of the box and have some real balllzzz!!!
get a 2-up

and you and your GF go the the island!!

NOW THAT HAS NOT BEEN ON YOUTUBE YET!!

I don't think my wife would aprove

RidePOLARIS · 02-09-2009, 09:43 PM

Try to keep the left side of the sled in the air as much as possible to keep the belt dry. If the belt gets wet, it'll start to slip, and you'll sink.

stangcruzin · 02-09-2009, 11:04 PM

before you leave shore.tie a javex(plastic jug)to the bumper with a piece of rope in the trunk so you can pull the sled out when it goes down.remember this is an experiment for you...it WILL go down.but have fun.look forward to your vid on u tube.

backyard mech · 02-10-2009, 07:55 AM

Anybody Know how deep the water is? Make sure the rope you tie to the bumper is long enough. Also keep in mind that if you sink there are environmental issues if someone reports you. The guy at our cottage who dives for sleds is charging $1500.00 flat rate to pull you out.As pointed out above you should be able to do this. Start with a shorter distance to get a feel for how the sled will handle going in straight lines. Once you have that down pat turning is accomplished by leaning not moving your steering column.
Have fun with it and post video

JDS · 02-10-2009, 08:38 AM

Practice in something that's not too deep. I took my old EXT water skipping in a ditch a couple years ago. I made it a good long way, but the exit was too steep and I ended up getting stuck with the back of the sled under water and me soaked past the knees.