RE: Can't get off the water with Float Plane
In my opinion, water like glass = zero wind speed. This is why it takes more power to lift it off water imo.
Beside all the other suggestions, a bigger engine will take care of this issue.
I use a four stroke OS 70 engine on a hangar 9 piper (the 80" wingspan version) and it takes it off in less than 10 meters during glassy water conditions.