I don't know where the legends got started that float-flying is so complicated. The only real trick is selecting floats that are reasonably close to the right size. When they are really right, it's sweet, and you can take off in the same distance as with wheels. When they are reasonably close, you can fly anyway. It's not like you will burst into flames if there is a 5 mm discrepancy. It IS important to put the big end in front.

I agree with earlier post that you don't need more power.

My club website (link below) has several links to show you how to get your float installation really really right. (But they all disagree on small details) Here's one:
http://jcasey02.home.gate.net/FLOAT%...%20TUNING.html

I put together a plastic airplane last week and nothing about the float setup is "optimum": the floats are some old ones I had lying around: BJ floats on their 6th Airframe: For this plane they are a little short, they are not mounted with positive wing incidence, I have no water rudders. They are mounted with the prop too close to the water, and they are old and scruffy.
It takes off fine anyway.