Has anyone tried spraying some silicone lubricant to the bottom of your sled or shack to make it “slicker” for when you’re pulling? I tried it the other day and it seemed to help. (Though not as well as it did for Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation).
Curious if others have done this, and if so, what brand etc. seemed to work better.
Ski wax.
As small amount of chemicals it is, I wouldn’t want the masses of ice fisherman’s sleds lubed up all winter.
A smitty sled is the only thing that will make it pull easer. Waxes ware off as soon as you drag it across the parking lot.
Armor All works good.
shockers no lube just scratch lol!! hope all is well.
THE SCRATCHA!!!
All is well. And would be better if I was younger and didn’t need to find ways to lube up my sled. I may have to paint THE SLEDDER on the side of my sled.
Ski wax. Hmmmm. Didn’t think of that one. May give that a try too.
I have a smitty sled made from two down hill skies. works great! I put my Otter sled on top of the smitty with bungee cords.
When I think about it, I spray it with some “PAM” spray cooking oil.
Adds a little extra slip for a while.
While I have my wife’s spray cooking oil out I spray the working part of my snowblower before I put it back. Helps there too. 
As mentioed, dragging on gravel/asphalt will wreck any lube. If I was going to try I would use glide wax for skis. It’s the stuff that you apply every few days to skis after the hot wax. Wipe on, buff lightly when dry.
Only the runner portion of the sled comes in contact with pavement, i agree the wax would wear off there but i would think if you waxed in the depressions you would get benefit as it will not wear off on concrete and does come in contact with snow while dragging
None nuclear cereal varnish is my go to.
Just bought a bottle of teflon spray to see if it helps. Teflon is the slickest lubricant on the planet from my google search so why not right? I will report back if it is worth it. The smitty sled is my project for next year.
I never had any luck with any sort of lubricant on my sled, including ski wax. The benefit was minimal, at best, and only very temporary.
It didn’t seem any different than spraying Pam on an auger to prevent freeze-up. Drill 10 holes and it’s gone.
As mentioned would need to be reapplied often. Best bets to build that sled next year. When you do find a set of no wax cross country skis.
Took an otter tub added water skis on bottom using 4 inch tubular aluminum 6 inches long. To get bottom of sled up off snow. Added a bar in back for pushing instead of pulling.
All the experts on sleds said I should have used snow skis. But the wooden water skis ride higher in the snow. The experts argued for pulling also. All I know is what my 70 year old back and lungs tell me.
On a recent trip went with a fairly fit 30 something fella. He remarked I seemed to be in better shape than he. As he was calling for the rest breaks on our jaunt across the lake. Let him push my sled for a bit. He is now building one identical to mine. On pure ice no resistance whatever. On snow covered ice very little even though is loaded.
Yeah, the more I research it, the more I’m convinced building my own Smitty Sled is probably the best route to go. Not quite sure on the ideal design as there’s a ton to pick from on YouTube etc., but sure seems like that’s the route to take.
Now just gotta find some old downhill skis cheap!
SIGH
I recommend checking out the definitive thread on smitty sleds (and I believe the source of the entire idea). Start on the last page and work your way backwards as many of the earlier pictures have broken links now after 9 years.
It’s the wrong time of year to be looking for cheap skis, but I’d still check out every thrift shop in the area and you’ll eventually find them. Look at others beyond just Goodwill and Salvation Army too.
https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=103927.1680
Now just gotta find some old downhill skis cheap!
I would go with cross country skis if you have to pull up any steep embankments, the grips on the bottom of the cc skis will hold the sled in place for you to take another step up the hill or if you happen to fall down, where as the downhills if you slip or let go of your rope then there goes the sled..
Spray on Slip Plate from a farm store. Graphite. Give it a shot each outing.
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