Fuel options for straight float Cross Country; ME-MN
Information and discussion about seaplanes, float planes, and water operations.
Wed Aug 13, 2025 10:35 am
Asking the brain trust to see what there are for fuel options (seaplane bases or airports by water) for a cross country from Maine to Minnesota? The standard route would send me through Canada and while I'm not opposed I would like to see what options there are along the route staying in the US. Thanks in Advance!
-
mainebushpilot offline

-
Posts:
4
- Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:19 pm
- Location: Ely
- Aircraft: DHC-2 Beaver & PA-18 Super Cub
-
Fri Aug 15, 2025 10:29 am
Also curious. What's the standard route? And what's your airplane and it's range?
-
soyAnarchisto offline


-
Posts:
1975
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:23 pm
- Location: Boulder, CO
- Aircraft: 1955 Cessna 180
-
If you're an SPA member, look at their Seaplane Base data. I doubt that routing would be that difficult, but I'm betting Canada would be shorter/easier.
-
mtv offline


-
Posts:
10514
- Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:47 am
- Location: Bozeman
-
Several NY float guys here, maybe be they’ll chime in.
-
Zzz offline


-
Posts:
2854
- Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:09 pm
- Location: northern
- Aircraft: Swiveling desk chair
-
Half a century spent proving “it is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
As a SPA member for several years now, and I have to admit using their tools to plan a cross country leads me to believe they are pretty clueless about how to build tools to support planning such endeavors.
-
soyAnarchisto offline


-
Posts:
1975
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:23 pm
- Location: Boulder, CO
- Aircraft: 1955 Cessna 180
-
mainebushpilot wrote:Asking the brain trust to see what there are for fuel options (seaplane bases or airports by water) for a cross country from Maine to Minnesota? The standard route would send me through Canada and while I'm not opposed I would like to see what options there are along the route staying in the US. Thanks in Advance!
Fuel available in Kingston, NY. RON is also available at our dock. DM for specifics.
TR
-
TR offline

-
Posts:
150
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2023 10:08 am
- Location: Hudson Valley
- Aircraft: PA-18A
C-180H
DHC-2
G-164 Ag Cat
-
soyAnarchisto wrote:Also curious. What's the standard route? And what's your airplane and it's range?
Shortest route is straight across through Canada. Planning on keeping it in the US for this flight since it'll be my first long flight with the plane (C180). As far as range and such I'm still working on the numbers form previous flights I had done with the plane to gauge that.
-
mainebushpilot offline

-
Posts:
4
- Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:19 pm
- Location: Ely
- Aircraft: DHC-2 Beaver & PA-18 Super Cub
-
I played around with airportpicker.com and found some seaplane bases that might work. Caveat... I'm just sitting at home on my couch. I haven't flown to any of these. Phone calls would be prudent. I just put in a route from MSP to TOL to BGR, checked the box that said "isolate water" and selected "search 30 mile radius"......
KMSP 11C 2C9 E75 K03 KBGR
There seems to be a cluster of seaplane bases about 30 north of Ft. Wayne.... C67, IN2, 7J4, O1E, I58, .... there must be some seaplane activity in that area.
-
kg offline


-
Posts:
481
- Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:56 am
- Location: Murfreesboro
- Aircraft: Cessna 180J
-
There aren’t many seaplane bases once you leave Maine.
Helm’s in Long Lake, NY. NY9
Better check ahead, I heard they’re pulling the fuel tank late summer
Paynes Seaplanes Seventh Lake, NY
I can help near Penn Yan, NY KPEO,
if I’m around
Moving west, I have list of marinas in PA and MI if you can use auto fuel. LMK
-
aqua offline

-
Posts:
237
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:43 pm
- Location: NY
I will be driving through Long Lake Thursday, I will see if they still have fuel. Their blue 206 was there a few weeks ago when I flew over.
Pete
-
pburns offline


-
Posts:
475
- Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2012 4:05 pm
- Location: Adirondack Mt's
- Aircraft: Champ 7AC
-
It didn’t look like there was a fuel tank at Helm’s in Long Lake. I didn’t stop, since I was towing a canoe trailer, but am pretty sure it’s not there. I might be flying that direction later today , if so I’ll take a look from the air.
Pete
-
pburns offline


-
Posts:
475
- Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2012 4:05 pm
- Location: Adirondack Mt's
- Aircraft: Champ 7AC
-
DISPLAY OPTIONS
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests