Frequently asked questions about Seaplanes
#2
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Hi Jim, thanks for the link, lots of good info. As I mentiomed in a different post I have appreciated your help in getting started in floats. My grandson thinks the old LT-40 is for old duffers like and wants a 4*60 on floats. Any suggestions you might have will again be greatly appreciated. I tend to build heavy, and think that Plane fun floats are the way to go. Joe
#3

a 4-star 60 is not that much different from an Astro-Hog, and those work great on 40" floats.
The worst thing about a low wing plane is that you have to insert the wing through the float struts. I have liked the plane fun floats as long as I have known about them, and they help keep the plane light. You have got to wean yourself from building heavy. There is just not a benefit to it. A heavy plane just has that much more kinetic energy than a light plane, so you just damage that much more of it if it hits something. "Just a gram here, just a gram there" adds up. I used to fly with a guy who built astonishingly heavy. We'd carry his plane out and it was like carrying a tombstone. His planes did not fly gracefully.
With a low-wing and a 4-stroke, you'll need to mount all your electronics back in the fuselage. This not only balances the plane but it keeps the electronics out of the water better if you get blown over.
The worst thing about a low wing plane is that you have to insert the wing through the float struts. I have liked the plane fun floats as long as I have known about them, and they help keep the plane light. You have got to wean yourself from building heavy. There is just not a benefit to it. A heavy plane just has that much more kinetic energy than a light plane, so you just damage that much more of it if it hits something. "Just a gram here, just a gram there" adds up. I used to fly with a guy who built astonishingly heavy. We'd carry his plane out and it was like carrying a tombstone. His planes did not fly gracefully.
With a low-wing and a 4-stroke, you'll need to mount all your electronics back in the fuselage. This not only balances the plane but it keeps the electronics out of the water better if you get blown over.
#6
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A good source is www.seacommander.com They are similar to the old STREAM INC floats which were very good but closed down about 10 years ago. I still have a set on my Stream Schneider Sport 60.
#8

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ORIGINAL: Crewcut
A good source is www.seacommander.com They are similar to the old STREAM INC floats which were very good but closed down about 10 years ago. I still have a set on my Stream Schneider Sport 60.
A good source is www.seacommander.com They are similar to the old STREAM INC floats which were very good but closed down about 10 years ago. I still have a set on my Stream Schneider Sport 60.
Thanks.
#10

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Hey there. I searched and couldn't find my answer. What is the formula for determining how long your floats need to be for any given airplane???
#12

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Hello seaplanes fans,
What I'm looking for is a great all around seaplane. I've been doing alot of research and found that no seaplane is really great. I've been looking at the catalina and the DH beaver from E-flite. I'm not a great RC builder I'm not looking to make a bunch of modifications if I'm going to spend alot of money on it. I've been reading forums where they spend so much time on the modifications they could have built it from scratch! So my question is "which Electric Seaplane is better" the Catalina, Lanier, seawind or DH beaver from E-flite? My budget is around 400.00
thanks guys,
Scott
What I'm looking for is a great all around seaplane. I've been doing alot of research and found that no seaplane is really great. I've been looking at the catalina and the DH beaver from E-flite. I'm not a great RC builder I'm not looking to make a bunch of modifications if I'm going to spend alot of money on it. I've been reading forums where they spend so much time on the modifications they could have built it from scratch! So my question is "which Electric Seaplane is better" the Catalina, Lanier, seawind or DH beaver from E-flite? My budget is around 400.00
thanks guys,
Scott
#13

Join Date: Jul 2007
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Hello Seaplane fans, I am looking for a Lanier Mariner 120. I know they do not make the ARF anymore. Does anybody have one out there they want to get rid of or is there a kit that is comparable to this model.
Thanks,
Wild Bill
Thanks,
Wild Bill
#14
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Friend of mine has a Thunder Tiger Sea Master. The wing is made to be removed and has a small gap where the wing meets the fuse. Any ideas how to prevent water from entering this gap? Thanks

#15
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ORIGINAL: Rudys Pilot
Hello seaplanes fans,
What I'm looking for is a great all around seaplane. I've been doing alot of research and found that no seaplane is really great. I've been looking at the catalina and the DH beaver from E-flite. I'm not a great RC builder I'm not looking to make a bunch of modifications if I'm going to spend alot of money on it. I've been reading forums where they spend so much time on the modifications they could have built it from scratch! So my question is "which Electric Seaplane is better" the Catalina, Lanier, seawind or DH beaver from E-flite? My budget is around 400.00
thanks guys,
Scott
Hello seaplanes fans,
What I'm looking for is a great all around seaplane. I've been doing alot of research and found that no seaplane is really great. I've been looking at the catalina and the DH beaver from E-flite. I'm not a great RC builder I'm not looking to make a bunch of modifications if I'm going to spend alot of money on it. I've been reading forums where they spend so much time on the modifications they could have built it from scratch! So my question is "which Electric Seaplane is better" the Catalina, Lanier, seawind or DH beaver from E-flite? My budget is around 400.00
thanks guys,
Scott
#16
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Flyman 1948, that was a good year; I have a Conn tenor saxophone, made in 1948, that I bought recently from a guy down in Florida, and what a beautiful sound it has. They're certainly not made like that anymore.
Back to the problem. I used a rubber door sealing material that comes in a roll from the hardware store. It's semi tubular, probably a little fatter than a half circle, about 5/16th of an inch across, with a flat piece down one side that is self adhesive. It compresses very well, down to about 1/16th inch.
If you can't picture it or are having difficulty with the concept, let me know and I'll post a pic of it.
Back to the problem. I used a rubber door sealing material that comes in a roll from the hardware store. It's semi tubular, probably a little fatter than a half circle, about 5/16th of an inch across, with a flat piece down one side that is self adhesive. It compresses very well, down to about 1/16th inch.
If you can't picture it or are having difficulty with the concept, let me know and I'll post a pic of it.
#18

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A great way to water proff the wing saddle is to put a bead of silicone all around the wing saddle,(after good cleaning of saddle) then line that with waxed paper, (no wrinckles) then mount and tighten the wing. Let it set overnight. Remove the wing and gently pull off the waxed paper. The silicone will not stick to waxed paper. Now you have a nice silicone gasket seal around the wing. That's how I do it, works great. Just my 2 cents.
John
John
#20

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ORIGINAL: GaryGrosso
Where can I get servo shields for the bottom of the wing?
Where can I get servo shields for the bottom of the wing?
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Why is this thread a Sticky if no one is going to answer peoples questions in a timely fashion??,
Really 2 months for this simple question and no one replies? the question before that took 5 months to get a reply???
That doesn't help the new people get and/or stay in excited about the hobby. this poor guy Gary, Joined, asked a question, didn't get an answer and hasn't posted again?? We may have lost him, that sucks big time
I'm just checking in because I'm trying to get motivated to get back into RC again, been into Dirt Bikes and rc offroad racing the last few years.