First snow in the North

[Layne]

Well with the arrival of first snow, I debate what kinda ski? I fly a 2000 M7235C. Last year I drove all winter on my 31 AB's. It worked well for where I played. I have a chance to pick up a nice set of 3200's, with manual hydraulics, good skin, 1969 model. Question? What is a ball park $ for them? Has anyone done deep snow with trick air wheel penetrating skis? I know the best is straight ski, but I need the hard surface option too. Lastly, tail ski or no tail ski? Snow is variable from my lake front packed to endless depth. Oh, and I have two seasons here, winter for 8 months and summer for 4. Thanks!

[TomD]

Welcome to the club!

Your seasons sound like the old saying in Vermont: "...eight months of summer and four months of poor sledding."

Personally, I prefer my frozen water in a tall glass cooling my beverage.

TD

[UP-M5]

fluidyne 3200's are a good ski. expect to pay $8-$10k for a complete set with hand pump and rigging. and dont forget another couple thousand for the first install- due to having to run hydraulic lines through the belly and mounting the pump, and welding the ski axles onto the gear legs.

fli-lite 3000's are another good choice. similar prices and install procedures. but they offer a little more floatation. but (despite their name) they are a little heavier.

tail ski---- can you walk to the back of your maule and lift the tail up right now? what about when its loaded? now put yourself in 3 feet (a meter?) of snow and try lifting that tail while you are waist deep and the plane is stuck. if you dont like the sound of these things- get a tail ski

[JDW]

Layne
I got the Trickair skis late last spring so I don't have much time on them. Just been in 1 1/2 to 2 ft of snow seemed to do ok. It wasn't fresh snow.(New pilot first time on skis) The only thing I don't like about them is they take away 140 lbs. But when I took them off only took 10 minutes. I have the MX7180C so with your bigger engine you should be able to get off alot better than I can.



Should be putting them on in about a month or so. I have the tail ski just waiting to see how much snow we get this year to try it out? Good luck with what ever skis you get...

[Layne]

Thanks guys! That was the info I was looking for. See what kinda deal I can get on the 3200's. If not might have to go with the trick option.
And yes, be cautious when a Canadian gives you runway length, it maybe in meters.

[YELLOWMAULE]

Get the tail ski.
Hard water does belong in a cocktail glass (Year round... )and the funnest flying and hardest work you will do will be on skis.
Get the tail ski.

[Skystrider]

Welcome to the club!

Your seasons sound like the old saying in Vermont: "...eight months of summer and four months of poor sledding."

Personally, I prefer my frozen water in a tall glass cooling my beverage.

TD

Okay Tom, I have read this several times and are you sure that is "summer" and not "winter"?

[TomD]

"summer" and not "winter"

You're right. Must have been dreaming of summer since we really did not have one in Seattle this year. My moss is growing moss!

[Layne]

OK. Went with the old Federals. Now I need to get all the paper and rigging info for the M7. Where is the best info found?

[UP-M5]

if you mean federal A2500A, then maule has the install drawings. dont even bother calling wipair (current owner of federal brand) for these. i got them from maule.

[Layne]

if you mean federal A2500A, then maule has the install drawings. dont even bother calling wipair (current owner of federal brand) for these. i got them from maule.

Sounds good. I will call Brian. .? Federal 3200 hyd wheel ski...or am I looking at the wrong numbers?

[Layne]

Thanks UpM5. I Roger you reply now. Anyone got any used 3000 tricks airs for sale?