Cardiff Kook
PATRON
Sisters, OR
Ballpark is all I am looking for.
And how much ballpark are amphib floats?
Early education phase.
And how much ballpark are amphib floats?
Early education phase.
Somewhere between old Ebbets Field and Fenway Park.
Web
I used to do a lot of these. It took me 80 hours to do a complete assembly and installation of new EDO amphibs on a 185. When done at EDO's local installer they allowed a flat rate 120 hours for the job. A first time installer takes more time than one who has done it before. You should figure at least 100 hours of labor at shop rates. This assumes there has not been any other modifications done to the airplane which need to be worked around.
You should budget $100k +/- for a new set installed. These floats are excellent and are built near where you live. https://aerocet.com
Probably, I didn't want to scare him off too badly. I remember selling a new set installed for $25k. Those were the days. 8)I think you are low on the cost estimate for a new set.
And, as Stewart pointed out, if you think tailwheel insurance rates are high, an insurance quote on an amphibian, especially for a low time float pilot, may bring tears to your eyes…..
MTV
That would depend on what make and model of amphibs the plumbing is intended for. Also how much of the plumping is included? Does it include all the electric pump, wiring, hand pump etc? You would be committing yourself to whatever floats were on it before for the plumbing for it to have any value. I'd place zero $+/- value on the plumbing. Is it an old style with an engine driven pump? That should be removed when the floats are not installed to protect the pump.So I am trying to figure out if being "plumbed for amphibs" is a plus. if it is a plus, and assumming I would like to maybe put amphibs on it, what $ value should I assign to "plumbed for amphibs" over a similarly equipped plane not "plumbed for amphibs." What $ amount does it potentially increase the resale value?
So yea, that's what is pin balling in my head.
It is similar between the different models of floats, yet it must be specific for that particular model in order to comply with the appropriate STC or TC approval.Now a picture of things is coming together. I didn’t realize the plumbing was specific to the floats
Yep- please dont misinterpret my desire to learn quickly as a desire to act quickly. I would say the relationship is inverse. I guess time will tell.
Thanks for all the info.
I am not trying to be critical, but more often than not, directly asking the specific question MAY get the answer you’re looking for quicker. No offense intended.
MTV
I used to do a lot of these. It took me 80 hours to do a complete assembly and installation of new EDO amphibs on a 185. When done at EDO's local installer they allowed a flat rate 120 hours for the job. A first time installer takes more time than one who has done it before. You should figure at least 100 hours of labor at shop rates. This assumes there has not been any other modifications done to the airplane which need to be worked around.
You should budget $100k +/- for a new set installed. These floats are excellent and are built near where you live. https://aerocet.com
Of all the amphibs available today, that would be my first choice for a 185.For what its worth- turns out the plane in question is plumbed for Aerocets.
of all the amphibs available today, that would be my first choice for a 185.
Lots of good info above. I have wip's on my 185, I love them (fast) but I live in the land of crystal clear freshwater lakes. Wip's are a very close second to Aerocets and like Aerocet, they are fully supported. Not sure I'd proactively "plumb" or make a purchase decision based on having it or not because as others stated, there are a lot of variables, quality of work, STC's, etc... My guess is that you will spend at least $100k to do floats right and not cut corners or cobble.. wait, what does a set of new floats cost these days??
The insurance rates here in MN are reasonable; one reason is you can pro-rate the insurance when you drop the float coverage for the other six months of the year when we're tailwheel/skis.. Interestingly enough, off-airport / skis don't raise my insurance.