Picked up an M8 a few months ago on the “heroin” credit plan (first four months, interest free). Excited to have something that might be safer and easier to handle than our Yamaha Nytro. But, next thing I know I get a recall notice to have the ECU reprogrammed. On advice of dealer, I pull ECU and leave it with him, thus bricking our brand new snowmobile as snow sifts down outside and my sled friend heads up the Flat Tops for some fun. Getting pretty used to snowmobile companies and dealers over-promising and under-delivering, but this one takes the cake, eh? Our 2011 M8 cinder block with the Arctic Cat logo!
At any rate, might as well use the brick as garage sculpture, and yeah, we’ll probably be driving it soon so shut my whine faucet. Check out my “minimalist” ski and luggage rack design. Click images to enlarge.
Completed M8 ski and luggage rack. The idea is to be minimalist, and the outriggers are removable with four small quarter inch bolts. The aluminum rails accept bungie cord hooks, and strengthen the tunnel.
Snowmobile ski rack outrigger detail. The rectangular depression under black cross member is the heat exchanger. It needs to be protected from damage, so the crossbar does that as well as holding the outriggers solidly.
Another outrigger detail. Upper two nuts allow quick removal of upper part.
Welding is life.
Shovel mounted, showing use of bungie as well as another support cross member.
Made these small black right-angle brackets so I wouldn't step on the aluminum and bend it.
Tails of skis easily lash to the lattice holes in M8 running board.
Stuck this chunk of rectangular alu tube across the tunnel.
Completed ski support is covered with chunk of hose, strap attached.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
