I'm mounting my bow mount evinrude, and am confused ( I have never used a foot controlled one before ) It has what I though to maybe be a relief of sorts???? Do I mount this so that it can fully bend down, or no???
I've never even seen that flap before.. Is it just there to protect the hull from the pole when the motor is deployed? I'd say as long as the motor can deploy fully, you have proper mounting placement. I don't see that flap increasing or decreasing performance.
Put the motor down and see where you need it to extend to. Mark it, mount it, and be done with it. I think that you could even remove it with no effect to the functionality of it. I believe Dyeguy is right, that it is protection for your boat.