I guess I was looking for a scale-like performance and looks at the sacrifice of easy take offs and landings. This I knew from the beginning and I think I got what I was looking for. Once I am through the transition from taxi to take off every thing is fine. The problem is that the plane sits a little lower in the water than I had anticipated and for the first few moments the spray comes right over the nose and into the prop arc. It looks like a hive of bees around the engines until it gets up on the step. As soon as I gain a little speed the spray rails lift it out and every thing is fine.
It's amazing how much more power two 25's have than one 46 or 50. Power cures all.
You pays your money and you takes your chance.
Peter