98% done

“Yeah! I just need to attach the compression straps and it's done. I'll do that today. I've taken almost an entire roll of film during the construction process, I'll post then as soon as I get them developed (a day or so).

Here are the highlights..

I used the Jet Sled Jr as the base sled, I posted a link to their website in an earlier thread (search for Pack Sled).

A friend of mine fabricated a cordura "tube" to attach to the top of the sled. It measures 18" tall and surrounds the perimiter of the sled. At the bease of the fabric he stitched on a f;ange of 1" flat webbing as an attachment point. On the top he folded it over and stitched in a sleeve to acccept a piece of accesory cord to function as a drawcord. This system will allow me to easily load the sled, then seal it up to keep snow out.

The cover was attached to the sled by way of sandwiching the 1" flat webbing flange and the deck of the sled between two pieces of maple (1/2' x 1" x length) then screwing the pieces of wood together using #8 x 1 1/2" stainless wood screws.

I then put a light coat of polyurethane on the wood to protect it.

I attached two I bolts on the leading edge of the sled to attach my tow straps. The I bolts have 1 1/2" diameter loops on tehm. They weer through bolted through the maple and I epoxied the nuts in place once I had them set.

The tow straps were an engineering challenge. For the attachment points at the sled end I used a pair of stainless snap shackles (sailboat hardware). These are easy to use one handed and have a positive closure. These wre tied into a piece of 3/4" flat webbing.

I then tied a loop in the opposite end of the webbing. I had to be extra careful so that both pieces of webbing were tied at exactly the same length (the first one was esay, the second one I tied at least four times). I threaded the bebbing though a piece of 3/4" schedule 40PVC cut to the same length as the webbing. I ties the webbibg to another piece of cord to pull it through. It is a tight fit, menat to be that way. By putting tension on the webbibg I pulled ti through far enough to slip a standard oval biner through to hold it inplace and act as the attachment point on my end. The biners snap into the gear loops on my ski pack. Works like a charm.

In a shore test run I found that the sled performs better (followes me better) if I cross the tow straps. I don't really notice any difference on my end but the sled seems to turn more easily when I turn.

All that is left to do is attche the compression straps. I will attach three 1" flat webbing strapd across the sled and use cam buckles to hold the load in place. This will also allow me to roll the top of the cover down over the load and cinch it in place to keep snow out (much like a drybag top).

Thankd for you indulgance, hopefull I was able to shed smoe light for some of you.

Photos soon..
Dave.”

“I gotta learn to type... sorry for all the typos..”

“Sounds sweet!

Could you post the sled manufacturer link again, please?”

“The sled mfgr's website...

http://www.fish307.com/fish/shappell.htm


there ya go..”

“I used the Jet Sled Jr. They say it retails for $22.95 on their site. I bought mine for 15.99 at Sportsmans Warehouse.”

“Got done a little while ago doing a sled search and compiling links. I ended up finding the Shappell site, and of all the sleds I looked at, that sled Jr looks the sweetest, and at the price you can't beat it. Cabela's has it for under $20 not including S&H. Got lots of pics and a few "make your own" sites to use as references, and would love to see your pics too.”

“you may experience icing up of the harness connections or icing on the sled bottom. Teflon, silicon spray or even hard ski wax can be used on these areas (especially the runners).


You should check out the TeePee's this Co. makes.”

“wow Dave, sounds like you put a lot of work into this! Can't wait to see it.”

“sounds awesome dave! but wouldn't it be easier to just drag a canoe like stikmon does?”

“Actually I think it may easiest if I just brought Stikmon and had him drag the canoe...”

“heeeey....good point......”

“so the last 2% is posting the photosd?”