Zenair Float Sizes

Zenair Floats are given a designation number depending on their size (see right column below). This designation number also corresponds to the flotation of the floats. For example, the #1450 floats are designed for use on aircraft with a MTOW of up to 1,450 pounds. Note that the #1150 amphibious floats are more like 1250 floats and will work  well on an aircraft with a MTOW of 1,250 lbs., however, they are too small for an LSA aircraft with a 1,420 pound gross on floats. 

The smaller sizes of Zenair straight floats easily carry their own weight in straight and level flight; amphibious and larger float sizes carry slightly less (exact percentages vary depending on speed of aircraft and on the rigging of the floats - i.e. angle of incidence).  Contact the designer/manufacturer of your aircraft for more information on float-weight allowances (re. 'useful-load' and 'MTOM') and for potential changes to design load limits when operating your aircraft equipped with floats.

Warning:  Floats on an aircraft will greatly increase its utility and fun factor (yeah!); make sure, however, that when installing floats, you do not inadvertently surpass the maximum allowable gross weight (legal MTOM) for the CAA category that your aircraft is registered in:
​
                          CATEGORY:                                                      MAX. GROS WEIGHT ALLOWED:
                          Experimental category...................................No Maximum Weight limit in most countries
                          Light Sport category (LSA)............................1320 lbs + float allowance (110 lbs) = 1430 lbs
                          Advanced Ultralight (Canada)......................1232 lbs (there is no float allowance for AULA)
                          ULM category (Europe)..................................Different for different countries; check local rules...
FLOAT SIZE
Weight per Float
Length
Max. Width
Basic Parts Kit
​(BPK)
Pre-drilled Parts Kit  (PDK)
#750 Straight
35 lbs
12.5 ft
21 inches
​Available
Available
#950 Straight
​50 lbs
​12.5 ft
​24 inches
Available
​Available
#1150 Straight
​55 lbs
15.5 ft
​24 inches
​Available
​Available
#1150 Amphibious
90 lbs
​15.5 ft
​24 inches
​Available
​Available
#1450 Straight
60 lbs
15.5 ft
27 inches
​Available
Available
#1450 Amphibious
​100 lbs
15.5 ft
27 inches
​Available
​Available
#1700 Straight
95 lbs
17.5 ft
30 inches
​Available
​Available
#2200 Straight
110 lbs
17.5 ft
32.5 inches
Available
Available
​#2200 Amphibious
160lbs
17.5 ft​
32.5 inches
Available
Available
#2500 Straight
​115 lbs
​17.5 ft
34 inches
​Available
Available
​#2500 Amphibious
​165 lbs
17.5 ft
​34 inches
​Available
​Available
Note: Factory-built ZENAIR floats are assembled with sealed blind rivets and marine adhesive in order to keep  costs down and to simplify maintenance. For the larger floats, the extrusions are solid riveted as to maximize the strength. Kit customers assembling their own floats have a choice of assembling with the same sealed blind rivets; common aircraft solid-rivets can also be used instead. The standard hydraulic system includes a manual hand pump that is mounted close to the pilot. Pump used is a high quality Parker type with remote oil reservoir. An optional electric Parker pump is also available and can be mounted anywhere in the fuselage. Price for the manual or electric pump is the same. 
Picture
Picture
Float weights are approximate and includes the wheels/brakes in amphibious models. Weight does not include Rigging / Spreader bars kit or hydraulic pump, paint and/or other optional equipment. For fuselage mounting hardware, contact the airframe manufacturer.
All information is subject to change without notice and figures are approximates only.
NOTICE: If you are considering Zenair Floats for a Type-Certificated aircraft (NOT EXPERIMENTAL), please read the Q&A.