Kieth,
None of us flying Seamasters use the landing gear although one guy did once. We seal up the nose gear area to make it waterproof.

We also waterproof any area we can reach with thinned epoxy or some other product.

You will find this is a really great flying seaplane!! Very easy to fly and forgiving and aerobatic also. Can even do a great knife edge!

Keep at it you will be rewarded with a great flying boat!!

Joe