Need opinions on whether to go with 2870s or 2960s on a Cessna 182 P model with SPW float kit.
Reading through all the opinions on these 2 floats it seems the 2870s are better on a lighter weight 180 or 182.
And the consensus seems to be that the 2960s fly off differently but handle rough water better..
The current prices seem to be about the same, 8000-10000 for "decent" and 4000-6000 for "fair".
But again most is written for the lighter weight airplanes. I am leaning toward 2960s since the airplane will be heavier and will likely be operated at near gross weight in larger lakes. The XP 470 I am having built up should give enough power.

Thoughts?

2870. More fun/easier to fly, slightly better performance off the water, slightly lighter.

I believe you’re limited to a max gross of 2950, even with wing-x, so you’re plenty floated with either type.

I’ve found that 2870 are more expensive, especially if you’re comparing float condition. There’s a lot of clapped out 2960 out there.

I think I'd go the 2870s, I've used the 2960s and they're alright but they have some drawbacks. The only difference is a hokey little compartment tacked on to the back, not sure how much difference it actually makes floating the plane. It does however make it so you have to wait for 2960s to fly off whereas I'm told you can rotate off with the 2870s. The 2870s limit the legal max gross to 2850 lbs. Personally I've just put on a set of CAP 3000s and I like them a lot better than 2960s. If you want a set of real cheap but repairable 2960s I have some.

Fraser Farmer wrote: It does however make it so you have to wait for 2960s to fly off whereas I'm told you can rotate off with the 2870s..

Is that because the length is just added to the tail end, not proportionally, and so trying to horse it off just digs longer heels in and adds water drag?

Zzz wrote:

Fraser Farmer wrote: It does however make it so you have to wait for 2960s to fly off whereas I'm told you can rotate off with the 2870s..

Is that because the length is just added to the tail end, not proportionally, and so trying to horse it off just digs longer heels in and adds water drag?

Yes.

MTV

Zzz wrote:

Fraser Farmer wrote: It does however make it so you have to wait for 2960s to fly off whereas I'm told you can rotate off with the 2870s..

Is that because the length is just added to the tail end, not proportionally, and so trying to horse it off just digs longer heels in and adds water drag?

Yes, exactly, they added only to the tails of what were otherwise a well designed set of floats. Once you've realized not to try to pull up though they don't really take that long to fly off.

Think the extension is 18”. I’ve a set of 2960’ that need re-skinning. Will convert to 2780’s by taking off that last bay....will be for my experimental.


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Fraser Farmer wrote:I think I'd go the 2870s, I've used the 2960s and they're alright but they have some drawbacks. The only difference is a hokey little compartment tacked on to the back, not sure how much difference it actually makes floating the plane. It does however make it so you have to wait for 2960s to fly off whereas I'm told you can rotate off with the 2870s. The 2870s limit the legal max gross to 2850 lbs. Personally I've just put on a set of CAP 3000s and I like them a lot better than 2960s. If you want a set of real cheap but repairable 2960s I have some.

Max legal gross for a 182P on 2870 or 2960 with the seaplanes west a STC is 2950, not 2850. With the wing-x, 550, and areocets you can go up to 3100

Halestorm wrote:

Fraser Farmer wrote:I think I'd go the 2870s, I've used the 2960s and they're alright but they have some drawbacks. The only difference is a hokey little compartment tacked on to the back, not sure how much difference it actually makes floating the plane. It does however make it so you have to wait for 2960s to fly off whereas I'm told you can rotate off with the 2870s. The 2870s limit the legal max gross to 2850 lbs. Personally I've just put on a set of CAP 3000s and I like them a lot better than 2960s. If you want a set of real cheap but repairable 2960s I have some.

Max legal gross for a 182P on 2870 or 2960 with the seaplanes west a STC is 2950, not 2850. With the wing-x, 550, and areocets you can go up to 3100

That's interesting. I had always thought that the 2870s legally limited you to 2850, regardless of mods beyond that, because of buoyancy. For example my 180 has WingX which gives the plane an upgross to 2950, but I had always understood that running 2870s would nullify that upgross because the floats are only rated for 2850lbs of buoyancy. Is the 182 somehow different in that respect or had I misunderstood.

My understanding is that a set of 2870s can handle a GW of 3188 lbs.
2870 x 2 / 1.8= 3189
I had a reference somewhere that said the buoyancy of a 2870 was actually a little more than 2870 lbs.

Probably moot at this point since I think I finally found a local set of 2960s in good shape at a reasonable price.

PNW Flyer wrote:My understanding is that a set of 2870s can handle a GW of 3188 lbs.
2870 x 2 / 1.8= 3189
I had a reference somewhere that said the buoyancy of a 2870 was actually a little more than 2870 lbs.

Probably moot at this point since I think I finally found a local set of 2960s in good shape at a reasonable price.

Here’s the reference, a little ways into chapter 2: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policie ... 3-23-2.pdf

Not sure if it’s the same rule in Canada.