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SeaRey Advice |
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Wayne Bezner Kerr - Dec 30,2008
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Hello Splashers and Dashers:<br /><br />My name is Wayne. I am a new member of this list. <br /><br />I have long been a water-wings enthusiast. Years ago I owned a Challenger II on amphibs, and I worked and taught in a weight-shift-control trike on straight floats. I love the water, and miss it.<br /><br />I have been hoping to get back on the water, and a used SeaRey seems like the most pragmatic blend of performance, maintainability, and fun. I have watched the prices of several used ones come and go. <br /><br />I have a few questions for the group:<br /><br />1.) How much is a C hull worth to you compared to a B hull? The only SeaRey I have flown was a 914 powered B hull example. I did find the aircraft to be surprisingly sensitive to attitude upon touchdown, and I was handed my pilot's pride a couple of times. <br /><br />2.) How do you like the 914 engine for maintenance and reliability? I am a fan of the 912 (have owned a dozen or so), less so of the 912S due to greater vibration and need for slightly higher fuel quality. I have little experience with the 914, but recognize that it brings another level of complexity. Buying a used one does worry me a bit.<br /><br />3.) How much do real-life SeaRey's weigh? How much is too heavy? The SeaRey I flew had a gyro panel, heavy paint, electric gear, electric flaps, etc. It would be hard to imagine flying that aircraft with two adult males and just a 912 S. With a 914 it certainly did not feel overpowered!<br /><br />I love to dream about a featherlight example with a carbon C hull, simple VFR panel, 912S and no damage history. If such an airplane exists - I doubt I could afford it! I do see 914 powered examples for sae with multiple owners, unreachable builders and very high empty weights. You may have seen a 914 example that has been floating around on Barnstormers a lot recently. I asked the vendor about damage history and did not get an answer. It may mean nothing at all, but my radar did beep a few times...<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts!<br /><br />Wayne in Canada<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />
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Jeff Arnold - Dec 30,2008
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Hi Wayne,<br /><br />A few comments. <br /><br />Regarding weight, check out the 'Big Mac' poll on this site. It will give you an idea of what Seareys weigh. I know of at least one person who has an airplane over 1000 pounds who chose not to reveal him (or her) self in the poll.<br /><br />I have a 912S on a C hull and reasonably heavy at 940 pounds with hydraulic gear and electric flaps. Lighter would be better, but overall, I am very happy with performance. The C Hull is more forgiving for pitch excursions, less likely to bounce or porpoise, and may keep you out of trouble in some situations, but many poeple are very happy flying A and B hulls.<br /><br />Good luck finding the plane of your dreams Wayne.
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Walt Bates - Dec 31,2008
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C vs. B: Both have advantages. The B hull step-taxies better. I have taken one through a slalom course and could never get the long keeled C hull to turn that sharply. The pitch sensitivity on touchdown is definitely reduced with the C hull but with your experience you could master the B easily. I wouldn't let that effect your choices of used SRs.<br />914 vs 912/s: Outside of cost I love my 914. The lower compression runs more smoothly and quietly. Exterior noise is a biggie with me as I live and keep the plane on a small lake with some LOLs who tolerate me, though barely. Friends tell me the engine is quieter than the 582 I used to have on a Buccaneer II. And the power difference is a big plus to me as I frequently fly over 1,500# and the lakes in northern Wisconsin are surrounded by tall formidable looking trees. No exhaust maintenance worries is also a plus. The 914 does need an operable electric fuel pump. So be sure you have one that is hot wired directly from the battery so you can gang bar the whole airplane and still have an engine.<br />Weight: I have a CF C hull, manual gear, no external alternator, long hosed heater in the nose, 28 gal aluminum tank.........925# empty. But with the 914 I can easily fly over 1,500#.<br />Finally............I love my Searey. After 20 years of amphib flying I still go up most evenings and have to fight myself to finally land and put it away.<br />Keep us posted, Wayne.<br />
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Dave Edward - Jan 01,2009
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With an ' A ' hull and a 912, OWE of 774 lbs...MTOW of 1232 lbs, ( mandated by TC ) I am fairly restricted to amount of fuel carried when flying with a pax. I weigh 235 lbs and solo it is a great performer.<br />Where are you in Canada Wayne ?<br />Look me up in the members section and e-mail or phone.
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Dan Nickens - Jan 01,2009
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Dave is offering some good advice, Wayne. You should contact members offline to get an uncensored view. Discussions of technical matters are restricted on this site. This thread has stressed the policy, but it is a new year and everyone is likely to be laid back this morning. You are certain to get a range of opinions if you contact members with aircraft directly.
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Larry Woods - Jan 01,2009
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Hi Wayne:<br /><br />Let me know where you are located. I am in Stoney Creek, Ontario and fly the A-24 amphibian. <br /><br />The A-24 is a three seat amphibian with an empty weight of 1,000 pounds and has a 1656 pound gross weight. It handles rough water very well (I practice most of my water work on lake Ontario) and is very robust. Mine flies beautifully with a Rotax 912-S. <br /><br />Best,<br />Larry
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John Spratt - Jan 01,2009
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The NEW Searey.com website has currrent specifications of weight and performance. Look under 'The Searey' then 'Searey Specifications'
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Wayne Bezner Kerr - Jan 01,2009
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Hello Jeff, Walt, Dave, Dan, Larry and Walt:<br /><br />Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, experiences and perspectives. It certainly backs up the <br />impression I had that SeaRey people tend to be more gregarious, helpful and outgoing. <br /><br />I am located in London, Ontario. I am looking forward to meeting and visiting with some Ontario SeaRey <br />people as the weather improves. I fly hang gliders near Arthur, Ontario, and I've seen a few SeaReys in <br />the sky near there. <br /><br />Do any of you Ontario SeaRey people fly in the winter? It has been a miserable last couple of months for <br />any sport flying in the area, but hope springs eternal. I'd be happy to meet folks for lunch, coffee, etc if <br />there is a place you fly out to.<br /><br />I look forward to meeting more of you at some clear lake, or tikki bar somewhere. The day I flew a <br />SeaRey (Buddy Babcock's 914 SeaRey near Clermont) we dropped in at a Tikki bar to meet another pilot <br />for iced tea. I was amazed to see two more SeaRey's arrive - everybody clearly enjoying the day.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Wayne BK
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John Robert Dunlop - Jan 01,2009
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Hi Wayne,<br />I think Lee Coulman will be doing some winter flying in C-GJIB out of Kitchener.<br />Frank Noordhuis may also have C-FEUD flying out of Brampton..
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Lee Coulman - Jan 01,2009
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John<br /><br />I'm awake. There is life at CYKF. I'm looking for excuses to fly even if it is damn cold here.
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DSCN0490 GJIB app CYKFrwy14
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John Robert Dunlop - Jan 01,2009
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You are a bear for punishment Lee!<br />How is the engine running? Do you notice any difference?
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Lee Coulman - Jan 02,2009
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John<br />It just wanted to jump into the air with the extra power, or maybe it was the cold temps (-10C). Noticed a bit of roughness in the 3700 to 4500 rpm range which I suspect is a carb balance problem. And then the GPS intermittently lost power, beeping on and off during the flight.<br />How do you like the lighting with the Dynon and the instrument side lighting?
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John Robert Dunlop - Jan 02,2009
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The gareshield lighting (if that is what you meant) is not as good as an overhead wide angle flood but it is better than nothing..
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Don Maxwell - Jan 02,2009
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I think Euclid is almost in Wayne's back yard, but he hasn't seen this thread yet.
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John Robert Dunlop - Jan 02,2009
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yeah Don, I think you are right and I think Euclid has a serviceable winter airport too.
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Wayne Bezner Kerr - Jan 02,2009
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Hello John, Don and Lee:<br /><br />I'd be happy fly to YKF, and buy coffee for anybody who doesn't mind having his brain picked about <br />SeaReys for a while. Do they have landing fees there? If the weather is bad, I'm happy to drive. <br /><br />(I fly out of St Thomas, where we have managed to escape the worst of the airport insanity that is <br />plaguing so many places these days)<br /><br />Who is Euclid? Is there somebody even closer? I had no idea there were so many SeaReys around!<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Wayne BK<br /><br />
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Lee Coulman - Jan 03,2009
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Wayne<br />Coffee costs you a minimum of $5 here. That's the landing fee. That's how much they're still trying to charge me for landing the Searey here about a month ago. I have now rented a hanger and they say that they will reverse the charges. Contact me at my email address lee.coulman@sympatico.ca but I'm away on business next week.
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Dave Lima - Jan 03,2009
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Wayne, next time we have a party we'll have you over, you'll get all the searey advise you want (weather you want it or not!)
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John Robert Dunlop - Jan 03,2009
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Wayne, Euclid Benoit just completed his SeaRey C-GEUC in August and keeps it at Tillsonberg CNQ4. Dennis V and I have our planes hangared on a grass strip just south of Shelburne CNN3.
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Dave Edward - Jan 04,2009
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Hi Again Wayne....as much as I love my SeaRey, and,.....at the risk of being ostracized by my fellow owners....I strongly suggest that you go have a look at Larry Woods' A-24. He is in Grimsby and one of his two A-24s is for sale. I wish I had the $$$...I don't !<br />I flew it in conditions my SeaRey would not have handled. Mind you, the 'A ' hull has greater limitations than what you are considering. Just a thought...worth the drive...or a phone call to Larry.<br />The BIG bonus...it's ready to fly...right now !
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Larry Woods - Jan 04,2009
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Hi Wayne and Dave:<br /><br />Many thanks Dave for the kind words about my A-24. It is indeed an amazing amphibian. <br /><br />Just to update the record, I sold 'The Immigrant' a short while ago. I think you know the new Owner.... Jim Pike.... a retired Air Canada driver. He is a very neat guy and I look forward to both he and I flying formation, in our A-24's, down to your place this coming summer. (g)<br /><br />We have found Jim's new toy a hangar here at Grimsby Airpark (NZ8) for a few months During that period, I will get busy and complete the new A-24 kit (now that I have room to work in the hangar) and also get Jim up for some air time. Thank goodness the A-24 has a great heater so we can fly in comfort during the remainder of the winter. (g)<br /><br />Wayne, if you get a chance, come on over to Grimsby and we can get together for a lunch. Perhaps we can entice John dunlop, Dave Edwards, Dave Lima, Lee Coulman, et al to also join us. It would be neat to share our experiences. <br /><br />Best,<br />Larry <br /><br />
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Wayne Bezner Kerr - Jan 04,2009
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Hi Guys:<br /><br />Well, I look forward to meeting all of you - A24 or SeaRey equipped. I got in to town late yesterday after driving through viscious snow squalls coming down from Georgian Bay, and found a nice high pressure settled over the area. I took advantage of the break and took my youngest for a bit of a flight. <br /><br />I will try to track down Euclid, as I used to do a bit of flying from Tillsonburg. It is indeed a short hop from St Thomas. I'll try to get to YKF for some of that $5.00 coffee when I can get together with Lee. Come spring, I'll set the Shelbourne strip as a XC goal and try to get there in the hang glider, if visitors are welcome to land there. <br /><br />(We do tend to mess up the pattern, but our landing roll sure is short...)<br /><br />I am off to Phoenix today, where the breezes ought to be light, and the temps a lot warmer than they are here. <br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />WBK<br /><br /><br /><br />
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Gord Dykeman - Jan 04,2009
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Wayne, if you would like to see the insides of the Searey, I'm about 50% done my kit. Wings aren't covered yet and the fuselage can still be opened up. I'm located in Paris (50 minutes from London). Let me know if you are interested.<br /><br />Kind Regards,<br /><br />Gord
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Euclid Benoit - Jan 05,2009
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Hi Wayne,<br /><br />As you have been told by John Dunlop, I completed my Searey in August and have a little over 50 hours on it. I am just completing building a hangar at aTillsonburg (CNQ4) and you are very welcome just call me at (519) 660-9627 and I can meet you there.<br />I am at the hangar most days, now doing the wiring which should be complete this month.<br /><br />My Searey is a C hull, 914, electric gear, electric flaps, electric trim and a Mazda Heater which I am very happy to have these days. It is far from the lightest Searey, at 1000# empty. However, I am very pleased with it.<br /><br />Looking forward to meeting you.<br />
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Bruno Grondin - Jan 09,2009
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Euclid, glad your Masda heater works well, I was suppose to try it this winter but you know the story hein...<br />Wayne, my Rey is in the Tempo now you are more than welcome the wings and panel are uninstalled so you will have good vision of this little airplane.<br /><br />And theirs a bed on the Rock here for you. Coffee includes at no charge...hehehe
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Andy Shane - Jan 06,2009
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Wayne,<br /><br /> Dunno if you're still collecting opinions, but I've arrived in this community recently (2005) and have a unique perspective. <br /><br /> The nearly 30 yrs of flying I did prior to touching an amphib hardly scratched the surface of what I needed to know. But, while these planes will hand you back your head on a plate without warning, it's for sure the most fun you can have in the air!<br /><br /> Like you, I set out in search of a basic used SeaRey, something I could send to the bottom of the lake without breaking the bank. I ended up with a B-hull 912UL that is recorded as an exceptionally lightweight ship at 894 lbs. Even so, I'm restricted from carrying what I want.<br /><br /> The B hull has been fine, and my water-landing tally has passed 1,300 without incident. Running the horizontal stab through a boat wake during rollout bent a tube, but we all now know that either a gap seal or third hinge is a must for each tail feather. <br /><br /> I love the low-speed water capability of the B, the upright nimble quality that out-performs the Aventura. With 80 hp, I was airborne faster than my 100 hp Aventura II buddy on land and in the water. I've flown with Kerry in a 914 demo bird, and like the surplus power. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it's a must if you top 200 lbs. At 175 lbs, I realistically have to carry people my own weight or less. Here in the Lower 48, they're becoming increasingly rare! When I build my own 'Rey, it will probably have a 912S. The SeaRey has a superior structure, better control redundancy. It's more of a 'real' plane, more of a sports-car. The front office is less ultralight, more fighter. Wifey used to call the Aventura a 'kite' or 'toy', and says the 'Rey is much closer to being like our Skywagon.<br /><br /> What's unique about my view is that I first bought a single-seat Aventura, which is a comparatively squirrelly bird. Then, I helped maintain (and flew) an Aventura II. While my initial experience with Aero Adventure was positive -- Bob Boswell was a respected instructor in our military community and I thought pilot Billy Simmons is one of the best I've ever seen -- the company seemed to botch everything it touched and their mistakes nearly cost lives.<br /><br />On the other hand, an initial cool reception at Progressive Aerodyne (we stopped in un-announced on a busy day) was delightfully misleading: they are a warm and supportive family, and give unprecedented service. Plus, the Florida owners have countless stories about PA going way above and beyond the call of duty in response to mishaps or mechanical woes. <br /><br />My biggest surprise, joining this fleet, has by far been the owners' networks. These guys even out-shine stalwarts like the Short Wing Piper gang, the American Bonanza Society, the Intl 170 Assn. When you have a kit number and join the SeaRey Technical Site, you'll see what I mean!<br /><br />The Canadian 914-powered bird seems almost too good to be true, I'd also suspect damage. Of interest: a new ad was posted announcing that 'the wife' is now selling the plane, as of yesterday. But, the price is the same. Maybe one of your fellow Canadians can shed some light on this one. The name is unfamiliar to me. It smells like a dealer flip sale, but I don't know for sure. Of course, a few less bucks and anything that can reach your local airport under its own power regardless of subsequent maintenance needed might be a good deal...<br /><br />Best of luck!<br />
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Fred Glasbergen - Jan 06,2009
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The 914 searey is one of the new kits that I sold and it has been in the area ever since. I am very familiar with the airplane and the current owner as it is also listed on my web site. If any one requires more information re-history and current condition you can contact me directly and it is not a dealer flip sale. What ever that means! Cell 604 619-5914
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