What I think I would like to do is get a older C185 on amphibs, looking at my mission and what I truly enjoy about flying, floats are where it's at, and being able to cruise at 120+ kts vs 90, and still haul my girl and camping supplies, and be able to go IFR, that's all I could ask for.

NEEDS.
Low time airframe: sub 3000
Low time engine: under 800 SMOH
IFR, capable of shooting a ILS and LPV, preferably garmin, steam is cool, but don't want to have it pay for a avionics upgrade

Wants
Would like newer wiplines or glass amphibs
Would like a IO550
Bubble windows or observer doors
Older model 185
Pretty paint and interior are always nice
Tundras or penetration skis would be a sweet bonus

Budget: 175k

I've found some nice 185s, most everything I want but newer models and with 520s, and on Edo amphibs

Also found a perfect 185 on just wheels, everything I want for the most part.... Seen some wiplines 3450s for sale with C206 rigging, wonder how much of a pain it would be to put that together?

Thoughts? Ideas? Comments?

Great idea, I love it! Hot rod 185 is one of the few amphibs that perform well, especially if you're treating it mostly as a two place.

Why the need for low airframe time? That's going to shrink your pool of candidates considerably, and low airframe does not always equal a good 185. I'd be more concerned with how any damage was dealt with and how much ski time was on the machine. In my little sphere of experience ski time is much harder on a Cessna than float time is.

If you go to look at a machine that has much time on floats make sure someone gets a real good look at the gear boxes, inter-granular corrosion can hide there. Stabilizer jackscrews are another problem. If there's any roughness it's time to replace the screws and barrels with the all stainless units sold by Mcfarlane. http://www.mcfarlane-aviation.com/Produ ... =64405630&

As far as the brand of floats go, Aerocet, Aerocet, Aerocet. EDOs are a pain plus mostly junk and Wips suck. Take it from someone who was a professional seaplane mechanic for 14 years.

Best of luck looking for your new machine, we'll be anxiously waiting to see what you end up with.

I'm not a huge fan of the Edos, but I found a 520 powered 185, avionics are perfect, interior and paint, low hours, but she's a later model.

Thoughts?

I'm not sure why you're nervous about a higher airframe time. I've seen some low airframe time planes that were junk and some really good higher time planes. Have a very knowledgeable mechanic (knowledgeable about Cessnas) do a THOROUGH pre-buy (my preference is have him annual it, then his signature is going in the books.... and you should be good.

The plane you referenced there is on EDO 2790 amphibious floats. Those floats can work, but your gross weight will be restricted, and you'll really have to learn to fly those floats. My guess is that at some point, you'll get into the habit of overloading it a bit, get in some wind, turn it around and have a deeply moving religious experience . I've seen it done. Those floats are significantly under floated for a 185, in my opinion. Also, FYI, all the float compartments from the step forward are connected, so if you hole one compartment, instead of flooding just that one compartment, you'll flood the entire front of that float. Unless you're toed up on land on a sloping beach, you'll lose the plane. I know....don't hole a float. I've done it...more than once. It happens.

If you're looking at a plane that isn't already on floats, make certain that it has a factory float kit. You DO NOT want to consider installing a float kit.

As to Wip 3450 floats rigged for a 206 and re-rigging to 185, bring $$$$, lots of it. Also, in my opinion, unless you go to the upgross on the 185, the 3450 is too big a float for the 185. If you're going with Wips, the 3000 is a great float for the standard 185.

I agree that the EDO 2790 floats are a poor choice for the 185. I think that, properly maintained, and used in a recreational airplane, the Wip floats, the PK floats and the Aerocets are all good choices. The Aerocets are great floats, and fiberglass has it's advantages, no doubt, and not just in salt water. That said, these are very large floats, so cruise speed is slower than the smaller floats.

I REALLY like the IO 550 engine, but the 520, operated intelligently, works fine, and at overhaul you could exchange it for a 550. I think you're going to find that 185s with 550s are going to be pricey.

Wing extensions are a GREAT seaplane mod on the Cessnas. On many models they give you an increase in gross weight. With some, the 185 can go to 3500 pounds.

Finally, you may want to consider a Cessna 180 with a bigger engine and upgross mods. They're a little lighter, and with a 520 or 550, they make great seaplanes. There are probably more 180s out there that haven't been thrashed in commercial use as well. In any case, I wouldn't exclude a good repowered 180. I think for the money you're talking, you could get a really nice airplane with a very low time engine.

MTV

Can't help you with an amphib, but I might be putting my sweet 185 on the market soon, I am flirting with a Beaver as my sole airplane.

Here's what I got though-

1973 185 Serial #18502300 which was owned by Cessna as a test platform until 1979, so it has all the 1979 model features i.e. 88 gallon wet wing, 24 volt, modern panel configuration.

It was fully rebuilt by Beegles after an incident with the previous owner so it is arguably better than new. 3,000 or so hours tt.

IO 520 1200 smo, gami injectors, runs strong.

The best panel I have ever seen in a 185, full IFR with Garmin 696, 430 Waas, Stec autopilot, Aspen PFD.

Extended baggage, redone commercial grade rhino lining interior, battery on the firewall.

3 year old Aerocet straight floats.

New Goodyear 8.50 tires.

There might be a dozen nicer 185's in the fleet, Big Renna's is one of 'em, but of course he can't float his

I am in no hurry to sell as I need to save up if I am gonna get a sweet beaver, but of course everything is always for sale.

PM me if you are interested.

Brad

Sounds like a hell of a plane Brad, however I really need a amphib for my mission.

Brad, i PM'd you...