"Mike Flying 8" wrote

Now I just wonder why the floats would stick?!?! I am going to have
to find something that I can read about this.

If you are able to get half of the water to actually be air, be it waves or
bubbles, that would mean you reduced the wetted surface contact by half, and
the drag by half. As much drag as water has, that would make a tremendous
difference.

Getting on the step, well, the step is the part of the float or hull where
the float takes about a 8" jump, upwards, so the back part of the float is
not as tall. (assume the top of the float is flat)

The step, (because it looks like an upside-down step) is usually slightly
behind the CG. When you get going fast enough, you are on the step when the
whole back (all aft of the step) is out of the water. You now are about half
out of the water, and have a lot less drag, so you quickly accelerate to
flying speed.

When you are going fast enough, you put a small amount of back pressure on
the stick, and get some more positive attack, and you pivot about the step
and the wing lifts you up and out of the water.

At that point, you can make a leisurely climb out, or if you have trees or
something to clear, you ease off and let the plane accelerate in ground
effect, the zoom up and over the trees on the bank.

So, getting on the step is the key to getting the plane quickly hauling ass!
--
Jim in NC