Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer vs Republic RC-3 Seabee
The Republic RC-3 Seabee and Lake LA-4 are the two classic piston pusher amphibians — the Seabee the rugged post-war original (often re-engined); the Lake the later, faster, more refined design.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
No active listings right now.
- For sale now
- 3
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 2
- Model years available
- 1946–1947
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer | Republic RC-3 Seabee |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 1 |
| Serious | — | 0 |
| Fatal | — | 1 |
| Fatalities | — | 2 |
| % Fatal | — | 100% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer | Republic RC-3 Seabee |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | — | $147,261 – $231,500 |
| Category | — | Warbirds |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Cruise Speed | 105 kts (194 km/h) | 90 kts (167 km/h) |
| Range | 717 nm (1,328 km) | 490 nm (907 km) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,690 lbs (1,220 kg) | 3,000 lbs (1,361 kg) |
Which Should You Buy: Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer or Republic RC-3 Seabee?
Bottom line: Choose the Lake for higher performance, a more modern airframe and better cruise; choose the Seabee for rugged post-war character, a roomier go-anywhere boat hull and classic appeal — typically at lower acquisition cost. Both demand thorough hull/corrosion inspection.
Pick the LA-4-200 Buccaneer if…
- Faster cruise — 105 kts vs 90 kts.
- Longer range — 717 nm vs 490 nm.
Pick the RC-3 Seabee if…
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.