Ok,
I am not a float rated pilot yet. This is a What if and how question really, so any insight from you real deals I would appreciate it.

Here in coastal South Carolina the waters are awesome. I dream of one day taxing up to a dinner or lunch to one of the many cool hang outs in Charleston. The obvious potiential obstacle to this is how airplane unfriendly the docks are built. I am not sure about coastal AK, but here there are huge pilings evenly spaced. I guess so the dock can be more hurricane proof and float with the tides.

In freshwater bodys of water, docks arent built with these kinds of pilings that I know of.
Would these pilings be a problem, or can you somehow nose the airplane up to the dock and have a person pull the rest of the plane to the dock with the ropes on the wings? something like that?
I just picture a hell of a impossible job, especially with a current, wings and floats can easily get bent up.
This is a beautiful area, and I cant help but picture taxing up to the dock for dinner, when everyone else has thier boats out.
Maybe thats the key, just pull along another moored boat and tie off to them like other boats do?

I have a float plane, but am not "the real deal", so the guys that fly floats for a living may have a different take. My thoughts are, if your intentions are to go into a place like in the picture, I could not imagine it. Too many places for things to go wrong, hard on the wings. Close confines, boat traffic and especially the wind are your main concerns. You can't just stop at will and most don't have reverse. As you stated, the pilings are way too high for your wings and don't give much room to work and I would be sceptical about tying up to a boat. Putting myself in that picture are what nightmares are made of. But if you could just will yourself in and out, it would be fun. Someone else can talk about salt water.

Hey Steve!!!
I agree with Steve. I have roughly 100hrs. on floats and I wouldn't even think of trying to go in there!!! Looks like an accident waiting to happen. Not much room to turn around and as Steve relays....lots of stuf to mess up your wings. A reversible prop might make things easier but you are kind of at the mercy of the currents and wind when on floats.
I absolutely love float flying. Can't see any flying better....still haven't gotten on skis yet so my mind is subject to change.
Another thing to consider is if it is even legal to have a seaplane there. We were station in GA a few years ago and that state sucks for being seaplane friendly. Not sure about SC though. I know Florida is very seaplane friendly.
WW

I've been in a similar scene with a friend in Louisiana at some oil rigs and also a restaurant at Golden Meadow. We were in a 185 on straight Edo floats and down there they have a section of car tire on the tip of each float. In the picture you show, you would head straight up to the small boat on the right side that is tied to the bigger one. I have to admit we never tied up to a fancy boat, just work boats. If you don't think the tire would mark the side of the boat then it would work fine. This picture isn't in a congested area but I have been along in some way tighter places.

All you can do is dream about taxing into a canal like that. Getting a float plane in and out of there WILL result in damage sooner or later. Remember, in a floatplane, you are a sailboat on the water. As soon as forward momentum is lost (motor off), you're going downwind. No neutral, no reverse. Either you are fast forward, or drifting downwind An floatplanes don't turn real well either at slow speeds if there is much of a breeze. They take a pretty wide radius. Put a 10mph breeze coming down that canal and I doubt you could get a plane turned in there without hitting something on the sides. I've always figured if you're going to damage a float plane, chances are very good its going to happen while docking.

I guess I must be an odd ball, but for me the attraction of a float plane is getting to places were all those boats can't go (need wings) and all the other airplanes can't go (need floats)

I will relate that during my float training my instructor had us land and taxi up to a fuel and lunch spot in between mead and havasu. There were bazzilion dollar boats all around, but I think more people were interested in the little old cub .

Take care, Rob

I have to agree with the nay sayers here. Granted, a VERY experienced, VERY proficient seaplane pilot might get in and out of there a few times without a problem, but even that person is going to be on the edge a good bit.

Nosing up to one of the skiffs tied to one of the bigger boats could work, but unless you know the person who owns both the skiff and the big boat, you might get shot for "damaging" the skiff, and/or crossing over the fancy boat to get to shore.

On several occasions, I got jammed up by weather in Kodiak, and had to hide out in a bay with a cannery. These areas are not nearly as tight as the one in the picture. In those cases, I couldn't tie to the cannery dock due to the pilings there, as in the picture here, only taller (26 foot tides in Kodiak) so had to breast up to fishing boats. These were generally 38 foot seiners, and working boats, used to having other boats breasted up to them, and more than prepared to help you come alongside. Very different scenario, and some risk even there, and a good bit of skill to come alongside without damage.

Course, as soon as I crawled out, in uniform with badge, they sometimes regretted their assistance... . Then they found I was a fed, not a state warden, and I got all the free coffee I wanted.

What's pictured here, I wouldn't even attempt, unless someone was paying me, they owned the airplane, and would take the responsibility, AND there was some really compelling reason to go there.

Dinner is NOT a compelling reason, in my opinion.

Poke around down there...I'm betting you'll find some places that might be more seaplane freindly.

Oh, and finally, ANY amount of wind while working in such confined quarters would make it a no go for sure.

MTV

We tied up to a boat and ate just south of the bridge here at Golden Meadow. Some tug boats pushing barges went by as we ate.

So far everyone has been polite and not mentioned the boats (or the boaters).

They are another unpredictable hazard. Add wakes to your reason for not going in there. Then add boaters that don't now your limitations. Then add an irritated boater or someone on a jet ski wanting to show you he can run circles about you.

GR

Yup,
You'all are proving my huntch right! bummer. There are other locations around the harbor that have more inviting mooring, including a new city recreational dock in Mt. Pleasant. But, still dealing with huge pilings, wind and current.

Saltwater as someone mentioned, wouldnt be such a concern as someone mentioned. I dont think atleast. I have a rather big friend who is a local A&P. he has me crawl into the far back of a Lake amphib when doing the annual to help complete some of the inspections. The lake sits for weeks at a time in the bahamas moored tot he owners sailboat. Its not recommmended thats for sure, but no big signs of corrosion damage as of yet.
If i owned a seaplane, i am picturing a cessna 140 or cub or stinsion 108. This is most likeley what I will purchase as my first plane when i return from Kuwait next year. Anyways, there a lots of freshwater rivers and lakes around here. Saltwater would probably be an exception, not the rule. With a good freshwater rinse afterwards.

You guys all haef ine tips and points! I just thought really since people get to pull up in thier boats, and dine...then why not a plane!
Maybe, i can get a tow in to the dock (prearanged) then, motor out under power. Thats a good compromise, right?

There are enough challenges in negotiating the wind and current with regards to a seaplane. Generally, boats and airplanes don't mix very well. You get some boater that thinks he can tie up next to you or just fend off any part of the airplane, or thinks he can tie up near you and gets driven by the wind or current into your aircraft....and that dinner will be a truly unforgettable experience.

I skippered a yacht which we had a seaplane as a tender, and with special design features, it worked okay, but was often challenging. We used a special white hose from a local brewery for bumper material which was non-marring.

You are better off having a charter drop you off and come back and pick you up, if you want that experience without complication. It's different if you fly into a facility with a seaplane dock exclusive for seaplanes.

$.02

Buy a highlander and fold the wings for taxi and docking. I dont know if this would work Im just being a wise ass.

I'd need a good reason to bring a seaplane in this canal. Any amount of wind and current could ruin your day. I fly my 180 to Mt. Pleasant each year and always wish I flew down on floats. Their are so many areas south of Charleston that have deserted beaches and the looks of some excellent fishing.

Besides when I'm flying floats I want to get away from people, not join them. Where in SC are you?

menendez777 wrote:I'd need a good reason to bring a seaplane in this canal. Any amount of wind and current could ruin your day. I fly my 180 to Mt. Pleasant each year and always wish I flew down on floats. Their are so many areas south of Charleston that have deserted beaches and the looks of some excellent fishing.

Besides when I'm flying floats I want to get away from people, not join them. Where in SC are you?

This Canal is Shem creek, off of Charleston Harbor, Mt. Pleasant side of course.
The only reason i would want to go there with a seaplane really is just for kicks and to represent. Everyone else brings their boats and pulls up to any number of dockside places that are packed every Friday/Saturday during the summer. Just thought it would be cool. kinda to keep in my mind, as a dream to cross off for when i do get the chance to have a seaplane.
Your right, Charleston does have a few barrier islands, like Morris Island,
Cappers and dewees island that are near perfect for a nice beachside picnic or adventure. I live in the Goose Creek area, and fly from the Berkeley County airport. You should try Berkeley County next time your down. Way cheaper Fuel price on average, and a very friendly and outgoing staff. There is always somebody out flying and doing something on any given day!

Lownslow, I don't know diddly about floats, but I always thought a guy with a cub on floats could get some of the chicks those guys with the millon dollars boats are trolling for in places like Cleveland's Flats on the weekends. There they make non-stop passes going counter clock wise to the bars.

just dreaming

MTV, Were you a fish spotter in Alaska? Some of the hairiest flying stories I've read have been about them, but I never got to meet any of them.

I'll have to check Berkeley out. The in-laws live in charleston national across from the airport at mt. Pleasant. So it's hard to beat especially when it gets crazy in the house, I can go for a walk and check on the airplane

Lownslow....hope your in a safe place in Kuwait. Sounds like your ego is clouding your commonsense.......Some good advice here u are not listening to.

“The only reason i would want to go there with a seaplane really is just for kicks and to represent. Everyone else brings their boats and pulls up to any number of dockside places that are packed every Friday/Saturday during the summer. Just thought it would be cool. kinda to keep in my mind, as a dream to cross off for when i do get the chance to have a seaplane.”


You guys all haef ine tips and points! I just thought really since people get to pull up in thier boats, and dine...then why not a plane!
Maybe, i can get a tow in to the dock (prearanged) then, motor out under power. Thats a good compromise, right? WRONG

Geez Don,

Have another beer and relax! I'm sure lowandslow will rethink this when he obtains his SES rating. He will understand the differences between sea and landplanes as soon as he gets on the water. He has no experience on floats and the reason he asked the question. Let him learn, that is how most of us got to where we are now

Yeah your right Just getting old I guess and less tolerate ....of obvious questions..........

menendez777 wrote:Geez Don,

Have another beer and relax! I'm sure lowandslow will rethink this when he obtains his SES rating. He will understand the differences between sea and landplanes as soon as he gets on the water. He has no experience on floats and the reason he asked the question. Let him learn, that is how most of us got to where we are now