It wasnt easy but after 2 aborted attempts the plane flew.
I learned quite abit about floats. While the step aligning with the CG is important, if the floats are to short (like mine) you have to have them forward enough to support the plane.
On our 1st attempts the plane was nosing over and hitting the water. After moving the floats forward the plane sat in the water correctly.
Probably because the step was so far ahead of the CG it was hard to keep it straight on takeoff. Like the test flights friday night it wanted to skid hard left or right.

two things helped, More power from the OS .50sx and the water rudder I added to one float.

The biggest factor was a breeze blowing right down the pond in the perfect direction. It made the plane weathervane into the wind and go right where I wanted it to go.
The small ripple it caused on the lake help the floats brake free.

This was at an Oktoberfest event in Hopedale, MA. They had asked if our club could provide float flying entertainment.
After all the early morning attempts and adjustments our club pro got it to lift off and fly. Once off the water it required very little trim and flew great.
So after about 30 minutes, I worked up the courage to give it a try. My water maiden with a poorly performing setup and about 100 people behind me watching.
I aborted my 1st 2 attemps and brought it back and around. The guys suggested getting up on step and then add full power more quickly. I had a little better control at full power but still squirrly on those short skids.
But I got the plane up and then I heard the round of applause from the crowd as they could see I was struggling with it. It helped having a couple of the club guys talking through everything. So many things going through my mind its easy to miss something. I made a dozen curciuts around the pond and one of the guys suggested to start bringing it down a little and setting up approches, OH YEH! good idea. After 2 approches I brought it down smooth and taxied it in to another round of applause. Thats when I could feel my knees shaking and the big grin comeing over my face!
The 2nd flight whent even better with smoother takeoff and landing.
The 3rd flight didnt go well. I think the problem was NO WIND. I lost my weathervane to help with direction and the water was smooth.
It handled really poorly but I went for it and flipped it on takeoff. A big AWWWWW! from the crowd. So I got to use the canoe to go out and get it which also entertained the crowd.
No damage to the plane , the float supports just got all bent up.

OK thats it for float flying. Floats are already off.

On to the next project.... Instead of putting the trike gear back on this trainer can I convert it to a tail dragger?

Pop

Nicely done Popriv!
From the photos, it looked like all had a good day!

And, of course, who would have thunk that your plane would float so well upside-down!

A water landing is much more gratifying isn't it?

I agree, it was great skimming it down onto the water. and you can land anywhere, no overshooting the runway.

Everyone else had no problems taking off. the challenge was making these undersize floats work.
The takeoffs were not enjoyable...

This Oktoberfest event was the 1st annual so we are hoping they invite us back next year as we were very popular with the crowd.

That means we would have to use the pond for practice during the summer??? We are hoping..

Pop