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Floats for Kitfox II

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Ken Potter

Joined: 18 Aug 2007
Posts: 85
Location: Lanark, Ontario

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:16 am Post subject: Floats for Kitfox II

Hi Folks;



I am considering purchasing a set of Full Lotus 1220's for my Kitfox II. Does anyone have experience with these floats on a Kitfox or any other comments.



Thanks in advance.



Ken

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dan(at)azshowersolutions.
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:17 am Post subject: Floats for Kitfox II

Ken, There is a cool You Tube video of a guy in Alaska  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foPn48ap46Y

   

  If this link doesn't work, go to You Tube and do a search for Lotus floats Kitfox.

  Dan

  Mesa, AZ

  KF-IV  Building...still



Ken Potter <kjpotter(at)sympatico.ca> wrote:

  [quote]--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Ken Potter" 



Hi Folks;



I am considering purchasing a set of Full Lotus 1220's for my Kitfox II. Does anyone have experience with these floats on a Kitfox or any other comments.



Thanks in advance.



Ken





Read this topic online [quote][b]

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akflyer

Joined: 07 May 2007
Posts: 574
Location: Soldotna AK

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Floats for Kitfox II

That was me in the vid... things I have learned.



The plane performs AWSOME single seat, or with 2 people and only 9 gallons of fuel.  If you are at gross weight you will need a bit of a head wind to get it on step.  The issue is the 1220's dont have enough flotation on the forward part of the float when you put the step far enough back on the plane to be able to get onto step easy.  As it is, we have compromised and you have to really shove the nose over with full down and lean forwards as far as you can to get her up on step at gross.



If you put the step far enough back under the plane, if you come off the power too quick you will take a little water over the nose of the floats.  I dont think it would ever dig enough to put you over, but it will get your attention if you are not ready for it.



I am going to see about getting a set of 1450 for it and that should solve all the problems.



If you have a 912 then it would be an issue cause you have the power to yank it on step no matter what.  With the 582 it is marginal at gross.

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_________________
DO NOT ARCHIVE
Leonard Perry aka SNAKE
Soldotna AK
Avid "C" / Mk IV
582 (147 hrs and counting on the rebuild)
IVO IFA
Full Lotus 1450
#1 snake oil salesman since 1-22-2009

I would rather die trying to live, than to live trying not to die....

davedawe(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:48 pm Post subject: Floats for Kitfox II

Ken my 1980 Kitfox ll came with Full Lotus C12'(used) C136 hours Cthey ripped open front top C1' long Creturned to Full Lotus in BC. CCanada for repair Cthey wouldn't repair Cwrite off CUV damaged the full lotus material. 

 	  Quote: 	
		   Subject: Floats for Kitfox II

 From: kjpotter(at)sympatico.ca

 Date: Mon C 28 Jul 2008 05:16:30 -0700

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Ken Potter" <kjpotter(at)sympatico.ca>

 Hi Folks;

 I am considering purchasing a set of Full Lotus 1220's for my Kitfox II. Does anyone have experience with these floats on a Kitfox or any other comments.

 Thanks in advance.

 Ken

 Read this topic online here:

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=195327#195327

&============

[quote] 

    	  Quote: 	
		  [b]

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akflyer

Joined: 07 May 2007
Posts: 574
Location: Soldotna AK

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: Floats for Kitfox II

it is a known fact that UV rays are harmful to the fabric.  That is why they have made the covers for them when not in use.  You can also use 303 UV blocker on them that was developed for rafts and zodiacs.  If you material was already trashed, there is no repair, just replacement.  That is the booger about buying used, you have no idea how the previous owner took care of them.  I beat the crap out of mine knowing that I will probably need a new set every 10 or 15 yrs.

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Ken Potter

Joined: 18 Aug 2007
Posts: 85
Location: Lanark, Ontario

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: Floats for Kitfox II

Thanks for the replies folks.  

Akflyer I have heard similar comments about performance at full gross from one of our EAA chapter members who has a similar Kitfox to mine.  While I do plan to upgrade the engine (probably to a Jabiru 2200) it won't be until daughter # 2 completes college in 5 years. Anyways, the search for floats continues.  



A couple of weeks ago I just missed a set of Zenair (Czech) 950 amphibs on Barnstormers.com.   My calculations show that 950's would be enough for a Kitfox II however these seem small in comparison to other peoples experience.  Does anyone have any experience with floats other than Full Lotus???



Cheers and thanks in advance

Ken Potter

Kitfox II  

Rotax 582 C box

98% complete

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akflyer

Joined: 07 May 2007
Posts: 574
Location: Soldotna AK

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: Floats for Kitfox II

We originally flew my brothers KF II on a set of Northstar clones that were scaled down and built with fiberglass.  I did a 3D model of them and they showed about 880# each.  They did OK until one of them took on a little water and got the foam heavy.  They would get you out of the water quicker than the full lotus, but one little bump and they took on water.. 



I would much rather have too much float than not enough.  I saw a set of zenair 1150 on barnstormers that look good.  Also a set of puddle jumpers that would be great if you only want to play on water.  I like the ruggedness of the full lotus and will take the hit on performance for safety.  I am biased as I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I owe my life to a set of them.  Without 16 airbags under me I would have been planted in a frozen field.

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