skywagon8a
MEMBER
SE Mass MA6
While we are on the subject, here is reason #3.
The only difference between the EDO 1650 and 2000 floats is 23 3/8" in length. All of which is forward of the step. An additional 8" made them 2130s.
In rough water, the ability to remain on the step is effected by the length of the forward section of the float in relationship to the distance between the wave tops. Primarily the flat section of the keel between the step and the location where it starts to curve upward to the bow. Also the optimum angle between the keel and the water surface while on the step is approximately 8 degrees.
With that in mind the 2000 floats can remain on the step with the wave tops being 2 feet further apart than the 1650s. When the waves are too far apart but also higher than just a few inches, on 1650s the plane would climb up one side of the wave and down the other. As you can imagine, if the airplane does not change it's pitch attitude the angle of the bottom of the floats to the water changes considerably depending on the shape of the waves. From minimum drag angle to maximum drag angle and back again. Low power and short floats just can not overcome these obstacles.
I had a friend with a homebuilt (Acey-Ducy) 100 hp on 1650 floats. He had trouble getting off in rough water because it kept falling off the step between the waves. This because that 8 degrees disappeared between the waves so it had to start over. We solved his issue by making a new longer set of wings to reduce stall speed and added 50 hp to the nose. Now it had the power to jump from wave top to wave top. But it still had a float/wave issue which the engine and wing were more able to overcome.
The only difference between the EDO 1650 and 2000 floats is 23 3/8" in length. All of which is forward of the step. An additional 8" made them 2130s.
In rough water, the ability to remain on the step is effected by the length of the forward section of the float in relationship to the distance between the wave tops. Primarily the flat section of the keel between the step and the location where it starts to curve upward to the bow. Also the optimum angle between the keel and the water surface while on the step is approximately 8 degrees.
With that in mind the 2000 floats can remain on the step with the wave tops being 2 feet further apart than the 1650s. When the waves are too far apart but also higher than just a few inches, on 1650s the plane would climb up one side of the wave and down the other. As you can imagine, if the airplane does not change it's pitch attitude the angle of the bottom of the floats to the water changes considerably depending on the shape of the waves. From minimum drag angle to maximum drag angle and back again. Low power and short floats just can not overcome these obstacles.
I had a friend with a homebuilt (Acey-Ducy) 100 hp on 1650 floats. He had trouble getting off in rough water because it kept falling off the step between the waves. This because that 8 degrees disappeared between the waves so it had to start over. We solved his issue by making a new longer set of wings to reduce stall speed and added 50 hp to the nose. Now it had the power to jump from wave top to wave top. But it still had a float/wave issue which the engine and wing were more able to overcome.