A new drag sled question

[str8jct]

If you have a molded plastic drag sled this question is for you.  Do you think you could float across flat water without getting wet?  I have a spot that requires 3/4 mile walk in and then a ditch about 40-60ft across that is deeper than chest waders.  I have a small canoe but a sled seems easier to get to the water but its not worth fliping and getting wet...or worse.  What do you think? Anybody tried it.  Something similar to this is what I had in mind.
 

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

Methinks you need to test it during the summer...
this could be a sweet idea.

[str8jct]

Trump I really want someone to test it now...with pics and video!  The problem is going to be it will float me across, how do I get back across with a deer?

[Hawkeye]

Methinks you need to have someone with a video camera there when you fill it with your $800 bow, $300 tree stand, and step into the sled in 38 degree water for the maiden voyage.

You'd shoo-in for the $10,000 prize on America's Funniest Home Videos, and a real contender for the $100,000 finale!

I have screwed up balance from medical problems so my perspective my be biased, but this looks like an unlikely solution to me...

I love a guy who thinks "outside the box," but suspect this idea would end up with you "in the drink"!    

[23feetupandhappy]

It would do better then you think but I dont have any experiance to back it up.

[Orion]

Hmmmmm.  Me thinks trying it would make you a candidate for the Darwin awards. A large enough sled would probably handle the weight, but they are very unstable.

[jcar315]

The one I've used looks just like this (can't guarantee it's the exact same model) and there is no way IMO that it would support a person & gear.

I'd be shocked if it would support much gear and still float.

Great piece to drag stuff around with an ATV though.

[Bladepeek]

I've seen some pretty small paddle boats. Displacing that much water would support quite a bit of weight. My reservation would be stability. Lean just a tad toward a corner and it would become a submarine pretty quick.

Of course with my sense of balance, I couldn't walk across a downed tree that far either, so call me a card carrying coward.

[str8jct]

I just had a stroke of genius.  I gave my neighbor a belly boat I no longer used last year. Haul the boat, bow, and waldrop seat in the sled to the water.  Use the belly boat and chest waders to cross the water dragging the sled with the gear. Wham bam thank you mam.  Sure does sound like a lot of work though.  

[ChuckC]

The deer will float, at least for a while, if you don't gut it till you get across the water.

Bring a life jacket for the deer too. . .

That belly boat idea can work too.  I have done that myself.  If you practice, you can also shoot from one so you can cover a trail on the shore line.
ChuckC

[wixwood]

It is very unstable. Trying to keep you and your load centered in such a small craft can be done but it will take a year or two off of your life if you make it (duck hunting story), and I'm sure more years if you don't.  Your float tube and tow idea sounds much better/ safer.

[str8jct]

I found a coworker who has one and offered to let me borrow it to try....sounds like I may be gettin wet in a test pond.  If I have the guts to try I will get pics/video and report back.

[Sockrsblur]

I have bought small 12.5' kayaks cheap. They will handle a lot for there size and are made of tough plastic. If they blew off the truck at 65mph there would be only scratches. Those sleds are not that cheap for the price difference ide consider a used boat of kayak. I have one of those sleds and they are awesome behind the 4wheeler or snowmobile.
good luck...

[stykbow67]

You might try zip tying some of those Floating Noodles to the edge of the sled all the way around. I would think that would help the stability out considerably but I still don't think I would haul anything but gear in it. The float tube idea just might work also.

Steve

[Roughrider]

I use a similar sled for ice fishing - a couple years ago we had a warm spell that caused some snow melt and run off that raised the water level in a pond I wanted to fish - there was enough solid ice on the pond yet, but about 6 feet of open water along the edge - I tried everyway I could think  of too float across the short stretch, and the sled would not support me and about 20 pounds of gear - I weigh about 190.  I'm sure there's a calculation somewhere for how many cubic inches of water would have to be displaced to float a certain number of pounds.

[Forrest Halley]

I think you could do it with the life jackets for the deer and you with a ride on top kayak. I'd use a line that spans the whole water crossing so that you're high and dry as the deer is floated across. This way if the voyage goes south your boat isn't tied to an anchor nor are you. If you tie the line off to something hard and fast on the truck side of the water and you fall in, you can haul yourself back across to warm if not dry. Do not assume you'll be swimming strong in the cold water in heavy clothes. A life jacket worn properly would be a mandatory item. I'd also tie in the bow and gear. The big downside to the sled as a boat is that it doesn't appear to have any inherent buoyancy. This means your screwed if it floods or flips. I vote sit on top kayak.

[fujimo]

google jon boats.
you could build a very cheap( lumberyard ply) and usable boat- glue and screw and a stockholm tar/linseed oil finish- makes a very permanent  waterproofing- in and out. and just hide it at the crossing- that will carry you and your deer and all your gear.
 but i think the sled would be a real option- especially with the pool noodles zip tied on- creating some outboard stability and the needed flotation- use a take down double paddle- and you wont be forced to  lean too much to one side like a single paddle requires.
leave your deer on the bank- with a rope tied to it- once safely across- just pull it across after you- but a deer in the bottom of the sled would help with stability(ballast!!)- IF it didnt slide around in the craft- then it will flip you for sure.
and it could be used to drag the deer home in afterwards- especially if there is a skiff of snow on the ground!!
you might be pleasantly surprised
check ou the stability of this.
  http://koti.kapsi.fi/hvartial/coracle/coracle.htm  
you could make one of these- and carry it in. or simply hide it there- for covering i would use what they are using for the skin on frame boats nowdays- with a newer and better sealant compound.
wayne
ps. another good link.http://overthegate.myfreeforum.org/archive/coracle-mark-2-the-build.-...-...-...-loads-of-photos.__o_t__t_14807.html

[Hummer3T]

I have tried a little (by mistake) with mine 36 inch X 6 feet on winter ice, because they are flat bottom and deep but small footprint displacement and a curved up frount you must get very low down and very balanced in the middle of the sled.  I beleive they would tip  and/or sink. Size of the individual matters. I would def. not try something new like this in the winter!

I suspect rowing or paddling would also cause some issue, causing balance to shift and change causing a quick flip.

My instant was too ice fishing with flood ice, the sled kind of did the job but also hung up on the ice alittle.

[soap creek]

what about puting an inflatable raft in your sled and inflate it when you get to the water

[mjh]

Check your life insurance policy, get someone to record the event, bring sat phone or spot for rescue squad, go buy a canoe, kayak, native watercraft, a real boat.   The fishing tube might not be a bad idea.