Mostly the difference is if you dead-stick you can't walk over and pick up your airplane.

Whenever the motor is running, the plane will be moving. Whenever the motor is NOT running, the plane will be moving. (Usually away from you, but that is because of Murphy's Law. )

Some guys will tell you that you need water rudders to taxi in the wind. They help a little, up to a point. You DO have to learn how to turn your plane 'cause it will want to point into the wind at idle, or if you go to fast idle it will want to point doownwind...In between is a magic place that will allow you to turn crosswind, but beware! the wind can take your upwind wingtip and lift it and force your downwind wingtip into the water. This can flip your plane over on its back faster than you can say all those punctuation markes that Sgt Snorkel says to Beetle Bailey.

Take off: Low idle: The plane will point into the wind. Full up, add power. The plane will climb over the bow wave and level out. Neutralize elevator, let the plane gain speed, then breathe a little back pressure on the stick and you're flying.

Landing: Set up from downwind, coming toward you. Keep a little power on in the final to flatten out the glide. Watch for the reflection of he plane on the water. Judge your height with the reflection. Pull back the power and let it settle in a full stall landing just like on wheels. Just land as gently as possible. It's a thing of beauty. If you land too fast it can skip. The second landing is steeper and wetter if you don't do anything to correct.