described are aircraft with at least one fuselage , a wing , a power plant coupled to the at least one fuselage , a shroud surrounding a propeller , and at least two floats coupled to the wing . as examples , each float may include a step that is forward of the location at which the bottom surface of the float intersects a line that passes through a center of gravity of the aircraft and is oriented at an angle of six degrees rearward from vertical . as further examples , each float may include a forward portion located forward of the step , the forward portion including a ski surface that is planar in a left to right horizontal direction , and an aft portion that is located rearward of the step .