Floats for Kitfox 5/6/7

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Kicking around the idea of going rafting this summer, and a buddy has a set of Edo 1320's that he's willing to make a fair deal on. Any float folks out there have some input on these? FWIW, my plane is a 1550 gross Kitfox 5 Outback with a 118 hp Lycoming, and I'm currently around 900 lbs on Grove gear and 26's. The floats don't come with rigging, so I'd need to figure that out, but a call up to Kenmore could have some shaped tubing and hardware on the way pretty quickly.

[PapuaPilot]

I wouldn't even consider those floats. If you want to use your plane over 1320 pounds on floats it is going to be underflowed, which is very dangerous.

Quick math check says your new EW is going to be at least 1000#. With full fuel your plane is going to be around 1150#. This leaves you with a maximum of 170# for the pilot and any cargo . . . period. In other words you will have a one person float plane.

FAA requirements for floats are for a minimum floatation of 1.8 x aircraft's GW. This means that a 1550# Kitfox would need a set of 1467 floats as a minimum.

I have lots of time in the C-206 on Aerocet 3500 straight and Wipaire 4000 amphibious float. Both of these floats have more than 1.8x bouyancy and made for a very nice handling plane.

Here is a discussion about this on another forum:
https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/what-is-the-optimum-size-for-aircraft-floats-22302

[DesertFox4]

http://www.zenairfloats.com/

Take a look through Zenair’s site. 1450 size seems to work well on the 5-7SS models.

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Thanks for the input, gang. Aside from Zenair's, any other recommendations?

[PapuaPilot]

I second the Zenair 1450s.

[patrick.hvac]

Zenair 1450 Kitfox videos
https://youtu.be/LCmju0Dk9hE
https://youtu.be/oFt2Rr_Wgl0 (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FoFt2Rr_Wgl0%3Ffbc lid%3DIwAR3HQV67Q8Hi2dvmvLwvePy_oyS_l8fdteKyJpOMET OWnnbIzM4coYW4a5I&h=AT1L2SbO8feIxbzNRESWP6jvcb_SJzRlZ5uGVrzAzcSEshTQ 1muE--rTMGKv35OVcBwDgxK8PZq3nN4LrUQQ9QXtTJpUBAcgod6MmTtM smEmikB3SDtBNkhdHrvvKxAEBpQ7AQ&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT135O39SGPWBolMKZh5ZO5KboZ2nepAoPkf8IyrQ17OFcYUl lHm_perekQJKdD6HjdjCixE9SXzSIvnnvaUjh6kgeQWSnm02hm XNKr7Q1HoOn_gEn9quHlJMrcl5XNxvFrYp0_cytZ0aRTWZNXMz BbOOaLw4o7bfCUS7p3oRyQSjKc)
https://youtu.be/cisBITCTUs8

[JoeRuscito]

For what its worth, Im building a set of amphib Zenairs right now. It is a TON of work. I ordered the basic kit, don't make that mistake. The extra money will easily save you a few months of head scratching. Also, I was fully spoiled by the awesome support on this site when building my kitfox. Im super lucky to have a fellow kitfoxer that just built some floats that I can reach out to. Without that there is little to no support. Im happy to do the same for you if you decide to build a set, although I'm far from an expert.

[Kitfox Pilot]

Joe I've been watching you land on sand bars down in Georgia and now you're going to be landing between the sand bars. Haha

[kmach]

Clamar floats are another option. 1450 lb rated floats would be the minimum to put on.

I have found what I think is useful info on this site, www.harborsportaviation.com

I am not affiliated with them, nor have I done business with this site, just like the info they provide for ideas.