The sled is the Ultra in my avatar. we have a swamp, thats what we call it anyhow. All water only bout 2 feet deep in the deepest spot. I was thinkin bout tryin to ride the sled across it. Is my sled too heavy, or will it make it? Also lookin for anymore info on crossing. If I sink it won't be a huge deal cuase it is shallow, but if it is a lost cuase no point in riskin it. What do you guys think? Its too warm no snow and I miss my sled, this seems like the logical oppertunity, plus my buddy got his video camera back...
Wayne

I see no ultra in your avatar?

WkinneIII.....first off, how far is this place you want to cross. this march i was down crossing some water with a few friends when this guy come along with his rx1. he sucked right acrossed it and thats a pretty heavy sled. My buddies have been crossing with the xc's and my brother crosses with his zr with ease. How ever i did see a guy cross with an ultra and he looked like he was pushing a lot of water, a lot more than what we where. However he did go acrossed with ease. The section of water we were runnign was in the area of 150 feet. I would think that if your sled has at least a 1" track on it, it will be fine and if you do go down. its only a couple feet deep. Go for it let us know how you make out. Good luck.

sorry, i meant signiture not avatar. My track is kinda old and losing its lugs, but they are still there, prolly around 3/4 inch. Also I have studs and Pipes will that make it too heavy or anything. Really I can cross it wherever I want, to make it from 50 ft long to 200 ft long. Thanx for the help.
Wayne

try it short first, than work your way longer. You should be fine. get a good run at it and then see how slow you go after you get used to it. the longer you stay on teh water the better rush you will get.

Any tips, full throttle, half throttle etc. Lean back, lean foreward... Sit Stand, really don't want to have to drag it through the water becuase I sank, but the attempt will be worth it if I stay up for a while, just want to get as much advice as possible right away.
Wayne

I crossed about 20 feet of water on my 650 this spring, its not much but its the first water I have ever crossed, i had no problems, but i have a 141x2" track and a rolled chaincase dont know if that will make a difference. I would go for it. I just pinned it but i only started about 2 feet from the edge, and I leaned back, I had no idea what i was doing so I just guessed.

Most of the time i just go about 1/2 to 3/4 throttle. basically just make sure you keep your momentum up. with the track you have it may be harder to get it back if you loose it. I can let off the throttle and crack it agian and pick my momentum back up, but i do have a deeper track. I found that the hardest part was getting the nerve up to cross the water. after you do it a couple times u realize that its not that big of a deal and then you will be doing it without even thinking about it.
My friends just sit on there sleds when they cross. i stand up most of the time, just because i am more comfortable that way. I have never tried it but some guys go across water with the front end in the air. some guys say that takes away your momemtum because your pushing more water with the rear of your track. So that may not be a good idea. I just ussually put my feet towards the back of the running boards. But like i said, all my other buddies that cross with me, just sit down so its up to you i guess. anything else?

Nope thanx, next check I am gonna gas her up and give it a run!
Thanx a ton
Wayne

Go for it dude worry about the consequences later. :D

oh s#!t no worries, giv'er

My mach Z is a damn heavy sled that makes a great boat.... no problems crossing 300ft of open water

took the xlt across about 180 feet of 12' deep water and she didn't flinch. I just hit is at about 20 mph and it cracked it when i got going on the water.

No Worries


Bauer

Forgot to mention, my sled is completely stock, with 1.25 track, and a 270 lb rider.


Bauer

bust out the duct tape just to be safe. tape up the bellypan so there's no open gaps between it and the bulkhead. really that's the only thing u have to worry about, getting water on the belt. keep your weight centered cuz if you're off balance then the sled will want to go that way. get the feel of it and you'll understand what i mean. :thumbsup: u dont need a huge run but if u feel safer then take as big of a run as u feel necessary!! keep your weight back and put it to the bar. then once u get enough nerve slow it down going across it!! :tongue: since the water isnt deep try to do some donuts and go around in circles!! gets pics too!!

Wayne, I am wanting to do the same thing with the firecat,,, I have never really crossed anything other than big puddles in Michigan,,,, we have a low spot and anytime we get rain, it hold water. We have wheat in there this year, so I am waiting to take the wheat off and then I have a nice little field to run in also.
I came real close to loading up and taking it to moms when we had our flood. The water was knee deep across her front yard and she has a raised patio,,, I could have ran right across her front yard to the patio and it would have been a blast!!!

SaberCat crossing water May 14...

http://polar.polarcomm.com/~rspoonla/sled/skip.jpg

Can you seriosuly do donuts in the water?!?!?! I might wait on that but if it is easier then I think i will try it. Pictures are a definate, along with the video, only problem is my camera takes pictures that the file size is too big to post, and I can't figure out how to post thumbnails, beleive me I have read all the post. Anyhow I'll figure out a way to post them. Gonna wait till I get my check just incase i mess something up i'll have the $$$ to fix it right away rather then let it set after sinkin. Also there is some cattails, not too many but will that affect my chances of crossing. There aren't enough to damage the sled if i run em over but... Another thing what will happen if i hit a shallow part and my track hits bottom will the mud hurt my hifax?
Wayne

P.S. If anyone ever starts a new forum maybe one entitled WaterCrossing would be a good idea.

by saying donuts i mean going in circles. :D i wish u could do donuts on the water!! i guess u could try but you'd go down pretty quick!! :p

WkinneIII.....if you want to send me your pictures through email when you get them. I'll post them for you. I have a great program called infranview that shrinks them.

No problem, just hold the throttle to the bars, you will make it. My 500 goes over water without any problems at all.

I have been skipping on my old 500 and my old 700 and my 800. With the 500 have to get a bit of run at it. With the 800 start with the ski tips in the water. Sit or stand whatever your preference but if you take the seat off you will have to stand and if you sink your seat wont get FUBARED. I have done about 1 km in length multiple times. Dooin donuts in the water takes a bit of skill and the footwork is different then you would do in deep powder say. Hey it isnt cold so why not give er. :D Be careful tho waterskipping is addicting. If you get a vid clip email it to a mod and they can post it for you.

With all this rain, have you done it yet?????

Inquiring minds want to know!!!! :)

WKinnieIII, I have a friend that water crosses all the time. I usually just watch him or take some video of it. He just sits down and gives it all throttle.

I sent a video to LadyK, hopefully she'll add it to this post.

I will stick to the dry pavement

SO have you tried it yet?

This video comes from Woodwurker620 :wink:

The video I asked LadyK to post is a friend of mine on his stock 2004 Polaris Indy 500. He just gets a running start, sits on his sled and enjoys the ride.

He's always bugging me to water-cross but I don't feel comfortable yet. It's the first sled I ever owned, so snowmobiling on a regular basis is new to me. When I feel more comfortable on my new sled, then I'll give it a try.

woodwurker.....i was only dreaming of having that much water to cross this winter. The rock has it all doesn it.

if i can do it, you guys can do it too.... :D

Here is a link to some watercross vidclips and pics from last year. This year was sleeting and raining really cold. :(

waterskipping 101 (http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=21588&st=0)