Please give me suggestions for a four seat seaplane that can be operated safely on a 1400 ft lake at 600 MSL with only a pilot and half a tank.
Yes, I know there are tons of variables to consider. But in general?

How wide of a lake?

Trees?

Not sure if you want to build… But Zane has that big motor bear Hawk for sale… half tanks and alone it would rip on floats. Will do everything you need, and carry a butload.

Would a Maule make it?

1400 ft. lake? That's more like a pond/slough around here. Are there trees around it, or is it open and clear on approach/landing? Seems a bit small unless you have power to spare. All my float time is in 2-seaters so really can't give any suggestions. Will like to hear what others recommend.

I'm sure MTV will give you some good advice as he has lots of SES time. You could also contact Brian at Adventure Seaplanes and query him. Just visited him yesterday at his home and he is getting ready for the summers float training/flying season here in MN. Great guy and full of info.

stinsoner wrote:Would a Maule make it?

I’d be hesitant to do it in my 185F not even fully loaded, especially if it was not wide enough to get some speed in the turn on the water

All admit I do have some long floats

The floats in question have nearly as much bearing on the answer than does the airplane.

A big engine (235 or better) Maule should do this, assuming some appropriate technique on the part of the driver, of course. Aqua floats, Wip Floats or Baumanns. Maybe others.

My old 180 hp Cessna 170 on PK B2300 could do it as well. That combination would test the pilot, however. Go get a LOT of practice getting those floats out of the water FIRST.

A 180 hp 172 might do it, again on the right floats.....Wip 2150/Baumanns, etc.

Might be a little tight, but an Aeronca Sedan with 180 hp on EDO 2000s might do it.

As others have suggested, if the lake is "roundish", or fairly wide, you may be able to perform a turning takeoff, which is safer. A 1400 foot takeoff straight ahead leaves NO options if it's not working......up on the bank. And, with ANY of those airplanes, conditions will have to be just about right, and the pilot will have to be shit hot, EVERY takeoff to make it work.

MTV