Jim, you touched on some very good points, and the survey is very enlightening. I am the only one in our club at this point that's interested in water flying, but that could change if just one plane gets going, as you probably know.
The retrieval of a stalled plane out on the water is my no. one cencern at present. They do quit in the damdest places, and I don't swim too well above water. The boat was an idea that appeared fair to start with, but once I played it out in my mind I came to same conclusion you mentioned about getting the plane secured in a proper position for towing, especially from any distance away that makes a good visual a bit dicey. If others show any interest, maybe one will have a small boat or dingy we can use. One of those "peddle boats" you use foot power on would work. We have lots of Commercial Crawfish Ponds around this area, but the farmers take a dim view of distrubing those precious creatures. Even a three foot deep body of water about ten foot wide would be great. I have a horse pasture that I may be able to convince the wife and kids...aw stop dreaming GP!