Kitfox vs RANS, The Building Experience

[StuBob]

If I were really smart, I'd buy a flying airplane and build floats for it.

[Esser]

Stu, I think you hit the nail on the head. Build times for a plane already built are much shorter than a kit. I love building but there are times where I wish I had a plane flying faster than my schedule allows. Plus you are going to spend the same in the end on a kit you build yourself as an already flying specimen. You won't know the plane as well as some of us here but you have lots of help on the forum. Get your building itch scratched with building floats. I would have loved to build floats but I know I will never end up doing that once I have a flying plane. Goodluck!

[Bud Davidson]

Wow!!! I purely by chance have taken on the completion of a KF IV . Got a 912 instrument panel forward from a totaled KF. My earlier project completed in 1992 took 5 yrs and 6000 hrs. Built from plans. Had to hunt supplies. Used a Ford V 6 engine. Built amphib floats later which took 1000 hrs. Float kit from Montana floats which were excellent in all respects. Anyone wanting a good float kit, I recommend them. Flew that project 18 yrs and should have kept it.
But, this discussion has me really excited about completing and flying the Kit fox. Thanks for the encouragement.
Bud

[StuBob]

1000 hours to build the floats! Ack!!!

[WWhunter]

Stubob,
I have a set of the Murphy 1800 Amphibs, haven't done much on them but looking through the build manual, they look nearly as complex as building an airframe. Lot more to them than I guy thinks. Bulkheads, chines, pump outs, gear, etc. all add up to a lot of work.

[StuBob]

I guess that explains why they cost almost as much as an airplane, too.

I wonder about the Zenith and Full Lotus models.

[Esser]

MY buddy runs Full Lotus floats. If you are flying in rivers where you have rocky, shallow shores I think they are the best bet. They have an amphib flavour too. The new ones are a lot less draggy than the old.