Anyone here own or operate one and if so, what's the good and the bad compared to the tradition pontoon planes?

My concern would be re-sale. They do go faster in flight than a traditional floatplane. For example, my Husky on amphibs with two peeps and whatever fuel I can lift will only do about 90kts, and I might be a bit generous. But my husky will get off the water in under 1000', pretty sure even the most powerful lake will consume at least twice that much distance breaking adhesion. Plus, docking is problematic with the low wing. You almost always have to beach them.

Realistically most of these aircraft are used as novelty items and going fast or getting out of tight spaces aren't high priority.

I'd do some research into getting maintenance done, as the Lakes, although not very complex, your typical A&P probably has never left their finger prints on one. Whereas a Cessna, Maul, Super Cub, or Husky, would be pretty usual stuff anywhere in the country for maint, and if you get tired of the floats, put the airplane back on its wheels.

My 2 cents.
I lusted for a Lake about 10yrs ago. The reality is they are an odd duck.

They're somewhat popular here in toronto. Lake central at muskoka airport (cyqa) sounds like the go-to lake shop. Might wanna call them

I would take a Searey any day of the week over a Lake, the Searey is a much better performing machine and a whole lot cheaper to own.

I have a friend that owned one before I got into flying so I have no first hand experience with the plane. But when I talk to him about the plane there was no love affair going on for the 6-7 years he owned it.

He put 2 engines in the plane, claiming it had cooling issues, and says the plane was always trying to kill him (was inherently less stable than his cessnas)

I can ask for more details next time I see him if you would better quality feedback than the hearsay I just laid out..

I've owned mine for 6 years and 500 hours. I have a 1982 LA-4-200 EP.

Pros:

For a 4 place amphib, their acquistion costs are lower than say a C-172 or C-182 on amphib floats. Most Buccaneers have a useful load of 880-900lbs.

I can cruise at 120 KIAS at 14 GPH, 105 KIAS 10GPH (ROP) or 92KIAS at 7GPH (LOP)

They fit in a standard T-Hangar and can be pushed into the hangar by hand.

Being a flying boat, they are more manuverable on the step than a float plane.

They have an active type club community of members that support each other, with annual get togethers in FL, Idaho & Canada.


Cons:

It is true that docks present a bit more of a challenge, but a Lake can be tied up to a corner of a dock with lines and not touch the dock!

They have unique characteristics and you need to get adequate training with a qualified Lake CFI before soloing a Lake.

There is nothing really cosmic about the systems in the Lake, but it's a good idea to get a pre-purchase inspection or first Annual with a shop that specializes in the Lake. Other than that, the engines are Lycomings and airframe parts are widely available.


Feel free to PM me with any questions or if you want to fly up to Bartow and fly one for yourself! I am a Lake insurance approved CFI.


Drew

The Lake "guru" lives up this way and is flying serial number 1 still, a Skimmer.

Good planes if they fit your mission.

Here's the Lake club info:


http://lakeamphibclub.com

I flew a Lake Renegade in the Indian Ocean back in the 80s. It was an air ambulance the Flying Swiss Ambulance. We did some extreme rough water takeoffs and landings. A number of times I would like to have aborted the TO, but since the throttle was on the roof I was unable to grab it to pull it off. It was a high maintenance airplane but then we were operating in the Ocean and commercial as well. As long as weight allowed I always tried to take the mechanic with us. If I remember correctly the plane with one person on board required ballast in the nose.

High acquisition though right?

One of my tenants just bought a brand new turbo Sea Rey.

It's very small, cockpit is cramped .
Only two place
Won't carry much
It's slow and underpowered.

Was hoping a friend that lurks here would say a little about his Seabee. Massively cool. Lots of noise, space, and has no problems with land, sea or air.

It's been in annual for a few months. . . . .

Make yourself a favor and stay away from the Lake.
Buy a Cessna 185 on amphibious floats.

I'll throw the Widgeon in the mix; you can likely get one cheaper than a Lake and it's a much better performing, safer and useful machine. The Widgeon performance is pretty awesome; it's like a Sea-Baron.

I agree that one could argue that a Widgeon is more useful than a Lake. Definitely in the area of useful load. Perhaps you have access to other used airplane ads, but I'm not aware of Widgeons being cheaper than Lakes. Also, it's not even close to an apples to apples comparison in type of aircraft and capabilities. I would love to own a Widgeon (especially with the IO-470s), but I can't afford the acquistion, operation and maintenance costs.

The Lake fits a specific mission: Affordable, inland waterway amphibian with a useful load equivalent of a piper warrior (and fits in a T-Hangar). Like all airplanes, it carries a degree of risk when you operate it. That risk can be mitigated with competent instruction, proper maintenance and careful operation.
It always seems that the folks that besmirch the Lake are the ones that have never owned one.