Well I decided to grab a fresh cup of Joe and sit and watch your video. Nothing like a DIY to admire and use. Even though I ,which I call myself a kayak "yak for short" trekker.Got the joy on the water and on foot to the most secluded places my yak can bring me. When I'm in need to get away from society and all that comes with it. To mingle with mother nature and with all she brings my way. The peacefulness of my other world I live in. So I say cheers to all, who gets out there to enjoy themselves. Mark I was first directed to your channel after I watched Peters channel from FSBushcraft on the pocket bellow,which I thought was a marvelous DIY and subscribed to your channel since then. Some ideas I get from your channel I use to my advantage which is a great help to me. I want to say thanks to you and all other RU-vidrs by putting their effort and time out here by making videos and posting, for us to learn the knowledge of ideas others may have.Cheers! On a note, looking at your web belt. I just purchased one last winter.A Blackhawk tactical.Had the idea to use it when I went from yak to shore I could carry some essentials on it "water, knife, cell, first aid etc. when I went for an adventure on foot. Besides comes in very handy when you have no belt loops, like me in the warmer weather when I'm wearing shorts most of the times. I loved that belt so much I ordered two more. Anyways I'll quit rambling. Though I won't be using this idea since my yak carries my gear for me,as long as there is open water of course, I travel light on foot in the snow. Just to say another video I enjoyed while having a cup of Joe! Cheers!
Hi Keith. Thank you watching and enjoying my videos. I am pleased some of my ideas are helpful to you. I actually have a Blackhawk belt I considered using for this project but it was too short to go around a coat. I enjoy using my "yak" as well for exploring and hope to make more use of it this summer. Thanks for commenting
Great video! After researching many other DIY pulks on YT & other sources, I used most of your designs to build my pulk on a Pelican 45L sled. My pulk has 550 paracord instead of mule tape & I was able to find 1/2-inch CPVC pipe at Canadian Tire along with all hardware. The whole project took about 2 hours & I'm ready to try it on a late winter camping trip near Moncton. Thanks again for the detailed plans & description - very easy to follow & much appreciated.
Thank you for your kind words. I likely overbuilt mine with the mule tape. I am also wishing my PVC pipes were a bit longer. Not a big deal but would make it a bit easier on the down slopes. Thanks for commenting
Great video! I just built my first pulk sled system a few weeks ago. I too used a duffel style bag for my gear inside the sled. Much easier access to my things as opposed to wrapping everything in a tarp. For my belt, I found a tactical belt on Amazon with a quick release buckle. It has heavy duty loops that I clip my poles to using carabiners.
Fun project and neat ideas there Mark! I've never worked with "mule tape" before - sounds kind of tricky if it's so difficult to tie into a knot. The one weakness I see with a single rope system used for all the connection points is a potential cut/break. Wouldn't they all immediately loosen up? Perhaps mule tape is so tough that this won't ever happen. Happy travelling on the snow and ice!
Hi Paul. Glad you enjoyed the video. I can understand your concern with the one rope system. I would be very surprised if the mule tape would every break due to its strength and the fact the load is distributed along its length. If it ever does I am sure I could rig up a short term fix. Thanks for commenting
I found a real good deal on some Faber hybrid snowshoes I am dying to try out as well...possible big storm coming next week...hopefully. Thanks for commenting JIm
Interesting project. Enjoyed watching you think through the process, as you developed your design. Good points throughout. For those without a sewing machine, use a needle with large enough eye to use dental floss for "thread" with the mule tape. Will be much stronger than traditional sewing thread. Like, too, the idea of using seat belt material for your belt. Use the hardware from an old leather belt of the same size. By doing this, you can make your sled attachment points exactly where you need them. If you have an eyelet punch/setter, you can reinforce the holes you punch into the webbing. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent job the only two things one you addressed was pole length doses need to be at least 5 ft or can cause problems with pull and stride second the ice rail bolts should be changed to flat head with lock washers which lay flat and offers no resistance to snow or ice and nothing to poke holes in gear on top I used titanium pop rivets great job though 👍🏻
Hi Lonnie. I have to wait again for more snow. We had a good amount but it rained and was all washed away. We are having a real up and down winter. I took inspiration from your pulk build as well as others. Thanks for commenting
Have you ever thought of adding skis to the bottom? (raised up of course)... like how ice fishing communities does it "Smitty Sled", basically same thing but reason why ice fishermens add skis is because they pull/ glide so~~ much easier, smoother ON snow. You should check it out.
That sounds reasonable for areas that are relatively flat. My area is so very rocky and hilly. I am not sure how much better it would be, but it is something to consider. Thanks for commenting
Hi Jason. I originally thought I had bought my sled too short but the duffle bag I put in it is over 100L...can't imagine dragging any more than that...Thanks for commenting
Nice build! I only have one suggestion...the hardware you used for the skags (alum. runners) would be to turn around the head of the screw to the underside to cut down on drag from the nut. I have a sled for ice fishing that I added a poly runner to reduce the drag and had the hardware the same way you started. After use i switched to flathead screws countersunk on the outside. Made a world of difference!
Good point. I did it this way to avoid having something that might rip a duffel in the sled but I could turn them around and make sure the ends are covered. Thanks for commenting
Very good. I like to see your videos because your topics are great and your english is so nice. So I can improve my english. I fear the metal at the bottom will work great on ice but not on snow. It works like ice scaters. Good on ice but it will cut into the snow and slow down the sled. A flat metal strip will work better I think. Anyhow a big praise for your great work. Thanks
I am glad you enjoy my videos. I wonder about the metal (skeg) on the bottom as well. Some builders felt it was helpful while others thought it slowed them down. I will know once I try it. Thanks for commenting
Did a great job, Mark; Hoping for a few flurries for ya so we can give 'er a test & maybe even have a Brew-Up ! Safe Journeys, Friend ! ATB Ter God Bless
Thanks Terry. Our weather is constantly changing. Overnight it dropped from +4C to -9C. I am not sure our lakes are safe to travel on yet...Very little snow left in my area..But the winter is young. Thanks for commenting
You probably have your Harness System in the room with you. Any well-made Pack with a Sewn-in Waist Belt should be easily modified to attach the Pulk to it. So you would end up with your Base Camp in the Pulk, and a Water Bladder and some Emergency Kit in the Pack just in case you have to ditch the Sled. Hope this helps.
Absolutely. Maybe I should have mentioned it. My plan is to carry essentials in a smaller backpack or shoulder bag in the event I have to ditch the sled as you say...Thanks for commenting
Great DIY Mark. I have build something very similar but not as robust of a lashing system as yours. Great system for hilly terrain as you mentioned. Cheers
Hey Dale. Good to hear from you. Now if only we would get more than a couple of inches of snow before it gets washed away by rain...I also have new snow shoes I am wanting to try out. Thanks for commenting
I agree..if I can find one cheap I will buy it for sure. I did find a carpenters belt with sidelock buckle that looks like itmight work...thanks for commenting
Mr. Young, I just got around to watching this particular video and had a couple of thoughts on your belt/harness. I was thinking that a nylon weight belt for scuba diving may fit the bill. They are fairly stiff, designed to take a significant amount of weight, very secure, and have a very easy to manipulate (one-handed operation) buckle. If extra padding is needed, some scrap neoprene or the padding for a military pistol belt may help. Thank you for all of your videos and insights. My wife and I enjoy your channel very much.
Thank you very much for your kind words regarding my channel. I like your idea of a diving belt for it's quick release feature. If I can find one at a reasonable price I will definitely try it out. Thanks for commenting
I did think about an old fashion wood toboggan like I had as a kid. I think both have their place in the right woods. If I ever get my hands on one I would like to compare. Thanks for commenting
I agree with you concern. So far, it has not been an issue. Still, I am replacing the belt and side-lock buckle with a diving belt. it has a lever release. So much easier to use and less likely to fail. Thanks for commenting
Very nice pulk sled build. A few years ago I did a very similar build and it turned out great. I used a tool belt from Home Depot that was wider and had more padding to make it more comfortable. I didn't put skegs on it yet but I think that would be an improvement and I have some aluminum stock in the shed. What size bolts did you use to go through the sled into the skegs? I can send a link to my video if you like or you could just check my channel. It is one of my most popular videos. I hope make another video using it on an overnight trip very soon, we just need more snow.......Take care, Bluefin.
Hello, please do send me your link. I used 1/2" #10 machine screw with lock washer, nut and larger washer. Just barely long enough. Another viewer suggests I reverse the screw so the head is on the bottom to reduce drag. Something to consider. Thanks for commenting
I was thinking that it might be wise to reverse the bolts in the skeg also. You might get less snow build up on them. Here is the link to my build: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RATlvtCl65I.html ......Take care, Bluefin.
I would suggest not using the side-release buckle as a quick-release. I have had these buckles under load, and they were impossible to release. I would suggest a 2" plastic one-handed quick release buckle such as one might find on a SCUBA diving weight belt. If you are anticipating dangling in a crevasse...just sayin'.PS I understand that side release buckles are the dual pinch-type.
You have a really good point. I was playing with a 2" side-release(dual-pinch) buckle recently and found it hard to operate with gloves as well. I was thinking a seat belt buckle or cam buckle. I will check out the scuba buckle. Thank you for commenting
Hi Brad. My plan is for some overnights in the woods this winter...My health will be a factor as the side effects from the chemotherapy are starting to add up. I certainly intend to try and get out there. Thanks for commenting
Mark Young. Your pulk looks great, almost identical to mine and it should work fine. I used a leather heavy duty work belt for mine, not sure if that would be easier to unhook in case of an emergency, probably not. Looks great and I look forward to seeing your test run. We had 2 feet of snow here and now I'm looking at green grass and rain! I hope to get mine out again soon. Wade
Mark, I wish we had more snow to be able to justify making one of these...Can I ask how big (LXW) the useable cargo area is? Looks to be about 36"x 20"???Have you had a chance to use it yet and if so, what are your thoughts?
I know what you mean. I have two pair of snowshoes as well as the pulk getting dusty for lack of use. So, no I have not had an opportunity to try it out yet. I am getting good use out of my Katoola Microspikes because of all the ice on the trails. Here is the link to where I bought it (on sale). www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/pelican-nomad-40-ice-sled-0788262p.html#srp Hope this helps
Unfortunately not. We either have not enough snow to make it worth while or I was unable to get out. I have two pair of snowshoes that I have not used in over a year. Hopefully soon
I'm thinking about building one for hauling my 70lbs Russian hot tent. Currently I can only hike with an ultralight teepee hot tent but even still, winter gear is heavy and anything on your back makes snowshoeing or trek skiing more difficult and dangerous, so a sled seems like the way to go. But why pay a couple hundred on one when you can scrape something together from the hardware store?
Interesting choice in the Russian tent. A pulk or sled seems like a great solution for a number of reasons. I am finding it to be a bit of a challenge for my area as we are not getting the amounts of snow we used to. Also, the area I go most is very hilling and rocky. Hard to drag a pulk up and down. Thanks for commenting
Nicely done sir. Obviously well thought out. It will be interesting to see how the field test turns out. One thing that might help with the belt is a buckle kayakers wear on their rescue towing belts. Here's a link: www.mec.ca/en/product/5009-043/Quick-Release-Belt. Kind of expensive for the whole belt, but you really just need the quick release buckle. Cheers.
Thank you very much. I do like the look of the rescue belt at MEC. I did find a relatively inexpensive heavy duty nylon carpenters belt with a side-release buckle (fastec style) for $14.00 at Canadian Tire that I rigged up. Not sure if it will need padding. Only time will tell. Thanks for commenting
The rings I use are "harness rings" I picked these up at Canadian Tire, a general store here in Canada. I paid $2.50 CAD each for them. These are the stainless steel versions. Hope this helps
