Finally on floats

[cropduster]

Pics on my F-21 at the Baumann float factory in New Richmond, Wisc.

[Pearson]

Re: Finally on floats

I can't get the pictures to enlarge. Check it out.

[cropduster]

Re: Finally on floats

Here's another try.

[cropduster]

Re: Finally on floats

1280 pounds full fuel.

[Pearson]

Re: Finally on floats

That sure is pretty. I bet it cost a pretty penny too. But that will be a great feeling when you are floating on top of the water knowing everything is factory fresh.

[cropduster]

Re: Finally on floats

Yea, but with the early order program Baumann had last fall of ordering before Dec. 1 and putting 20% down, it only cost $5,000 more than what some people were asking for floats that were 50 to 60 years old? Go figure.

[MNJoe]

Re: Finally on floats

If you have not taken it home yet stop by Surfside Seaplane base in Lino Lakes and check out the other seaplanes. You will see three other T-Craft

Joe

[cropduster]

Re: Finally on floats

Joe, We brought it home last Wednesday. We flew right over the top of Lino Lakes on our way home. Would have been fun to see the other t-crafts. We landed on a lake near Perhum, MN and put on fuel, then landed on Detroit Lakes, and stayed in one of the Hotels right on the lake there. Actually the pic of the t-craft on the water was taken right out of our room window with it on the lake. Maybe next time.

[T-Rex]

Re: Finally on floats

Cropdster, T-Rex also lives at surfside. If you come through again stop by and if it's during the week I'll be in the shop working. I'm not on floats yet, have to replace about 3 feet of bottom on my 1320's , new keel, and chine on both sides. Hopefully I'll be done in about a month or so. So do you get a higher gross wt. on wheels, 1750? And are you limited to 1500 on the Baumann's. I think those are the best performing float. I fly a 172 with 2550's and it is awesome. Joe's t-craft on the older 1420's is a great performer. Nice big rudders and hatch compartments, I'd better stop I'm drooling on my keyboard. Happy Flying.
Brad

[cropduster]

Re: Finally on floats

Brad, I annualed the F-21 the middle of April, and had my mechanic try and find out if I could do the 1750 gross wt. increase. He said he couldn't find anything for the F-21.. My son is 170 lbs. and i'm 195, so we will be 1650 with full fuel. We will never be full fuel though, unless we deceide to take a trip to Lino Lakes,. We are hangered at the Devils Lake, ND airport, but we will not be operating on that lake. It is HUGE, about like trying to find a nice day to land on the Great Lakes. We have a cabin in northern ND called the Turtle Mountains, were the International Peace Gardens with Canada is. It is beautiful with about 50 or so smaller lakes for us to play on. It is ND's best kept seceret I think.

[cropduster]

Re: Finally on floats

Brad, I did a lot of research last fall before I purchased my floats. I would like to have put on composite floats, but none were certified, and also wern't any advantage as far as weight. I had it narrowed down to the Aquas and the Baumann's , and both facatilities were close to me, but they couldn't install the Aquas at the factory for me, and they were 50 lbs heavier. I also have a BC-12D that is just completing a 6 year complete restoration, with a lot of mods, such as toe brakes, converted seat ( not a sling ) and an 85hp stroker. I haven't deceided if I will put that on floats also, or leave it on wheels. I also have a beautiful Skylane I want to put on Baumann anphibs in a couple of years. My son flew with Joe Birkmier, at the Baumann factory last week in a 180hp skylane on Baumann anphibs, and he said it was a rocket with just two of them.

[N96337]

Re: Finally on floats

Cropduster.... you don't happen to know a mechanic in the Devils Lake area by the name of Jewel Thibbadeau do you? (not sure on the spelling) I went to A&P school with him in Fargo a long time ago......

The main advantage to any of the composite floats is strength. We had Aerocets on our 185 in WA and they were about indestructable!!! No aluminum float would have stood up to the beating that those things shrugged off..... and I swear they got off the water quicker too.... I was totally skeptic when we got them, and totally convinced by the time we sold the plane!!
John

[cropduster]

Re: Finally on floats

John, No, I don't think I've ever heard of him around there, but then I've only been hanging around the Devils Lake airport since 1993. He may have been there before me. I actually own one of the FBO's there called DL Aviation, and our mechanic had health problems a year ago and we have no mechanic on the field at all right now. If you know of anybody looking for an excellent opportunity to own his own business, there is so much work here, he would be able to turn down what he doesn't want to do. And there is also economic developement money here to give him to help him set up shop, such as buying tools, etc. Spread the word.
I think I will look seriously at composites for my next set of floats. Mark

[Dano"T"]

Re: Finally on floats

That T-Craft on floats is a thing of beauty...

[N96337]

Re: Finally on floats

Thanks Mark...he'd have been there in the late 70's-mid 80's....not sure just where he ended up.
Have fun on those floats...you've sure got the area to do it!!
JH