WWhunter;
I apologize if that came off wrong. All I was doing was sharing what owners told me, and shared my own opinion after flying ONE Rebel amphib. So maybe that wasn't fair. But I have flown a lot of airplanes, especially seaplanes. And to clarify, I didn't say the Rebel flew bad, I said I just didn't get excited by it.
Ironically a buddy had a 180 hp Rebel amphib for sale a little over a year ago for 50k. The airplane was real nice and well proven, and honestly I was thinking it might be fun to play around with. Anyone that has built an airplane knows 50k for a 180 hp amphib is a hell of a deal. But he talked me out of buying it saying I wouldn't like it. He bought it thinking it would be more cost effective and fun being an amphib compared to the straight float C 182 he had last, which he didnt like the operational cost of (14 gph), and really wanted an amphib. But in less than a summer he and his wife agreed they didn't like the Rebel, and ultimately sold it to buy an older 170 with a 180 hp on straight floats. And they are very happy with it. So again, just sharing what I learned.
And honestly, maybe I am just spoiled? My Kitfox amphib can fly 100 mph without breaking a sweat on only 80 hp. And it still climbs great. But it certainly is lighter feeling than a Rebel, and I would expect that as it weighs only about 2/3rds of what the Rebel amphib weighed (I seem to recall it was around 1350 lbs empty). So yes the Rebel will probably "feel" heavier than my Kitfox because it is. And yes, the Rebel will probably feel like a sporty 172 as it will be lighter than the 172. ( Oh, and to adress previous reply about Glastar on amphibs, yes I agree, it's not going to be a spritely performing amphib, but overall they do work pretty well as long as you don't have to operate from a small lake). I do however still believe a newer Kitfox would be an overall superior airplane, but again that's only my take.
The real thing for anyone considering any airplane is to go out and fly one. And talk to others. We all may have different views. I have a friend that lives in Alaska that flew Huskies and Supercubs his entire life. Hated the Huskies, but loved Supercubs. Then one day he bought a 912s Highlander. But shortly after getting it he sold it. I asked him why and he said he hated it. When asking specificly why he hated it he replied "It was overpowered and there was just fabric on the inside of the baggage compartment and I was afraid antlers from my hunt would poke holes through it".
And counter of that, I have two other friends, one had a Husky amphib, and the other a Smith Cub on amphibs. Both built Highlander amphibs and tell people all the time they would never go back to the Husky or the Supercub. So different strokes for different folks...as they say.
Please don't be offended by my comments. Your comments have already offered the person questioning the Rebel another good perspective to consider.