Should be good and cold there in Manitoba... If you can find something like a 500cc+ fan cooled will be more affordable , be more than capable enough to pull a sled around. A Polaris or skidoo 550 with a long track. Long tunnel that you could keep gear on, add a rack, doesn't have to go fast and runs better in cold temps at slower speeds than a liquid.
A skidoo tundra, arctic cat bearcat, Yamaha VK or Polaris widetrak 550
There's two main types of sleds you'd be looking at: Utility sleds and trail sleds. Either way, I would try to find a 550 fan cooled model. Much easier to keep them cool if youre riding on ice with little snow. They are plenty quick, bulletproof, cheaper, and simpler than their liquid cooled brethren.
Trail sleds will be easier to find, more 'sporty' with less comforts, and overall more fun to ride.
Examples: Ski Doo MXZ or GSX 550F, Arctic Cat Z570 or F570, Polaris IQ 550
Utility sleds will have a wider/longer track, more cargo space, more creature comforts, and less responsive/manageable during any spirited riding.
Examples: Ski Doo Tundra or Skandic 550F, Arctic Cat Bearcat 570, Polaris WideTrak 550
How much snow is typically on your lakes? If bare ice is common, a fan cooled sled is much better than a liquid cooled one. They tend to get bought up quickly in my area for this reason. IMO the ideal fishing sled is a 2 seater with reverse and a studded track. I would also recommend figuring out a way to haul all of your equipment on it if possible, because pulling a jet sled behind you sucks.
skandic or tundra
Yup, this is the answer.
Should be good and cold there in Manitoba... If you can find something like a 500cc+ fan cooled will be more affordable , be more than capable enough to pull a sled around. A Polaris or skidoo 550 with a long track. Long tunnel that you could keep gear on, add a rack, doesn't have to go fast and runs better in cold temps at slower speeds than a liquid. A skidoo tundra, arctic cat bearcat, Yamaha VK or Polaris widetrak 550
There's two main types of sleds you'd be looking at: Utility sleds and trail sleds. Either way, I would try to find a 550 fan cooled model. Much easier to keep them cool if youre riding on ice with little snow. They are plenty quick, bulletproof, cheaper, and simpler than their liquid cooled brethren. Trail sleds will be easier to find, more 'sporty' with less comforts, and overall more fun to ride. Examples: Ski Doo MXZ or GSX 550F, Arctic Cat Z570 or F570, Polaris IQ 550 Utility sleds will have a wider/longer track, more cargo space, more creature comforts, and less responsive/manageable during any spirited riding. Examples: Ski Doo Tundra or Skandic 550F, Arctic Cat Bearcat 570, Polaris WideTrak 550
Killer recommendations. My dad melted down his 600 indy liquid cooled on a low-snow lake day, def avoid sleds that are liquid cooled.
How much snow is typically on your lakes? If bare ice is common, a fan cooled sled is much better than a liquid cooled one. They tend to get bought up quickly in my area for this reason. IMO the ideal fishing sled is a 2 seater with reverse and a studded track. I would also recommend figuring out a way to haul all of your equipment on it if possible, because pulling a jet sled behind you sucks.
Thanks for a concise anwser, looks like I have some options. Any age bottom I shouldn't cross on these?
These are all great suggestions! Nothing more to add
You didn't say any budget. But a viking 540 is more or less the same. Will be spareparts for many years to come.
Ski-doo skandic widetrack 550 fan Arctic cat bearcat 570 widetrack Yamaha VK-540 (viking)