Mark,

Sorry you coudn't get the Seawind off the water but it sounds like you were headed in the right direction with the downthrust. You've provided the inspiration for me to try to get some detailed measurements off my Seawind.

Before you chop it up you might consider converting it to electric. You can move the batteries around to achieve the proper CG and eliminate the ballast altogether. My Seawind comes in under 10 lbs. I've been able to get mine off the water with an 1100 watt system, an Axi 4120-18 plus a 6 cell battery, at high altitudes (> 2000 m). My problem is boat wakes so I am trying to get to a much higher power system. But if you're flying off of relatively smooth water, then you could get everything you need from www.hobbycity.com for under $200 (cheaper than a new glow engine). I would actually recommend a better system, but get my drift. Electric Seawinds are really neat in the air, you can barely hear them when they are 100m away.

What prop were you using with your glo engine and what RPM were you getting?

Bob