Best Snowmobile for the Alaskan Bush?

[bigbore442001]

Ok. I have been contemplating getting back into the activity of snowmobiling. I have thought about what would be a good machine and thought that one that would work out well would be a good work/trail machine. It seems that the most popular machines today are what I call speed machines. They are designed to go like a bullet but I really question how well they can break trail of carry cargo or a passenger.

I remember some trapper/guide friends in Maine who had bought Ski-Doo tundras for the purpose of beaver trapping. These machines aren't fast but they said it will haul loads and break trails.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

[Daveinthebush]

Well I just bought a Scandic 440 LT with a 156" track and extra wide skins on the front.  Not enough miles yet to tell how good it will be in the bush so no comments yet.

Good bush machines are getting harder to find.  The Athabaskin Indians elders that I know like Brovo's: light, go anywhere wood hauling machines. The old Enticer was probably better with more power.  But their both gon now.

Tha leaves the Tundra and bigger brother Scandics.  There is a Polaris - Alaskan Trapper model out there but I have never seen one.

[Dand]

I have a Panther Mountain cat but I wish the track was wider and longer ( I think its 15x 136).  Its fine when I'm on the tundra and wind blown snow but it bogs in the deep fluffy snow in the trees.  And wide skis with skins are nice too.  I think my machine is more tippy than the wider stance Polaris and Skidoos most popular around here (Dillingham).   One other thing, if I ever buy another machine it will have reverse.  I'm getting too old to muscle a machine around in loose snow.  I agree with Dave that the true workhorse bush machines are getting harder to come by.  They keep getting heavier and more expensive all the time.

I'm no expert - would be nice for some of the serious back country trappers to chime in on this one.

[Daveinthebush]

Reverse is nice as I have it on mine: "for some applications".  You can certainly get stuck deeper with it as I have found out.  :eek:

Mine is the reverse that changes the engine timing so that the engine runs backwards.  Just as fast in reverse as forward!

[Moose-Hunter]

I play on a 2003 Summit 800 H.O. RER that has a 144" track. I use it mainly for the deep powder and mountains, but I also use that sled to check my trapline. But for what you need, you can't go wrong with a Ski-Doo Tundra or the Skandic models. I've seen many Tundra's up around the Eureka area just mobbing through the deep stuff with everybody else out there. If all I did was trap or have a cabin way out in the bush, I'd have the Tundra. They're light enough that if you get stuck, you can get it out fairly easy by yourself. I'd also check and see what Arctic Cat, Yamaha, and Polaris have to offer. They all offer one type of "workhorse" or utility sled or another that will meet your requirements.

[Stringer]

It really depends on your terrain and conditions in my opinion. If it is fairly flat not a lot of overflow or open water to cross a tundra or bravo is great. If you have some steep ravines to climb in and out of or open water in rivers lakes ect. and overflow you may want to have more power and lug. Also some of the new suspensions are wonderful for your back. I think once the four strokes are perfected they will be the way to go for me.

[bigbore442001]

Thank you gentlemen for your information. I really appreciate the help you have given me in this regard.

[Roggie L Hunter]

I have a Ski-Doo Tundra, you can't stop it, goes anywhere.  Problem is I'm 6'2" and it's a little small for me to be comfortable.  When I sit down my knees are almost into the handlebars.  I also have an Artic Cat Pantera, and several friends have Jags.  I'll never again own an Artic Cat, I don't like them, constant maintenance, they eat spark plugs.  My neighbor has a Polaris wide track, It's vertiably unstopable.  But if he ever gets it stuck we're in trouble.  Personally I'm getting rid of the Cat and getting the Ski-Doo wide track, I think it is the best machine out there.  Ski-Doo really does product testing before they put it on the market, and they have the cold temps we have here in Alaska.