Sasless - the shape and size of the chinook hull is what I expect lets it do that - I mentioned a boat like hull for water takeoffs which is almost what the chinny has. It also has an excess of power.
Remember I am still flying every day so don't have to rely on misty-eyed recollections of past glories
Gulli - I presently fly the 412 EP and there is not a chance with a bucket of water underneath of staying airborne OEI nor doing a SEWTO. The driveshaft failure in the sim gives a very marked yaw.