stoney

Then buy a CAT - engine problems are the least of your worries

Yep, 100% accurate. Which leads to next possible scenario, trail #2 that intersect with trail #1 has a stretch that has signatures but 50 miles down that trail there is another property owner with no signatures - does club A continue to maintain the first 50 miles of trail but put a trail closed sign up, because they are expecting the signature any week or day and they want to get a head start on what they can when help is available, plus we all know packing the snow that is possibly there just helps that trails last longer as the season goes on, trim fallen trees, etc.....

And generally gets blown out of proportion......great place to collect info and dissect it as you see fit to make an "informed" decision on your own!

That is correct, based on leaving the entire trail off the ITG as suggested that may have a section not yet "approved".....reduces the potential problems surrounding showing a partial trail. Kind of sucks, but understand the rational of it should this situation occur. As for not using the intended apps to check the status, that is another discussion that causes another situation....lol, but that is also a reality.

That makes sense - what is a rider to do when they hit the end of the trail so to speak, turn around and go back, you know that will not happen and people will just carry on creating an issue.

Always had Cat 800 sleds and I think they have the most reliable 800 then the other two manufactures when it comes to more miles. They always tended to burn more oil as well, which in a 2-stroke, not sure that is a bad thing......but for saddle bag trips, it was not ideal. Always had over 5,000 miles on them as well when I sold them and no issues.

Not really worried, more concerning what you see of course, but I agree, the job will get done, just not 100% done IMO, and that will just be a reality of life. I do not think I rode in ON at all last year, this year will be very hard to ride with the kiddo sports based on the schedule we already have and its only Sept, so I might only get a trip or two and that will be QC for sure.....but we will see what happens, still feel good about supporting Ontario snowmobiling, even if I do not get a chance to experience it. Personally feel with a horrible year last year, add this to the load on the clubs, this is a set up to in fact lose trails, either on purpose perhaps just a coincidence - been talks for a while about reducing the footprint, but for many that is a hard pill to swallow, and people know, once they are gone, rarely come back as Spidy stated.

I’ve been on the fence this year about buying an ON permit, never have in the past. Instead just buy a QC pass. This is not helping that feeling of being on the fence, I know I can’t be the only one.

The new Cat in the 600 last year sounded like a huge success, there are a bunch of folks that have posted videos of them and their opinions. Big point that all have noted is the extreme lower center of gravity and how the affects how great it handles! Only two issues I recall were paint finish where the pull cord is gets a bit scratched up and the rear portion of the running board has broke, but they are intended to be replaceable based on the design of the chassis. I think this year is the new gauge that should be a smash hit, plus of course the 800 class engine now available, other then the fact that there seems to be conflict now with having the OFSC trail map on the new gauge, unless that was overcome.

Sounds like someone is not doing their due diligence.....all people you hire are expected to have it, but not all will ask about it. Typically in order to get paid, you need to show proof, if it was not asked as part of the start up process. You used to be able to wrap your WSIB coverage around subs, but that changed and became a liability. Honestly, I am not sure I would hire anyone to work for me without it or COI.....in case something happens to avoid coming back after me/the client.

That is based on having all the money you need to buy that toy and deciding where to best "invest" that money. My scenario was a person that has partial of the money but wants to enjoy a certain activity, toy, etc......sooner vs later.....usually a person that is younger. Either wait to have all you need or consider the borrowing approach that will cost you more with interest, but can get out of that bad debt if you needed too, or pay it off of course too in short order depending on life situations. You could also get a special rate on interest for the first 12 months in past if I recall, not sure if that still exists or not, so take that, leave your money in other locations making more interest, than pay off 100% after 12 months. I am a supporter of not financing toys, but I also understand that life is short and sometimes waiting is not what a person wants to do, just comes a cost - that cost of having fun as it was mentioned earlier.....lol

Yep, not expected quite yet. Perhaps spinning track on a stand, came off stand and took off.....I am always very cautions when I do that in the garage for the fear of it taking off either into the garage door or my vehicles parked in the driveway! Hopefully no one was hurt.

I have a Mueller belt, had it for a while. Use it aways for sledding & used it sometimes when I rode my dirt bike, will use it for lifting heavier stuff or doing work that puts added strain on my back around the house......even used it last year when ice skating for a period since I did something to tweak by back for a bit but did not want that stop me from keep on doing it, so it added extra support in order to be able to keep do it.

Sounds like you are leaning towards a 4-stroke then....so km is not so much a factor and freshening up all the bearing/skid, and maybe the shocks, on a good deal will not be a hard pill to swallow afterwards.

Horrible timing on Cats part no doubt with new engine and chassis coming onto the scene....they missed the magic window that could have been great for them by 2 years.

Life is short and if you always wait to have cash for everything, you will miss things.....just be sensible. I have always told anyone that asks me about this, if you need to borrow money for a toy, ensure the money owing on that toy is less than what you can dump that toy for in a pinch and remove that debt......but the market as of late has been a had one to gauge for that.....

At 10 feet trailer and a 144”, I do t think the over hang will be much at all. My 141” fit in my enclosed that I believe is around 11 to 11.5 feet, but windshield hit the front roof first before skis were hitting front of trailer and there was still some room at the rear. Delta from 144 to 141 is what, extra 1.5” longer on the ground. But each sled manufacture is a bit different.

You hear that from the folks that have plenty of disposal income when you start to see that sort of "price on fun".....lol

Yep, that is a huge hit.....but I think most saw the writing on the wall when they ordered the 24's, just not sure if they knew how bad it might have been. Smart to get rid of your sled at the end of the season vs. waiting for a silver lining come fall.

Utility trailer is likely an open trailer vs. enclosed, so you can have the sled further up on the trailer with no obstructions stopping you from placing it as far forward as possible. Will some of the track stick out the back, sure, but so does a sled in the 6-foot bed of a truck and there are no issues with that...for most. Good luck and enjoy sledding!

Agreed - but I am sure there will be lots of great prices by all given the atmosphere......I do not think waiting to buy or pull the trigger will bite you the butt.

Weight lifting belt is too rigid, you need a kidney or back support belt, they are more pliable with plastic inserts in them to give support and velcro straps to apply pressure to your mid section. Lots on the market to pick from. And come on, that is a new CAT - do not you worry, it will need plenty of wrenching, even a new one......

I am firm believer in wearing a belt as well when riding and thinks it helps a lot for those unsuspecting hits.

Always seem to hear of some who have had delaminating issues with theirs. Knock on wood, my track is still in great shape and with extended high speed runs.

From all that I have read, the longevity of them is not all that great - no personal experience myself. LOL, so how many "older" sleds ran studs in those 1/2" (or less) tracks back in the day..... Power has come a long way, as have sleds......but it is all about a choice and personal preference.....that I know you are big supporter of, freedom to have choices in life! I started with studs on my sleds because that is just what I thought was the norm, expected, etc.....was not seeing any unicorns in my travels, but was not really looking for them either, until one year on a new sled I was forced not too run studs, and I liked it so much more with no studs, so that is what I did moving forward until now, and I have the IR track, which I think is a great compromise between the two.