I am in the market for a snowmobile, what is a good utillity snowmobile?
Ice Fishing
Snowmobile recommendations
Polaris Voyageur 155 is what I use it has room for 2, 5 gallon buckets behind the seat and can tow your ice shanty and I put some utv tool grippers on the front bumper to hold my electric ice auger.
It has very wide skis and a long track with deep lugs so it handles deep snow and slush. And is air cooled,bought new for about 7K. 3 years ago.
I agree with the Polaris if you're looking on a budget. Regardless of what you get I'd suggest it is air cooled. If you're running on bare ice, liquid doesn't have enough snow or ice being thrown in to cool it. If I'm going ice fishing I don't want to be stopping to cool down my sled.
If you’re on a budget and want to stay under $1k, a Polaris Indy 500. from the mid-late 90’s is a bullet-proof machine. I’ve had one for 15 years and have put very little into it outside of the basic maintenance parts (hifax, belts, carbides, crank oil, etc.). I actually still use it as a spare trail sled when guests need a ride.
Good luck on your search.