Cessna 185 Skywagon

Whether your dream is to fly to the remote glaciers of Alaska’s Denali National Park or hop between white sand beaches of the islands, Wipaire can outfit your Cessna 185 Skywagon with the versatility and performance you need. Wipaire manufactures and installs a full line of Wipline floats, skis and other performance enhancing modifications designed and constructed with special attention to every detail.

If you’ve been dreaming of flying your Skywagon right to the lake then take a look at Wipline 3000 Floats. Amphibious or Straight models are available for the Cessna 185.

Maybe your Cessna 185 has seen better days. With a full service Refinishing and Interiors department we can get her looking good as new. While she’s here our Maintenance team will get her running at the top of her game and with an Avionics upgrade you’ll be enjoying your air time even more!

Wipline Floats are known for both performance and durability and with almost 60 years in the business you can buy with confidence knowing that we’ll still be here to support our products for years to come.

Wipline 3000 Floats for the 185

Whether your dream is to fly to the remote glaciers of Alaska’s Denali National Park or hop between white sand beaches of the islands, Wipaire can equip your Cessna 185 with the versatility you need. Wipline 3000 floats are engineered to offer rugged durability and outstanding performance, giving you the freedom to explore.

Features and Benefits

  • Amphibious or seaplane floats available
  • Modern hydrodynamic design with fluted bottom skins, sister keels and high bow buoyancy to get off the water quickly and perform in a wide range of conditions
  • Best nose and main gear on the market, proven in the field and imitated by competitors
  • Internal cables for water rudder controls
  • Non-skid coated, flat top decks for safety
  • Enhanced safety with Wipaire’s exclusive Laser Gear Advisory system and gear position indicator on the float deck of amphibious floats
  • Two large float hatches for gear, measuring 25 3/4″ x 12″ with 50 pounds carrying capacity each
  • Aluminum skins and parts are laser cut and rivet holes are pre-punched so that replacement parts fit perfectly
  • Replaceable wear strips on main keel for ease of maintenance

3000 Floats Specifications

Float Dimensions
Length – Seaplane 20’1″ (6.12 m)
Length – Amphibian 20’8″ (6.3 m)
Height – Hull 2’5″ (0.74 m)
Width – Hull 2’8″ (0.81 m)
Float Locker Capacity (each) 50 lbs (22.7 kg)
Displacement in Fresh Water
Amphibious Floats 3,125 lbs (1,417 kg)
Seaplane Floats 3,301 lbs (1,497 kg)
 
Maximum Flotation
Amphibious Floats 3,472 lbs (1,575 kg)1
Seaplane Floats 3,668 lbs (1,664 kg)1
1) Per FAR 23.751with 80% reserve buoyancy (2 floats)

 


Weight for 3000 Floats on a Cessna 185
Amphibian System Total Weight 632 lbs (287 kg)
Amphibian Exchange Weight 483 lbs (219 kg)2
Seaplane System Total Weight 432 lbs (198 kg)
Seaplane Exchange Weight 282 lbs (128 kg)2
Aircraft Gross Weight 3,350 lbs (1,519 kg)
2) Exchange weight is equal to the float installation weight minus aircraft landing gear weight.
Cessna 185 Performance on Amphibious Floats
Engine Continental IO-520
Take off run (land) 760 ft (231 m)
Take off over 50 ft obstacle (land) 1,325 ft (404 m)
Take off run (water) 1,125 ft (343 m)
Take off over 50 ft obstacle (water) 1,710 ft (521 m)
Rate of climb (per/min) 950 ft (290 m)

“It comes off the water really sharp. You don’t ever have to wonder ‘at what point will it fly,’ it just gets on step and goes.”

M. Holt on the handling of his 3000 floats

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Modifications for the Cessna 185

Wipaire offers a range of modifications to help you get the most out of your aircraft. Select a modification below to learn more!

IO-550D Engine Upgrade

More power? Greater performance? One of the most effective ways of enhancing the capability and performance of your C-185 is to add an IO-550 engine and Hartzell or McCauley "Power Prop".
Learn More »

Hartzell Trailblazer Propeller Upgrade

The new carbon fiber composite Hartzell Trailblazer series 82" propeller is available for Cessna 185 models with the IO-550-D engine installed via Wipaire STC SA1522GL or Texas Skyways STC SA09960SC in both landplane and seaplane configurations.
Learn More »

IO-550D Engine Upgrade

More power? Greater performance? One of the most effective ways of enhancing the capability and performance of your C-185 is to add an IO-550 engine and Hartzell or McCauley "Power Prop".
Learn More »

Hartzell Trailblazer Propeller Upgrade

The new carbon fiber composite Hartzell Trailblazer series 82" propeller is available for Cessna 185 models with the IO-550-D engine installed via Wipaire STC SA1522GL or Texas Skyways STC SA09960SC in both landplane and seaplane configurations.
Learn More »

Coordinated Services

Minimizing AOG time with a coordinated service experience and one-stop nose to tail repair, refurbishment and modifications.

  • Simplified Coordination of Services
  • Comprehensive Facilites
  • Maintenance, Paint, Interiors & Avionics in One Location
  • Ferry Service Available
  • Reputation for Quality and Convenience

Avionics

Installation, Upgrades & Repairs

Interiors

Custom Interiors, Repairs & Refurbishment

Paint

Strip & Refinish, Float Matching & Repairs

Maintenance

Annuals, Pre-Buys, Repair & Restoration

Avionics

Interiors

Paint

Maintenance

Gallery

Ready to get started?

Provide some basic information on what services you are interested in and we will get in touch!

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Cessna 185 on Wipline 3000 Floats