Aqua FLoats

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DHC2eater
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Aqua FLoats

Post by DHC2eater »

Does anyone have any experience with Aqua 3190's and would they mind commenting on them?
Pos or negatives,weight etc.

Thanks
Eater
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Antique Pilot
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Re: Aqua FLoats

Post by Antique Pilot »

D,

I have some experience with them on a 185. Thank goodness I got a good checkout. They were very easy to dig even in good conditions. And the digging was quite violent. I wouldn't want them.
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What'sHisName
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Re: Aqua FLoats

Post by What'sHisName »

I had the same experience as Antique Pilot... Very very easy to dig. They're quite nice for loading the plane cause they have flat tops, but you definitely have to pay attention during landing.
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aqua
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Re: Aqua FLoats

Post by aqua »

I have these floats on a Pponk powered 180, and like them.

When I bought them I learned that the design changed at some point. The early ones had the more pronounced "digging in" characteristic. Mine are '96 or '99 models, can't recall. These are the later design. I'd say they would be somewhat more prone to digging in than the 2870s they replaced, but nothing significant.

They steer great, take rough water great, have big flat tops and large hatches. Really like the buoyancy improvement over the 2870s. Quite fast in the air, we cruise at 135mph, as high as 140, with the big engine.

I think they're particularly well sized for 180s with the various engine mods. they may be too big for a stock 180, too small for a 185 with wingx,etc.
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Antique Pilot
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Re: Aqua FLoats

Post by Antique Pilot »

That makes sense. The 3190's I flew were probably early 1970's vintage.
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Just One
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Re: Aqua FLoats

Post by Just One »

I used 3190's for 7 years on a C-185 in a commercial operation. I didn't notice any tendency for 'digging'. They were really stable in crosswinds and bigger lake water, where I felt that the CAP float would wander and not stay as straight on take-off. I much preferred the flat tops for loading and maneuvering to grab ropes on the way to the dock. The only drawback I found was that they were a bit heavier than other comparable aluminum floats.

PM me if you're looking to buy a set.
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aqua
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Re: Aqua FLoats

Post by aqua »

As to the weight...had my 2870s weighed once, 435 lbs. apparently50 years of patches, sealant, paint, adds up.

Cheers
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aqua
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Re: Aqua FLoats

Post by aqua »

And they were supposed to weigh 392(something like that) on paper
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DHC2eater
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Re: Aqua FLoats

Post by DHC2eater »

Thanks for all your input......

I just received a call from Terry at Aqua.....

They are in business just north if LAkeland FLorida...

He says new 3190's are 420 lbs

EAter
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rigpiggy
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Re: Aqua FLoats

Post by rigpiggy »

anybody have experience with the 2400's for a pa-14 replica?
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