Is a cub on floats worth it?
03-03-2004, 08:40 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (11)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: richmond,
KY
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is a cub on floats worth it?
I'm building a Goldberg Cub that I'm considering putting on floats. If I do I'll build it full wing, if not I'll clip it.
Is it worth it to build it on floats? I'll lose some aerobatic potential with the full wing and then there is also the cost of the floats which is around $65 when you also add in covering.
I do live a block away from a lake that I could fly it at and I also own a kayak that I could retrieve it with if need be so it would be convenient to fly it on floats but I'm not sure that it would be fun enough to warrant the extra cost. At first I really wanted to go floats but now I'm thinking I just want to clip the wing and put on wheels so that I can do mild aerobatics with it.
Thanks,
chris
Is it worth it to build it on floats? I'll lose some aerobatic potential with the full wing and then there is also the cost of the floats which is around $65 when you also add in covering.
I do live a block away from a lake that I could fly it at and I also own a kayak that I could retrieve it with if need be so it would be convenient to fly it on floats but I'm not sure that it would be fun enough to warrant the extra cost. At first I really wanted to go floats but now I'm thinking I just want to clip the wing and put on wheels so that I can do mild aerobatics with it.
Thanks,
chris
03-03-2004, 09:00 AM
#2
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: ruston, LA
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
I love float flying. The Cub is a perfect airplane for this. I would go for it. Two reasons, float flying is a blast, and the Cub even in the clipped wing version is not much of an aerobatic airplane. Its just a fun airplane to fly around.
Go float flying, make some new friends.
tonyc
Go float flying, make some new friends.
tonyc
03-03-2004, 09:52 AM
#3
My Feedback: (35)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: West Monroe,
LA
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
Chris,
I'm not a "builder", I fly ARF's, but if I lived near a lake, a plane with floats would be a must. I am currently assembling the GP .40 sized ARF, and it will be going on floats. There is a river here in town that I can fly it from, but I bought it to fly off of an area lake that's near my parents house approx. 30 miles away. Once a week I go up to see them and I will carry my plane with me when I go.
So, there you go. If I'll drive 30 miles to fly off of water, then your question, in my opinion, is a no-brainer. As for the plane being a Cub, it's supposed to be a relaxing, slow flyer. I think you need to keep it that way. Having a scale-looking plane flying low accross a lake will definately grab peoples' attention. Go for it!
John
I'm not a "builder", I fly ARF's, but if I lived near a lake, a plane with floats would be a must. I am currently assembling the GP .40 sized ARF, and it will be going on floats. There is a river here in town that I can fly it from, but I bought it to fly off of an area lake that's near my parents house approx. 30 miles away. Once a week I go up to see them and I will carry my plane with me when I go.
So, there you go. If I'll drive 30 miles to fly off of water, then your question, in my opinion, is a no-brainer. As for the plane being a Cub, it's supposed to be a relaxing, slow flyer. I think you need to keep it that way. Having a scale-looking plane flying low accross a lake will definately grab peoples' attention. Go for it!
John
03-03-2004, 09:55 AM
#4
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
Build the floats AND clip the wing. Clipping a Cub's wing will reduce a LITTLE of it's lifting ability, but it also greatly reduces weight and drag. You won't have any trouble lifting off of water with a clipped wing (And it will fly Soooooo much nicer).
And while it's no 3-D machine, the Goldberg Clipped wing Cub is VERY aerobatic. (With the Full Wing however, it's a dog)
And while it's no 3-D machine, the Goldberg Clipped wing Cub is VERY aerobatic. (With the Full Wing however, it's a dog)
03-03-2004, 10:44 AM
#5
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
I'm with Minn, clip the wing and put it on floats. The clipped wing
Cub makes one of the best floatplanes in existence. You'll like it.
The full span wing is trully a bust.
Mine flys just fine with the clipped wing, the weight of the floats is
noticable but doesn't affect flying characteristics unless you do an
inverted flat spin (not recommended).
Jerry
Cub makes one of the best floatplanes in existence. You'll like it.
The full span wing is trully a bust.
Mine flys just fine with the clipped wing, the weight of the floats is
noticable but doesn't affect flying characteristics unless you do an
inverted flat spin (not recommended).
Jerry
03-03-2004, 11:02 AM
#7
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Strathcona county,
AB, CANADA
Posts: 5,394
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
Get another wing kit and build 2 wings - one full span and one clipped.
The weight and drag of the floats will be noticeable - especially with the clipped wing. Take off is not a problem...it is the landing. It will sink like a rock when you pull the power off...
The weight and drag of the floats will be noticeable - especially with the clipped wing. Take off is not a problem...it is the landing. It will sink like a rock when you pull the power off...
03-03-2004, 10:05 PM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (11)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: richmond,
KY
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
Thanks for all of the great replys. I think I'm convinced now. 
Jim Casey, what size cub is that in your picture?
Which floats are the best? I've been looking at the GP fiberglass, GP balsa, and the Goldberg set. Seems like a few people have posted having problems with the fit of the built up GPs.
I won't have to fly out of the kayak, it will be there for just in case.
chris
Jim Casey, what size cub is that in your picture?
Which floats are the best? I've been looking at the GP fiberglass, GP balsa, and the Goldberg set. Seems like a few people have posted having problems with the fit of the built up GPs.
I won't have to fly out of the kayak, it will be there for just in case.
chris
03-05-2004, 10:35 PM
#12
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
>>Jim Casey, what size cub is that in your picture? <<
The one with the detached wing and the three guys standing around is a 1/4 scale. Built by Jerel Zarestky. Very scale, with $eaCommander float$.
The other one is a 1:1 scale.
The one with the detached wing and the three guys standing around is a 1/4 scale. Built by Jerel Zarestky. Very scale, with $eaCommander float$.
The other one is a 1:1 scale.
03-08-2004, 07:12 PM
#14
Junior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: lexington,
KY
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
I have been to about three Float events in my area and I can tell you the most exiting and beautiful airplane all those times has been a Yellow Cub. Period.
I am building one and plan to soon(maybe in Toledo) buy a Mariner setup.
Roberto.
I am building one and plan to soon(maybe in Toledo) buy a Mariner setup.
Roberto.
03-12-2004, 08:23 PM
#15
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Leeds,
ME
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
Why don't you buy a wing kit and you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Use the long wing for float flying and the clipped wing for aerobatics when you have wheels on it.
03-18-2004, 12:00 PM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
Chris
You are getting some great advice from these guys, I have a Goldberg Cub. I have a full wing and a clipped wing. I have Goldberg floats and TNT landing gear for it. I put it on floats when I'm going float flying and put the landing gear on it when I want to fly of land. They are correct when they say it drops like a rock with the clipped wing. It's a floater with the full wing.
I would suggest fiber glassing your floats, at least the bottoms. It takes a little longer but looks so much nicer and they really hold up better. Remember to protect your reciever from getting wet. It may sound crazy but putting it in a condom works well.
If you keep an eye on eBay, you can get Goldberg floats and wing kits there.
Good Luck!
Gary
You are getting some great advice from these guys, I have a Goldberg Cub. I have a full wing and a clipped wing. I have Goldberg floats and TNT landing gear for it. I put it on floats when I'm going float flying and put the landing gear on it when I want to fly of land. They are correct when they say it drops like a rock with the clipped wing. It's a floater with the full wing.
I would suggest fiber glassing your floats, at least the bottoms. It takes a little longer but looks so much nicer and they really hold up better. Remember to protect your reciever from getting wet. It may sound crazy but putting it in a condom works well.
If you keep an eye on eBay, you can get Goldberg floats and wing kits there.
Good Luck!
Gary
03-18-2004, 05:48 PM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (11)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: richmond,
KY
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
Geez, I've received more responses than I ever thought I would. Thanks to everybody.
I'm planning on just building a full wing. I really just want a nice put-put plane, I can do all the aerobatics with my Funtana.
As far as floats, I'll probably go with these: http://www.geocities.com/planefunfloats. Does anyone have any experience with them? Not a bad price considering they're ready to cover and won't fill with water. I plan on glassing the bottoms.
I'm planning on just building a full wing. I really just want a nice put-put plane, I can do all the aerobatics with my Funtana.
As far as floats, I'll probably go with these: http://www.geocities.com/planefunfloats. Does anyone have any experience with them? Not a bad price considering they're ready to cover and won't fill with water. I plan on glassing the bottoms.
04-29-2004, 01:49 AM
#24
Junior Member
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Is a cub on floats worth it?
I'm getting in VERY late on the coversation.... but..... I always keep a J-3 on floats around. Big J-3's, small J-3's... any size J-3 as long as it has floats. On occasion I will fly one on wheels but only on occasion. When no other plane is in the mood to fly, my J-3 is. It's my touch stone with ......... sanity? When all my other planes bore me, or jerk my chain, Yellow is Beautiful.... As long as it's above silver floats!
