Good FloatPlane ?

Looking for a good floatplane that fly’s well and can handle some waves.

This could be an ARF or kit. Wondering if any one has experience with a G& P Sales Sea Bee.

Thanks

Check out Unionville Hobby kits, available through Great Hobbies. Prices are in Canadian dollars, so great deal. I have 7' Norseman, built but haven't flown yet. A friend had one and was very happy with it. I enjoyed building the Norseman, light construction so will fly well on .90 4C.
If more interested in ARFs, I also found someone on RCU that offers ARF's of same planes in same sizes. His website was something like deHavillandmodels.com.

I am just finishing a Falcon Trading Company Ready (high wing trainer type) with their floats. This thing goes together real easy, the instructions are photo illustrated and these airplanes fly really good. Plus the thing is made of plastic therefore no worries about getting it wet.

You just attach the floats to the gear mounts and replace the nosewheel strut with the included one. No incidence or center of gravity to worry about. Couldn't be simpler.

I have a 40 sized SEAMASTER that has been framed up in almost in an ARC stage.. It's the original not the factory ARF.

If you're interested E-MAIL or PM me.

RON in NEVADA

You might want to consider Sig's Rascal Forty ARF. They are coming out with 41" ARF floats for it. They fly excellent.

I built one several years ago. First fiberglass and foam wing project. Little work involved compared to major manufacturers. I bought the retract kit. That turned out to be a lost cause. The pushrods are a little tough to install inside the tail end of the fuse. They are nirods, same as ailerons. I guess the biggest complaint was the cost and materials required for finishing. It really drove a high price for a 40 size float plane. The second complaint was the flying habits. I had one of my clubs guru pilots test fly and some subsequent flights. He never came a way with refuel it lets fly again. Real bad climb problem. I spoke with GP sales. They gave different incidence numbers than on plans. The stab compared to the wing is a serious "v".

With all that said, she really cooked along on a 46FX with pusher 11x7. Talk about a plane no one has. Check out www.nwrcc.com. This is a pic of my plane. I eventually sold her bcs of being a handful for my capabilities.

The ACE seamaster is a super sport flying float plane 40 size. I have built the 40 and 120 size for a friend. The ultimate float plane is the Goldberg Cub on Goldberg floats. Very rugged, beautiful with an OS 70 4stroke. No brainer when it comes to setting up the floats. Self aligning. Excellent for the lazy pond . I have built and flown a couple of these. Stronger than the Great Planes Cub kits.

Hope this helps.

The Balsa USA Northstar is a great plane. It is fast, can handle more waves than a lot of planes and is a blast to fly.

I second the vote on the Northstar. excellent with waves and will not tip over. Fast and fun.

any of you build the north star? i was thinkin about building one. i've only built a couple of kits and never a balsa usa kit. any nuggets of wisdom for me guys?

I've got to add my endorsement for the Balsa USA Northstar. A very enjoyable kit to build and a blast to fly. It looks awesome in the air and also on the water. Laddie did himself proud on this one.

Well, I guess I'm the odd man out here. I built a Balsa USA Northstar and it was a nightmare. I saw a guy that had one and thought it looked cool, never saw it fly but he said it was a good flier so I bought one. I found it to be a tough build, and the final product never flew well after countless CG changes and configurations.

The ACE Seamaster, on the other hand is one of the best seaplanes ever! Unfortunately, it's only available in ARF's now days, but get your hands on one and have a ball!

I saw a guy that had one and thought it looked cool, never saw it fly but he said it was a good flier so I bought one.

Here is a picture of mine flying. It is a real good flyer. Didnt have a problem building it.
Dan

nd another on water.
Dan

That's a fine lookin' Northstar. Thanks for your replies. Most of you given good reviews, so I'm gonna give it a shot...this winter. Too nice to be building this time of year. Nova Scotia's flying season is awfully short.

Thanks for the compliment. Glad to see you going with the Northstar. If you have any problems or questions feel free to e-mail me.
Dan

Thanks man. I'll keep that in mind.

Looking for the CG location and control surface throws for a Balsa USA north star, I recently bought one and did not have the plans.

You might get faster response if you post in the "Seaplanes" forum.
Good luck

According to my plans the CG is 2 inches in front of the step. Throws, I don't remember and the plans are at the shop and not here at the house. I'll try to remember and post them next week.

I'v had a Sig Hog Bipe,BTE Flyin king,CG Tiger 2,Sig 4 star on floats.My favorite has to be the Hog (it just flys the same way as it does with wheels.The others seem to fly draggy.I've also built the Balsa Usa Laker,Ace Sea master,Northstar.(great flyers all)

As promised, I have looked at the construction booklet and plans and did not see any recommended throws. I will look at BUSA web site later.

Thar's nuthin' purdier than a Yallar Thang on floats... (J-3 Cub) You can now get an ARF Cub and buy floats that are ready to install.

However, the Sea Cruiser is the best thing that I have flown off of water. It will knife edge, snap, spin, and the take-offs & landings are a breeze! It's too bad that Hangar Designs quit making the kits.


Jake

I'll second the Northstar, as it's rated to be flown off snow as well! Although I have not flown it off snow, and has only had a few flights. Still, a cool looking plane.

I will second taht it is not an easy build, and that care must be taken. Thi is not a it like GP or Sig, which details a lot int eh manual Balsa USA are considred to be 'builders kits' anyways. It also builds big! that plane is one peice, and cannot fit into some small cars.

Also, people say that even a good .46, the plane is underpowered, and always requires weight up front. Plan to move them servos and radio as far forward as possible. Ditto with the engine, get it as far forward on the engine moutns!

here's mine!