Water sled?? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

ringneckryan · 01-21-2013, 10:01 PM

I just saw a really cool vid on youtube. It was an old 440 sled with an 800 motor in it. Really short, no seat and some handle bar risers. You always stand on it. Then the guy took it out on the lake and went from shore to shore and did some circles in the middle. Long story short - it was really cool!! Where would I find info on building one? There would be a heck of a lot of modifying involved but as a project it would be saWEET to have one. I would just like some info on what exactly would you need to build for safety, pulling out when drowning, weight restrictions and stuff like that. Like when they sink em how do you not get water in the fuel? What kind of track do you need? Big paddles? Heck I dont even know what people call them kind of sled? Mod Sled maybe?

Josh Kidner · 01-21-2013, 10:11 PM

Some people go across the lake on stock sleds! Things you will need- large engine (lots of power!) long track, deep paddle track, risers, and as little weight as possible. On the sinking part, you just dont sink it. If you do, you got a bit of cleaning to do to get all of the water dried out of the engine/exaust/carbs/gas ect.

ringneckryan · 01-21-2013, 10:18 PM

How bout a late 70's ski doo chassis with a bored out XLT engine? I have a spare engine on the bench and that old clunk in the shed. I live beside a wide, shallow river. I suppose current carrying water is quite different than a still lake. Any idea where I can talk to people and maybe read some info from people who have done it?

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**kccats** · 01-22-2013, 06:26 AM

ANY sled will work, No need for Lotsa power! Light wieght is more important! I am makeing a water skipping sled out of an Ovation! They acutally have Oval races in Wi!
About the only Mod is to try to keep the water off the clutches! Tape up the hood openings! As for water in the fuel you simply dump the water out into a glass bottle, then let it set and then pump the pure gas off the top and dump out the remaining water!

Josh Kidner · 01-22-2013, 06:37 AM

You could cross a river as long as current isnt too strong. I was kinda exadurating on the power, but it does help. An xlt engine on a lightweight chasis will take you right across water.

smokingcrater · 01-22-2013, 08:39 AM

Not sure how it is up north of the border, but some states down here are making water skipping illegal, and the game wardens/cops have no problem issuing tickets. Too many idiots did it and didn't recover sunken sleds, which results in a bunch of oil/fuel in the water system.

ringneckryan · 01-22-2013, 08:49 AM

im not sure if its illegal or not actually. i think its ok... I live 50 miles from the closest fish cop/cop and there are many bodies of water to play on. I have thought about the sunk sled thing some. Hook a 2000lb nylon tow rope to he sled, about 100ft, tied to a plastic jug. If ya end up sinking it the plastic jug floats to the top of water so you can at least find it and go from there.

its called water skipping?

anybody have experience of doing this on a current carrying body of water?

ringneckryan · 01-22-2013, 08:51 AM

i am wondering josh if i can steer at all. kinda get boring if all i can do is go back and fourth! i wonder what the top speed for water skipping is...

**RJ Gleason** · 01-22-2013, 08:53 AM

Steer by leaning, just like carving in deep snow.

sae1722 · 01-22-2013, 04:25 PM

get a jet ski. if u sink the sled, you may have DNR issues if someone on the lake calls it in.

Josh Kidner · 01-22-2013, 04:59 PM

Ive always wanted to sled across the lake.

ringneckryan · 01-22-2013, 06:11 PM

sae1722 - dont really want a jet ski. way more cool to have a sled to play around on for and hour with some buddys during the summer. the best part is it could very easilt be a doul purpose unit. PLay on water in summer and sled around on warm days in winter! jet ski's arent really snow friendly or dual purpose. just my opinion...im ure jets skis are fun too! once i get this wreck of a sled of mine running i will look into a 'skipping sled' a bit more serious. just wanna get some feed back from the forum about 'skipping'

ringneckryan · 01-22-2013, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sae1722

get a jet ski. if u sink the sled, you may have DNR issues if someone on the lake calls it in.

what does DNR mean? did not run? what kind of fines do you face in your state? i havent seen a game warden here for two yeras and when i do, they just drive by real fast cause Alberta fish cops get scared out in the country by themselves! haha. no cell service here to call for help if they hear a coyote howl....

JheLrey · 01-22-2013, 07:08 PM

My buddy is an ice diver... Luckily I haven't had to use him to get out

Josh Kidner · 01-22-2013, 09:41 PM

DNR department of natural resources. They regulate trails and lakes owned by state/ federal government. Call then lake and trail police. They can give you hefty fines for not following rules. I wouldnt suggest using a sled as a jetski, but maybe to show off to your friends by crossing the lake. Gotta keep full throttle or you will sink!

**kccats** · 01-23-2013, 07:27 AM

Wisc has oval and drag raceing on open water every sumer! Google it!

smokingcrater · 01-23-2013, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringneckryan

sae1722 - dont really want a jet ski. way more cool to have a sled to play around on for and hour with some buddys during the summer. the best part is it could very easilt be a doul purpose unit. PLay on water in summer and sled around on warm days in winter! jet ski's arent really snow friendly or dual purpose. just my opinion...im ure jets skis are fun too! once i get this wreck of a sled of mine running i will look into a 'skipping sled' a bit more serious. just wanna get some feed back from the forum about 'skipping'

Jet ski's can do one thing a sled can't do on water... STOP! Also, even a relatively tame jetski is going to be faster than a sled on water. A 'muscle' pwc will absolutely destroy one. Not to mention handling. A jet ski will turn on a dime, a snowmobile on water has the same turning radius as the queen mary.

Rczr600rider · 01-23-2013, 07:49 AM

Google zr800 vs seadoo. The zr is faster!

93Wildcat700 · 01-24-2013, 12:41 PM

I found out the answers let me fill you in.

If you live in Illinois, Michigan, Wisc or Minnesota i would not try that in the winter.

I called the DNR and asked so here is the deal.

If you have a private lake you can do whatever you want they can’t do anything about it (summer or winter)

If you sink one in the Winter its considered Endangerment because they have to send out divers in ice cold water to look for you (risking their lives) makes sense. You will get reckless driving and endangerment for sure possible EPA involved.

In the summer it’s a bit different. From what I was told there is no actual law that states you cannot drive over water AS LONG AS YOU MAKE IT (summer only). It’s not endangerment because there is no ice cold water.

As soon as you sink it…. That changes everything (they can get you for polluting)

Also when I sank mine in the summer I had a pontoon boat on standby with a crane. By the time the DNR got there we already had the sled out of the water (very important). Otherwise they will call out a crew and you are paying for it. BE PREPARED with several strong buddies

How do I know this you ask? I got zero tickets

. They were actually pretty impressed by how professional we were getting it out before they got there. (15 min)

I know by me the wait on the river past the bridges and just wait for people to cross open water and ticket them (in the winter) so in the winter not worth it.
Find a private pond. Problems solved!

93Wildcat700 · 01-24-2013, 12:43 PM

Also thought that it was funny that you do not need a life preserver legally. i asked.. but you would on a kayak?? LOL

All they asked for was registration and insurance and that was that.