For times when one has to traverse across a frozen lake the ARGO is the perfect vehicle for such tactically challenging maneuvering. In the event that the ARGO does exceed the ice’s weight limit and falls through, the vehicle is consistently able to claw its way out to safety. With features such as this it is no wonder the ARGO is able to grant peace of mind to even the most apprehensive ice fishers and off-road winter enthusiasts.
In fact, ARGOs have even been dubbed “The Unofficial Rescue Vehicle” after an Ice Fishing tournament in New York. As the tournaments Coordinating Director, Mike “Smitty” Smith reiterates, “They [the ARGOs] saved our bacon. Since the ice was only two to three inches, it was too thin for Snow Mobiles and ATV’s. The ARGOs assisted in pulling out snowmobiles and ATV’s all day long.” Clearly, with testimonials such as this, it is no surprise that the ARGO has been labeled the most versatile vehicle for ice conditions.
“Overnight, the temperature plummeted and the swamps I had eased through the day before now had ice varying in thickness from one to two inches. At the edges, the ice would carry the weight of the machine but in the centre of the larger pools, the Avenger would fall through. The tension showed pretty clearly on my face the first time the machine went in. I sat there bobbing for a minute, mentally shrugged and gave the throttle a twist. Like an obedient lab retrieving a duck the Avenger clawed its way forward breaking the ice as it went. When I hit the thicker ice, the tracks spun, the machine walked sideways a foot and the tracks grabbed purchase and up we clambered on top of the ice.”
Rich Mellon
Host – “The Outdoor Quest”
www.theoutdoorquest.comIndeed stories such as these are leading more and more adventurers to go with the ARGO as their ice expedition vehicle of choice. One of these ambitious voyageurs was Fernand Trahan, who in the spring of 1995, completed a 1,600 km odyssey along the frozen east coast of Hudson Bay. Trahan felt that it would be too dangerous for one person to travel alone by snowmobile across the ice of Hudson Bay, so he chose the relatively lightweight ARGO. During his journey he faced 50 to 90 kilometer-an-hour winds and torrid -45°C temperatures, but as Trahan states, “If you’ve got an ARGO, you’re ready for it and it isn’t too bad”.
If Trahan’s journey is intimidating simply based on the frigid conditions he was forced to endure, then the ARGO offers the perfect solution for those wary of the cold. Optional accessories such as the windshield, soft top and heater mean that your passengers can stay cozy and warm while still enjoying the beauty of winter. Without a doubt the ARGO is the ideal off road winter ice vehicle for any type of person no matter what the occasion.