[FaceDeAce]

Hello there folks!

I have here a set of floats that have been moved from shelf to shelf to shelf over the years. I've had them so long I just can't remember what they are good for. I am hoping someone here "in-the-know" can tell me what the reasonable capacity of these floats are.

These are foam core floats balsa sheeted. They are 31 inches long, a little over 4" wide at the step, and about 2.5 inches high. The bottom of the floats is V shaped, about 15 degrees. If I need to, I will post a picture when I find the camera. (don't know where the kids left it).

My question is:
What size plane would these be good for ... how much weight? (lbs/kg). If I can't get a fairly "for-sure" answer on that I will deligate them to being snow skis.

Thanks, in advance, for your insight.

[Cougar429]

Generally, the rule is the float length is 60-80% of the wingspan.


Here is a good comparison: The approx 4.5-6 pound Goldberg Eagle 63 and Eagle 2 recommend floats of 36" length and that's what I'm in the process of fitting to mine, (all my others are amphibs). They are similar to yours in that they are balsa sheeted foa, with V bottoms. One thing to add would be to glass the bottoms as they can take a beating.

Although I have seen some showing floats of 34" rated to 8 pounds, I would imagine they would be of a wider beam to handle that weight.

Got to love when the kids borrow stuff. I used to find the tools my son would use on some of his projects with the RIDING MOWER!!!!!

[Dave Holmes]

Floats usually are about 75 to 80% of the length from the back of the prop to the rudder hinge line. The step should be placed so it is under the CofG when the plane is in a 3 to 5 degree up attitude.

A site with excellent info is Here

[FaceDeAce]

I just had an that might help me.

If I were to finish off these floats (cover them) and then temporary rig them up together with a simple flat surface to put stuff on ... then I guess i could float them in the bath tub and add known weights onto the platform to find how much they can carry.

I guess my next question then would be how much can I "sink" them before the weight is considered too much?

[Dave Holmes]

Originally Posted by Claude Paradis

I guess my next question then would be how much can I "sink" them before the weight is considered too much?

That all depends on how much power you give them to make them come up on step so they can be pulled out of the water, I suppose. As I always tell people, "with enough power a brick can be made to fly".

[Caygeon Flyer]

As other folks have commented, it not about the displacement of the float, it is about the length relative to the airplane. You need the size for stability, particularly if there is a bit of chop on the water. Look at photos of full scale floats - they do not sit very far into the water.

Peter