While I'm not an expert on the pod mounted planes, I happen to have three ARFs that incorporate the pod mount. The Seamaster, Seamonster and the Mariner. On the Mariner there is supposed to be a 3 1/2 degree up thrust of the motor, though my kit was absent that until I changed it. As mentioned on the related posts, pod mounted motors tend to want to nose over, i.e.pull the hull forward and down unless you hold a bit of elevator initially and when you reach plaining speed you can relax the elevator and eventually fly off the water. The mariner also had a noticeable left cant, which I found to be odd as for example a tail dragger will loop to the left and to counter it, I give it a slight right rudder on take off.

An up=thrust of the pod helps eliviate the nose-over, but once in the air,will tend to climb. Varying speed will change the plane's pitch on the pod motor and to a lesser degree that is true to motors mounted on thrust line. That is why some trainers like the carl Goldberg Eagle has a down and right thrust motor mount.If you trim for level on lets say 1/2 throttle and then give it full, the plane will climb. The Mariner was very sensitive to speed change where as the Seamaster changes slightly.

There are several good flying "boats" ARFs that you might consider looking at before you make changes to your plane, that may or may not work. I keep seeing this small electric listed on this market place for around $50., and I believe it has around 35" wing span.

Crazy? Not. Intersting revelations have been found by exploring changes. But if you are in love with this model, and things don't work out can you stant maybe loosing it. Sometimes the planning and the actual trip is more fun than arriving. But in this hobby, its the out come that counts. If it dont fly.....just have fun doing it.