Skid plate or float plate?

[polaris6]

So the pro is coming soon. I can't decide between a float plate or a skid plate. The float plate looks like it protects alot better than just a skid plate. I worry that he float plate may get a lot of snow and ice stuck between the ate and the body. Did anyone run a float plate last season? What are your thoughts? Thanks

 

[TNytro162]

As for a Nytro last ran a skid,,this year i'm going to give the skinz floast plate a run..Havent mounted it yet so I'm not sure aabout coverage. I saw as i glimpsed at the directions they have a small hole to drain water to lessen the chance of frozen ice and snow. With the Nytro there is just so little to use as flotation in the deep deep POW.

 

[gman086]

Float plates are for flatlanders that need the extra protection with their low-snow conditions and stumps. Skid plates work much better in the steep and deep as they do NOT hinder powder carving/sidehilling and do not pack with snow. Another reason I don't buy anything from Skinz as they try to market their garbage to everyone which is just plain wrong and only looking to make a buck. Check out Dootalk with all the threads on cutting back the old-style skid plates for better carving - one of the big reasons the Summits didn't carve as well as other mtn sleds. Narrower is simply better for mtn riding and don't let anyone tell you differently!

Have FUN!

G MAN

 

[cb2honk]

Float plates are for flatlanders that need the extra protection with their low-snow conditions and stumps. Skid plates work much better in the steep and deep as they do NOT hinder powder carving/sidehilling and do not pack with snow. Another reason I don't buy anything from Skinz as they try to market their garbage to everyone which is just plain wrong and only looking to make a buck. Check out Dootalk with all the threads on cutting back the old-style skid plates for better carving - one of the big reasons the Summits didn't carve as well as other mtn sleds. Narrower is simply better for mtn riding and don't let anyone tell you differently!

Have FUN!

G MAN

gman,

You must work for free or you're one of OBAMA's free loaders! A company that makes snowmobile products, trying to make a buck by advertising to snowmobilers across the country, whoever heard of such a thing...

You were doing good in the first two sentences, and then you showed your intelligence.

 

[TNytro162]

So I see the Skinz project black sled also has a Mountain tammer on it. Does that mean everbody should throw out there Tsled suspenstions becuase it's being promoted by SKINZ,,,,Ya thats what I thought genius.........

 

[cb2honk]

Polaris6,

I have a pro coming also, and I'm going with a skid plate. I have no experience with skinz float plate, but I'm sure it works well. The only reason I am choosing the skid plate is because the dealer is selling me one cheap.

 

[Bagger]

P6, I'm currently trying to make the skid/float decision also, not sure yet what I'm gonna do on that. I'm taking a poll of my friends (shouldn't take long!) and will gladly pass on what info I gather.
I will have to say though that the several products that I have from Skins are first rate and their customer service is top notch, I'm looking at the same Tracks USA add that's headed the screen for years and the same rightside Klim add . . . I'm confused. Gman, can you elaborate? Thanks.

Bag

 

[Reg2view]

FWIW, I went with the stocker plate last year, and was satified. No snow/ice buildup, and I've experienced that with larger float-type aftermarket plates on other selds over the years. Not a big deal if you ride a day in the pow and can thaw out the sled. If you ride back-to-back deep days, that's when the I would run into ice issues on other sleds. Again, FWIW. And, my stocker has a some dings, but didn't bang anything really hard with it. It's a bulkhead rock guard for me, realize I could lose a lower arm, and have, occasionally.

 

[gman086]

Skinz is marketing their "float" plate to mtn riders to help "float up" the sled in deep pow. Those in the know understand that a good powder ski does this and absolutely no need for a "float" plate that will actually be a detriment to powder carving. That and their childish rants over on DooTalk over whether their covers are waterproof or not (they AREN'T) is the issue I have with Skinz. They're definitely the least professional aftermarket company I've ever dealt with and I've dealt with many. They flat out lie with their marketing and it doesn't take a "genius" to figure that out, LOL!
Bottom Line: The stocker plate from Poo is a good one and more than adequate for mtn use.

Have FUN!

G MAN

 

[Jaynelson]

FWIW, I went with the stocker plate last year, and was satified. No snow/ice buildup, and I've experienced that with larger float-type aftermarket plates on other selds over the years. .

Same for me on both points.

 

[Trenchmaster]

Skinz is marketing their "float" plate to mtn riders to help "float up" the sled in deep pow. Those in the know understand that a good powder ski does this and absolutely no need for a "float" plate that will actually be a detriment to powder carving. That and their childish rants over on DooTalk over whether their covers are waterproof or not (they AREN'T) is the issue I have with Skinz. They're definitely the least professional aftermarket company I've ever dealt with and I've dealt with many. They flat out lie with their marketing and it doesn't take a "genius" to figure that out, LOL!
Bottom Line: The stocker plate from Poo is a good one and more than adequate.

Have FUN!

G MAN

I have lots of Skinz stuff on my Dragon and it's all top notch stuff, I will be moving what I can on to my new sled. The skid plate on the Dragon did collect some snow, but to me the extra protection was well worth it, the combo of the plate and bumper made the front end much more durable. If the skid plate is to wide for your liking it is easy to trim it back some, I never noticed any handling difference after I installed it on my Dragon, but I think it saved me from wrecking a couple of "A" arms.

 

[treemagnet03]

gman...this is the beauty of advertising! Doesn't have to be 100% correct. For instance, waterproof comes in scales. If it doesn't say 100% waterproof, then don't expect it to be. They would win that in court, because I bet that it does prevent some water coming in. Similar issues are seen with 'waterproof' jackets, gloves, etc. I bet the float plate does help float some (say you lost one ski fighting a tree...). Choice of wording I guess.


Please note, I have no stake in this, but am always amused at advertising. See, I have to listen to drug reps all the time tell my profession about how great their junk happens to be. And they never lie, they just don't tell the whole truth. People have degrees in this: marketing. So, as with anything, I guess we just keep reading between the lines.

Cheers!

-T

 

[m1kflyingtiger]

I bought a stock one last year because the shop was backordered on the skinz and he gave me a great deal when I said I was thinking about waiting. I didn't have any issues with buildup under it and it took a couple impacts last year. Its still in good shape, and didn't have any times last year where I wished I had more front end "float" I've never been disappointed in skinz products and actually have some more on the wayfor next season, but I don't see any advantage to the float plate over the factory Polaris one after spending a season on the best "floating" stock sled you can get.

 

[gman086]

gman...this is the beauty of advertising! Doesn't have to be 100% correct. For instance, waterproof comes in scales. If it doesn't say 100% waterproof, then don't expect it to be. They would win that in court, because I bet that it does prevent some water coming in. Similar issues are seen with 'waterproof' jackets, gloves, etc. I bet the float plate does help float some (say you lost one ski fighting a tree...). Choice of wording I guess.


Please note, I have no stake in this, but am always amused at advertising. See, I have to listen to drug reps all the time tell my profession about how great their junk happens to be. And they never lie, they just don't tell the whole truth. People have degrees in this: marketing. So, as with anything, I guess we just keep reading between the lines.

Cheers!

-T

Absolutely T, couldn't agree more! It was their attitude towards those that disagree with their claims that really turned me off. It's a free country and we're free to state our experiences about products good or bad. That's a big part of why I read Snowest - to help me decide which products are worth my hard earned cash and get advice from those with experience. My experience with their products and their reaction was poor, YMMV.

Cheers,

G

 

[Reg2view]

Professioal marketing = who is the lepper with the longest fingers.

To reach into your pocket.

Sorry to confuse you marketing guys, the rest of you know exactly what I mean.

 

[polaris6]

Thanks guys, if it protects well then that's what it may be better than the skid plate. I always seem to hit some rocks and stumps and want to have some xtra protection. Does anyone think it adds more protection than the skid?

 

[hiwayman]

I'm a flatlander and opted for the skinz float plate. not because I saw any advertising talking about more float, but because I had a stock skid on my dragon and It wasn't much protection against rocks and stumps. Beings where I ride in the flatland is lots of rock and stumps and where I ride in the mountains is all rock underneath snow. Isn't that what a mountain is? Rock? I thought the extra width would be a good thing. Now granted I'm just a flatlander and have never sidehilled or tipped my sled up on the side, so maybe the float plate won't work.

 

[Bagger]

I'm a flatlander and opted for the skinz float plate. not because I saw any advertising talking about more float, but because I had a stock skid on my dragon and It wasn't much protection against rocks and stumps. Beings where I ride in the flatland is lots of rock and stumps and where I ride in the mountains is all rock underneath snow. Isn't that what a mountain is? Rock? I thought the extra width would be a good thing. Now granted I'm just a flatlander and have never sidehilled or tipped my sled up on the side, so maybe the float plate won't work.

Don't sweat it Hiway, some folks have different ideas on what is acceptable when they are facing a keyboard instead of a person and then some folks can't accept it when someone doesn't agree with them or take thier viewpoint as gospel instead of just recognizing it as different from thiers. It's no big deal, I know I've calmed down quite a bit as I've aged.
Oh, and, yes I do believe most mountains are rock! (at least the ones here are!)

Bag

 

[gman086]

Thanks guys, if it protects well then that's what it may be better than the skid plate. I always seem to hit some rocks and stumps and want to have some xtra protection. Does anyone think it adds more protection than the skid?

Definitely which is why I recommend them for flatlanders. I have them on my MI sleds at my folk's place (the Holeshot ones, not Skinz, HA!). Wider = more protection. The wider plate does not hinder carve initiation nor sidehill initiation but it DOES hinder the ability to keep it there (balanced on one ski) in deep pow. This (and the 16 wide track) is the major reason why Summits had that feeling of wanting to "right" themselves and not hold the line when sidehilling. BRP finally figured this out and their new plates are narrow like the Poo ones for mtn use. If you ride the mtns you just have to ask yourself which is more important to you. The Cascades had 30-70 feet of snow over the mtns last winter so hardly a need for more protection but if you ride early or late season more than mid season you might opt for a float plate. Hope this clears up what I was trying to say...

Have FUN!

G MAN

 

[polaris6]

Gman- you hit it right on. I live in The Midwest and ride out West 2 weeks per year and here rest of time. Thanks for the advice guys, snowest is the best because you get a lot of different opinions.