Here's my latest seaplane conversion, a Stringer 40 on old timer style, tail dragger floats. I haven't flown it yet from water, but have several flights from land. I have flown the floats on another plane that has been retired so I don't expect any problems.

A couple of things of note about tail dragger floats:
1. The tail float acts like the water rudder. In this case, it is attached to the rudder.
2. As soon as you hit power, the tail is up and you are on the step, so to speak.
3. The original plane skimmed in very nicely, then settled back on the tail float. I have also brought it in very slow in a head wind and sat it down 3-point.
4. The rear of the main floats is in the location of the step on conventional floats.

Sea Stinger Specs:

Stinger 40 ARF
Saito .72, 13-6 prop
Front float: 15" long
Rear float 7" long
The floats were made from a pair of Niagara foam floats.