Hi, I'm looking for amphib float recommendations for an airborne xt 582 2-seater pusher trike. Landing/takeoff profile is sea around hawaii (don't intend to use in chop, but some serious long wave swell at times), lake / marsh (ideally marsh capable), and predominantly grass with occasional asphalt.

My current thinking, based partly on used market availability, leans toward either puddlejumpers (I think always amphib?) or full lotus w/ amphib setup, both of which seem fairly plentiful used.

MTOW is 1000lbs, and max empty weight is 550lbs, so for a 2-seater, weight is gonna be at a premium, particularly for flat water takeoffs.

It seems like there's lots of floats in the 1200lb (buoyancy?) range, and some for ultralights in the 900lb range, which I guess is not enough buoyancy? OTOH, with a pusher config, it feels like squeezing on the weight wouldn't be as big a deal. Set me straight if I'm wrong! Still all else being equal (its not: weight) I'd rather have too much buoyancy not too little, particularly for swell reasons.

Would I be crazy to put a pair of full lotus ampib 1260s on this? Is the weight going to fatal? What general size/etc should I be shooting for here?

Thanks, starting ignorant as always, happy to learn whatever anyone will teach!

Also, it seems like a water rudder would be essential for a pusher without a rudder mounted aft of the prop, right? Otherwise, I can't reckon how I'd steer the thing, I guess I could lean, but.....

Wish I could tell you something more useful. I like the idea of the Full Lotus construction. Looking forward to trying them at some point.

I guess you'd have to research what size dimensionally others have run on the XT. Does the design have upgross on floats?