BC-12D 100hp on floats

[fearofpavement]

I am looking for information from those who have operating experience with Taylorcrafts on floats. We have a 100hp BC-12D and are thinking of using it on the Amazon. It is currently set up for Edo 1320's but I have gotten some info that those floats may be inadequate for the 100hp set up. I am not sure if other larger floats are approved for the BC-12D. I don't think it has the full model 19 conversion. It was an in house STC that we did for the engine in the mid 90's. I have float experience but unfortunately none is in a Taylorcraft so I am seeking others opinions. The plane is on wheels presently but has been flown on the 1320's. The person that would have the info I am seeking is deceased and I am left with questions. Thanks.

[Dano"T"]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

Do a search on Baumann floats. I just purchased a set of Baumann BF1500 last year and the have the added floataion you may be looking for. Call Joe Birkemeyer at Baumann at (715)246-9352 he has flown my 85hp T-craft on the new BF1500's quite a bit, so he'll be very helpful. I love them...and certification is pending...should be done early this spring. See Pictures HERE

[dedrekon]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

I had a BC12D converted to an F19 on Aqua 1500 floats. It's a nice combination....a good solid float and pretty quick off the water. I've heard good things about the Baumanns and I've seen a 100hp BC12D on the Edo floats too.

[crispy critter]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

I am looking for information from those who have operating experience with Taylorcrafts on floats. We have a 100hp BC-12D and are thinking of using it on the Amazon. It is currently set up for Edo 1320's but I have gotten some info that those floats may be inadequate for the 100hp set up. I am not sure if other larger floats are approved for the BC-12D. I don't think it has the full model 19 conversion. It was an in house STC that we did for the engine in the mid 90's. I have float experience but unfortunately none is in a Taylorcraft so I am seeking others opinions. The plane is on wheels presently but has been flown on the 1320's. The person that would have the info I am seeking is deceased and I am left with questions. Thanks.

Does your 100hp BC12D have the long mount,starter,and generator? If so then it has a 1400-1500lb gross and the 1320's are too light. If it has the 0200 on a short mount without electrics then the 1320's will work but I would recommend the 1400's or bigger just because they seem to do better.

[fearofpavement]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

No we don't have the long mount, electrics, or gross weight increase. The engine mount has a one inch spacer at the firewall and then a bit more between the mount and engine for a total of maybe an inch and a half or so. I think the long mount is several inches? (not sure)

[Forrest Barber]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

The long mount is 4 inches longer, the STC shows how to merely make a four in extension to the lower cowl with a nicely riveted "joggle" , replace the top lids with longer ones and away you go.
I will be learning all about this addition of an 0-200 to a BC12D soon. When it is done to a D model ( L2M) with closed cowl , the engine mount was made shorter by about 7/8ths maybe a full inch. I will be checking. Dick Huish ? help!

[Buck]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

There is someone in Canada selling 0-200 Taylorcrafts on floats...I believe they put them on 1320s. I'll try to find that site again and post it here. Maybe they can answer some of your questions.

Best,

Buck

[Buck]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

Found it!

http://www.dougronan.com/mitchell%20tcart.htm

[jdoran]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

Buck,

I have a F-19 (100hp O-200) on Aqua 1500 floats. I don't have much experience flying other Tcrafts on floats to compare it to, but I will tell you the 1500's provide great performance on the water.

They are huge compared to 1320's, and I really like the additional storage in the floats. There is a big hinged acces cover to keep anchors, lines, gas cans, etc in.

The plane performs great with 100hp. I think the 1500's get up on step faster, and are more forgiving if you land off the "sweet spot" on the floats.
I fly an honest 100mph at 2250 rpm.

My advice? Definitely put her on floats, and see if you can find something bigger than 1320's, but they work good if you can't find anything bigger. I'll bet a set of used 1500's cost less than a set of used 1320 EDO's.

Have fun!!!

John

[gcgilpin]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

Did you use EDO rigging to attach the floats? Or do you need Baumann rigging?

Do a search on Baumann floats. I just purchased a set of Baumann BF1500 last year and the have the added floataion you may be looking for. Call Joe Birkemeyer at Baumann at (715)246-9352 he has flown my 85hp T-craft on the new BF1500's quite a bit, so he'll be very helpful. I love them...and certification is pending...should be done early this spring. See Pictures HERE

[Dano"T"]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

Baumann uses their own rigging on the floats...but they were designed to hook up to Edo style fuselage fittings. They manufactured my clamp on rear attach fittings, but they will fit up the floats to your airframe if there are subtle differences I'm sure. The going price for a set of BF1500's is $15,500 includes all rigging, hatches, pumpouts, pump etc. That may be a little expensive until you look at a set of Edos for 10 or 12K....then you MIGHT have to buy rigging for your specific plane....2000 to 2500 bucks...then hope that the 60 year old floats don't need any work and make sure they don't leak etc...etc...it all influenced my decision to by new. Plus I got my floats quite a bit cheaper than list and got free installation for letting them use my plane for the flight test. So it was a no brainer for me at least.

[Dan Dahl]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

I am looking for information from those who have operating experience with Taylorcrafts on floats. We have a 100hp BC-12D and are thinking of using it on the Amazon. It is currently set up for Edo 1320's but I have gotten some info that those floats may be inadequate for the 100hp set up. I am not sure if other larger floats are approved for the BC-12D. I don't think it has the full model 19 conversion. It was an in house STC that we did for the engine in the mid 90's. I have float experience but unfortunately none is in a Taylorcraft so I am seeking others opinions. The plane is on wheels presently but has been flown on the 1320's. The person that would have the info I am seeking is deceased and I am left with questions. Thanks.

Hello There!
Maybe I can shed some light on your situation> I have a BC-12D with a F-19conversion sitting on 1320's. I do think they are enough of a float. I've loaded mine to where the back spreader bars are under the water and I've still gotten off okay. I was told one time there is no perfect float. The 1320's get off the water really well. However if you are loaded up and are turning with a strong downwind, you could swamp the downwind float. They may be marginal when you load it up completely full, but otherwise they work great. They are light and they get off the water well. I've witnessed 100hp taylorcrafts on 1400's that didn't perform as well. The aqua 1500's might be an option, but then again, you're adding quite a bit of weight as well. I know of one on PK 1800's, they overfloat you but again are heavier. I've many times had a passenger, full fuel(both wing tanks and nose tank full) and about 60-70 pounds of gear and gotten off the water in good time. I think that has a lot to do with the 1320's getting off the water better than other floats. I love this stuff so if you have other questions either write or call: 1=907-438-2199, or 438-2119.

[dedrekon]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

The Aqua 1500's are a great float.......I just sold the set off my F19 conversion to a guy in AK. They're fast off the water, easy to land and really handle the load well....big storage bin too.
I don't know what the Edo's weigh, but the Aqua's are 100 lbs each....the Edo's couldn't be much lighter than that. I got my float rating years ago in a Chief on 1320's and they are a great float, they truly are the gold standard for Cubs, Champs, Taylorcraft and their ilk, but the newer floats like Aqua and Baumann work great and if you need the extra displacement, they would probably work better.
One minor caution on the Aqua's...the Taylorcraft rigging is 'shorter" than Edo rigging and the prop will wear a little more, although mine with a couple hundred water hours was just fine.


Vincent

[Dano"T"]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

Aqua 1500 have a 250Lbs Installed weight. Edo 1320's range from 165 to 185lbs depending on 1 or 2 water rudder's and misc extra's, Baumann's are 197lbs actual installed weight including all rigging and fittings. You are right on the Aqua's...each float weighs 100lbs....but that does not include rigging. That is right from the guy at Aqua floats.....he told me 250# installed....Don't get me wrong, they are a great float and from what I'm told they are a little more durable than some of the others....but 50+ pounds heavier than Baumann and 70+ lbs more than Edo 1320's....thats a big difference.

[fearofpavement]

Re: BC-12D 100hp on floats

Thanks all for the good info on my float questions. Regarding the responses, we do have the short mount and it is not the model 19 conversion so technically the Aqua 1500's are not an approved float for the BC-12D. That is an issue in Brazil where the plane is headed. The plane has already been on Edo 1320's and we have the floats and rigging available that was on the craft previously. Now that the Bauman floats are approved for the T-craft as of a couple days ago that opens an option that wasn't available as of the time of the original posting.

Our intention has been to send the plane down married to the 1320's unless someone doesn't forever hold their peace...

I realize that float size is always a trade off with performance (ok, usually, not always) but I want to be sure I don't send our missionaries something that isn't safe. I have been unable to get any data on how the plane performed previously. I did talk to someone that has flown the 100hp with the long mount on 1320's and they thought it was scary.

I think we'll be ok with the 1320's and the short mount (and original gross weight) but everyone's advice is welcomed and appreciated. I was out of town for a while and this thread was going on without me but I have a chance to catch up this evening while I am pressure canning some venison chili.