I built mine from plans with no modifications and it is a wonderful flyer. Absolutely no bad habits and easy to get on and off the water. The plane is quite acrobatic. If you're a patter flyer, you will really like what you have here.

Mine is covered with ultracote and it does leak water into the fuse and I can't seem to find where it comes in. I have a silicone caulk gasket on the wing and I put vaseline on it when I fly and it still leaks in somewhere. I am considering stripping the covering and adding 1/16 balsa skin to the fuselage before recovering.

I have an old K&B .61 on mine and it has more than enough power. Our lake is 3000 feet above sea level. Your Irvine should make it a real performer.