The research that I have done on this forum indicates that the floats should be approximately 70-80% of the fuselage length. I am planning on converting a Tiger 2 to a float plane and visited CG, GP and Trading Falcon web sites to view their floats. I noticed that Trading Falcon recommends their floats for airplanes with a wing span up to 80". A typical fuselage for an 80" wingspan would exceed the length for using their 33" floats. My guess is that Trading Falcon has done their homework and that their 33" floats work on larger airplanes. Does this mean that I can use their 33" floats on a 55" fuselage Tiger 2 and expect good water performance.

This forum has been an exceptional asset in my effort to get started in floatplanes. I am sure that each of you has experienced the excitement as you started on this slippery path. Thank you sincerely for the information and sharing your personal experiences.

Howard

Yes, the Falcon floats will work very well on the Tiger 2. That rule of thumb is a good overall guide, and works well for "average" airplanes. The Tiger 2 has a longer tail moment and a lighter weight than the "average" airplane. I have 31" Zeedoo floats on a Cermark Graduate that is about the same size as your Tiger and they work just fine.

Jim

Seconded. 40-size plane such as a TigerII would work well with floats in the 32" range. I've done a lot of 40" floats for Sig AstroHogs-not much different-just bigger.

I'll offer a different view in that they may work in calm water, but if you get any waves or chop, you may find that long tail hitting the water. I'd suggest no shorter that 36" floats...The goldberg floats are very popular if you don't mind building....

Howard, my brother flys his Kadet Senior on a pair of my 34" floats and a friend flys his Senior on a pair of my 42" floats. Both setups work fine. Actually the 34" floats look too small, but the plane is so light it doesn't need the floatation provided by the larger floats. What seems to work well is to have the float step near the CG of the plane and have a couple inches of float ahead of the prop. I saw a Cub, that had the floats set back too far, go over on it's nose as it taxied away from the beach. I think it was a good thing it happened there and not while he was landing. I too think a set of 33"-36" floats would work well for you.....Seaplane

With the "step" of the float 1/2 to 1" behind the CG, the nose of the float must protrude 1 to 2" forward of the prop.

>>With the "step" of the float 1/2 to 1" behind the CG, the nose of the float must protrude 1 to 2" forward of the prop. <<

I will henceforth designate a new block of granite to be carved: "The nose of the floats shall protrude in front of the prop by 20-30% of the prop diameter."

2" works fine for a .40-size plane, but would be unflyably excessive on an electric park (pond?) flyer, or uselessly inadequate on a quarter-scale. However, 20-30% scales up with the plane.