Tried the 403 with Tom Kirkman's method (using the rod holder) this weekend. First impressions:
* The motor is SUPER powerful, so much so that it kicked itself out of the water over and over (The "curvature-limit" didn't work as expected, it kicked up any way)
* The conduit hangers, despite being super tightly secured, got loose (they rotated on their base). I have some ideas how to remediate (run the shaft inside a PVC pipe segment, filled in with foam, and use 30mm shaft collars as retainers (Will post update)
* The battery that comes with the 403C model (the only difference with the 403) lasts pretty much for ever. Didn't do any scientific measuring, but after 1.5 hours of running at about 40-50% max power I had consumed ... less that 5% of the battery charge (???). That is OUTSTANDING
* Don't hold any doubt about the capability of this motor to poser the TI: worry more about keeping it safely attached
So, I am considering a motor attachment based on aluminum cylinders (1" thick) inserted on the front scupper holes, with a transversal axis that holds the motor on the side (Imagine the Hobie cart, carried on your boat, but instead of the wheels extend the axis to one side and hang the motor from the side on it. Easy to put on/remove, reversible to work on either side, with the motor pointing down just next to the aka. Has anybody experimented with that? Of course, any of the two sets of scuppers can be used (front or aft), which gives added flexibility to the seating arrangement (BTW, I hated seating on the back
Also, just received from Torqeedo the wing shape to prevent cavitation. Surprised to see that it is made of aluminum, had imagined it plastic or rubbery. Will also test how to attach it this weekend (some cement will be required, as well as cutting it - it's really long) - The factory pieces that work as retainers are back-ordered.
http://iweave.net/Tandem/IMG_3425.jpgWill send pictures when the design advances a little. pro10is, again, thanks for all your support and patience answering questions. I am stoked with the new toy (rode about 3 miles dead against a 10mph wind on Monday, and did it quickly, safely and laughing at how long it would have taken me otherwise, DESPITE the fact that I was putting the motor down over and over after accelerating it a little too much). Awesome stuff, thanks for getting me into it