This discussion is right down my alley.

I flew a T206 seaplane commercially and owned my own straight 206 seaplane.

The T206 I flew for Rivers Inlet Resort on the British Columbia coast.
http://www.riversinletresort.com/

We flew out of the Will Rogers-Wiley Post Seaplane Base.
http://www.ci.renton.wa.us/pressrel/seaplane.htm

This T206 seaplane was brand new in 1978 and normally was loaded with four
fat fishermen, and their gear. We'd leave with about half fuel to be at
gross and go through customs and fuel at Victoria B.C.

I gained a lot of respect for the T206 seaplane. It was a great airplane.
One thing not normally discussed is how nice the flying qualities of these
airplanes are. They have "frise" ailerons.
http://naca.larc.nasa.gov/reports/1946/naca-tn-1085/

The 206 has a great feel, much better than a Cessna 180 or 185. It also has
a huge horizontal stabilizer and powerful elevators. We often left Rivers
Inlet with a full load in high winds and rough seas. The wind was often
20-25 knots and seas of 2-3 feet. The bad part of takeoff was the smashing
waves. The good part was the wind was strong and takeoff run was short. The
first big wave to hit the T206 on takeoff would splash into the prop and
almost bury the airplane in water. By the next wave the seaplane would be on
the step and the wave would still catch the prop and water would stream over
the windshield and on back, the floats and airplane taking a severe beating.

It took full forward elevator at times to keep the airplane from bouncing
into the air. The flaps were set at 20 deg. The next thing to happen was to
wait till the stall warning horn came on. At that time full flaps were
extended and the airplane would bounce off the next wave and stagger into
the air. Then the nose was lowered and the airplane accelerated in ground
effect and the flaps retracted. Those 206's are really built, and can take a
beating!

The T206 has 310 horsepower. The 206 has 300. It makes a BIG difference,
especially in hot temperatures. The straight 206 seaplane is a DOG compared
to the T206. My straight 206 seaplane even had a Robertson kit, which makes
virtually no improvement in performance, especially on floats. Power is what
gets a seaplane up on step. And power is what counts to accelerate the
airplane.

I could go on but I'm going to fly to BFI, beg a crew car and Christmas shop
at Nordstrom.

Karl
"Curator" N185KG
please don't grammar check this post!!!