I don't have any personnel amphibious experience, but several hangar neighbors and friends have floatplanes. One recently put his 206 on amphibs. And the installed price was about $155AMUs
I don't see that much added to existing 206s on floats. like anything aviation, better to let someone else do the work and pay the price. Then buy it on the big discount. Much better value.

Greg

Another thing to consider is corrosion protection.

If memory serves Cessna added additional corrosion treatment to aircraft coming off the line slated to mate w floats.

I would go for Aerocet, no leak and no corrosion. They are very slick also so could be faster in cruise if compared against the 3450 or 3730s.
Wip 3000s are smaller so limited to 3400 ibs I believe on floats on the C185.
On other floats you can go to 3550 gross with Art wingX or 3600 with Flint tips.








Preference Wipline vs Aerocet?

The C206 can be costly if it didnt came with a float kit. On some planes you need to change the rudder and prop. Also some owners will install a copilot door from Wip as the 206 does not have a right door, some stol kit and wings extensions, it all adds up.
A stock 206 is not a good performer on floats, especially amphibs.
Like you said get one already converted with all the mod.

If I remember the problem your friend had is he didnt flew the plane in the US first and then deregister it, was the N registration done in Canada?

I imported a Baron 58 in 30 days and my TBM took 3 weeks to get a registration and C of A. I did the work in my hangar with my AME and TC delegate. I had to get a maintenance program approved for the TBM and TC guy said it might take 1-2 months to get it approved, I got it in 3 days.

Both planes were flown under N registry in Canada and then deregistered here, thats the best way to do it.

IIRC, it had never been N registered. There was some specific reason, which I can't recall, why he couldn't just do what you describe. I'm pretty sure it had to do with the STC's, which were legion. The selling broker assured him it was no big deal to get a C-registered airplane into the US. "We do it all the time," they said, which is why I react strongly (not un-educatedly) to claims that importation is always a cake walk.

OTOH, if you have your heart set on an amphibious 172, there aren't many N-registered options.

Searay is attractive too

Have you considered a Lake? Either the Buccaneer or Renegade are amphibs that will fit into a standard T-hangar, and in my opinion rather undervalued.

Food for thought on buying on floats vs buying and adding floats. If acquiring an airframe to add floats make sure the airframe you're going to add them to is reasonably ready, such as with most Cessna's they will require a float kit. It's not impossible to install a float kit, but rather costly. Also, check with your favorite float manufacturer and see what the lead time is to get a set of floats? Don't assume wipaire or aerocet has the model you need sitting ready to install. I found this out earlier this year while putting my Husky on floats.

Buying an airplane already equipped with floats will likely be a lower price to acquire, but if it was a working airplane, be prepared and expect to find some repairs and expect to do some to keep them floating etc. If you add in some realistic 1st couple years repair amounts into your acquisition amount you may find the spread between new and used narrowing. If you have the ability and time to do your own Maint then buying a plane already equipped will likely be the lower cost route. However if you will be relying on a shop to do any work that comes up, be prepared to for the reality that comes with that.

I decided to buy a young airframe and put it on new floats. I couldn't find the airframe with the features I wanted already on floats, but had plenty of "wheeled" examples to choose frome. Then I discovered that wipaire needs about 6 mos to get you a set and get them installed. They were able to do some horse trading for me on availability and was able to get me set up in 2 mos instead of 6, so that all worked out great for me, but it could have been a long summer.

Good luck!

Excellent feedback all

The wing extension mod for a 172 is approved in Canada, but not USA. If you buy a Canadian registered aircraft with this mod and wish to register it in the USA, the mod will have to be removed. At least that is what I gather from reading elsewhere. That is the only one that I know of. Otherwise it is a matter of the proper paperwork. (all aircraft have that.. don't they?)

I'd rather have:

http://www.shearwateraircraft.com

The new version if the hydro ski works as advertised. The first plane my wife saw and went: Want!

Bonus, it's a V Tail. Now if they could only build the darn thing...

The guy that owned my Cherokee 235 before I purchased it, Bill Husa had enginieered a very interestiing single turbine amphib named Privateer. Bill passed away before the project was fully funded. It is moving again now, see attached.

http://www.privateerindustries.com/aboutus.php

If any of you west coast folks are interested in upgrading your ratings look up my old freind Jim McCloud at Foothilll Aviation. You will not find a more enthusiastic aviation professional.

http://www.google.com/url?url=http://ww ... bexRhHhEQt