Yes on Sunday I got to ride the new Doutone Foil assist.
First a bit of a back ground for those that do not know me I have been around the beach since windsurfing days!
And surfing for 45 years.
Kited since 2001 and have been foiling for about 4 years.
I would say I am an above average Wing foil rider, Very strong SUP foiler and on a Prone can ride waves and pump for a 2 or 3 wave connect.
I am 6'1 about 89kg and 59 years young, I have ridden the Foil drive assist plus and the newer Gen 2 with max power battery and 3 blade prop.
I rode the new 5"8 Duotone Foil assist 58L board with the 82cm Alloy mast, Code adaptor, CODE 1130S Med Fuse and 150 Tail.
My normal most used foil is the 980s but I thought going up a size may assist with using a new set up and was a bit sceptical about battery use.
First impressions of the gear visually was quality, looked very good, every thing was well finished.
I also saw the Carbon integrated mast this is a very nice bit of kit. Super impressed they could get it that stiff and keep it so light.
I thought the alloy mast was about the standard weight for a 82cm alloy mast no heavier. ( I normally ride the CODE + mast)
Ok down to the water Conditions were semi smooth 1.5 to 3 foot reef break with unbroken swell running to the beach.
First 5 to 7 mins was not good could not get my head around the thumb push button controls on my finger AHHHH!
After using FD trigger control this was weird..
I rode in standard mode which has 5 power setting, there is also Beast mode mode that increases power up more. I did not try this mode.
In standard mode setting 5 this does not have the grunt of the FD Max with 3 blade prop.(I have not tried the new more powerful battery of motor from FD.
But I would say it is more thrust than Assist plus.
Its a 2 blade prop and once I got my head around the control system it had more than enough power on standard 5 to get my 89kg up out of the water and on foil.
Later I could get up on standard 4 power, once I got used to the system and board.
I used a fair bit of battery in the first 10 to 15 mins working this out and getting used to it.
Now the cool part, once I got my head around the controller and board I was just lapping out to sea picking swell about 50 the 75 meters past where I would normally take off on prone or SUP set up.
The Doutone board is light and stiff lots of carbon , felt natural under my feet after the first few waves.
There is no weight penalty at all.
Its funny pick up the waist belt in the car park there is a bit of weight there but in the harness on your hips after a few minutes I forgot it was there.
I could pump across the flats and link waves and not notice the battery harness at all.
I think if I have a long 50 to 100m pump back out this I would notice.
I will say I though the leg rope was I bit short for my liking after a fall when you surface the board is closer then I am used to.
I was told that you can get a longer version.
The big question how long did the battery's last I got about 45mins but used alot in the start working out controller etc.
The rep only had 1 set of battery's for me to use.
I am positive given a few more goes and after getting used to the system I could get an extra 10 to maybe 15 mins out of them.
Do I want one YES..
When you order one just order a second set of batterys as well cause you will later anyway.
The set up comes with a quick charger 45 mins to charge battery so with 2 sets you can surf until you legs give out.
Can not wait till spring and they arrive in the country..
Thanks
Rod
Please note I am the Jimmy Lewis importer for Aust
And a team rider for ESS Boardstore but have no affiliation with Duotone at all
I normally ride CODE Foils and JL boards.
Good review ...... The big question is ... if you could only pick one ... which one would you buy ... FD Max or Duotone assist?
"I will say I though the leg rope was I bit short for my liking after a fall when you surface the board is closer then I am used to."
Longer Leg ropes on a swallow tail can be problematic as they stick in the V and pull the board forward (often into your face.) Short is probably a good thing! I use a 4' Kaohi prone calf leash and while it's a bit of a pain to get it aligned for paddling, is great up and riding and has never caused any board to rider contact that other longer leashes have. 
Select to expand quoteHwy1North said..
"I will say I though the leg rope was I bit short for my liking after a fall when you surface the board is closer then I am used to."
Longer Leg ropes on a swallow tail can be problematic as they stick in the V and pull the board forward (often into your face.) Short is probably a good thing! I use a 4' Kaohi prone calf leash and while it's a bit of a pain to get it aligned for paddling, is great up and riding and has never caused any board to rider contact that other longer leashes have.
Why the fish tail board to begin with? Can't see any benefit for this on a foil board and that strange design decision is kind of distracting.
Select to expand quoteVelocicraptor said..Hwy1North said..
"I will say I though the leg rope was I bit short for my liking after a fall when you surface the board is closer then I am used to."
Longer Leg ropes on a swallow tail can be problematic as they stick in the V and pull the board forward (often into your face.) Short is probably a good thing! I use a 4' Kaohi prone calf leash and while it's a bit of a pain to get it aligned for paddling, is great up and riding and has never caused any board to rider contact that other longer leashes have.
Why the fish tail board to begin with? Can't see any benefit for this on a foil board and that strange design decision is kind of distracting.
It allows for a shorter cable length. On my Foildrive waist pack even at the maximum 2 mtr cable length it was barely enough to go around a regular tail and then allow you to stand, the large swallow would solve this problem. Yes you can make the cable even longer but being a DC not AC current the voltage drop then becomes an issue.
How does the leash work? Is it a separate cable that runs inside the Coil, or is the cable itself used for the leash. I build myself a faux drive that is bolted to my old ride engine harness, but haven't sorted out the best leash system yet
The leg rope and cable are seperate.
The leg rope attaches to the normal leggie plug and is shorter than the cable.
They are both togeather in a neoprene sleave.
Select to expand quoteJimmy Lewis Boards said..
The leg rope and cable are seperate.
The leg rope attaches to the normal leggie plug and is shorter than the cable.
They are both togeather in a neoprene sleave.
I ask this as I have made my own with a Ride Engine Kite Harness- is the leg rope that run inside the coil center static or dynamic? Im using a shorter piece of Amsteel/Dyneema lightly zap strapped to my 12Guage 3phase cable. I have some Coiled cable otw, and am now looking to take inspiration from their engineering and design with the leggy.
Only a weeks now and mine will be here!
more reviews to follow.
got a lot of crew waiting to ride my ASAP
Any news from Duotone, haven't seen any product details, or release details anywhere ?? ?
Select to expand quotePJ87 said..
Any news from Duotone, haven't seen any product details, or release details anywhere ?? ?
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Foiling/Duotone-Foil-Assist
no details but pictures. Dealers have price lists and have pre ordered.
Select to expand quotePJ87 said..
Any news from Duotone, haven't seen any product details, or release details anywhere ?? ?
Will be available, end of September according to my local dealer in QLD Australia.
A guy I was chatting to in Maui earlier this year configured his Gen2 foildrive to be backpack mounted. It was a pretty slick looking setup. The power cable was secured via a cord that was longer than his leash, similar to the Duotone setup presumably. He is a long term foildrive user who was pretty excited about the on water improvements his setup made. I would guess this sort of setup would be already on the drawing board at foildrive HQ.
Select to expand quoterobbo1111 said..
A guy I was chatting to in Maui earlier this year configured his Gen2 foildrive to be backpack mounted. It was a pretty slick looking setup. The power cable was secured via a cord that was longer than his leash, similar to the Duotone setup presumably. He is a long term foildrive user who was pretty excited about the on water improvements his setup made. I would guess this sort of setup would be already on the drawing board at foildrive HQ.
Paul at Foildrive has always been against mounting lithium batteries on one's own body due to the extreme injuries that could be suffered in the remote chance of a battery fire.
Select to expand quoteairsail said..robbo1111 said..
A guy I was chatting to in Maui earlier this year configured his Gen2 foildrive to be backpack mounted. It was a pretty slick looking setup. The power cable was secured via a cord that was longer than his leash, similar to the Duotone setup presumably. He is a long term foildrive user who was pretty excited about the on water improvements his setup made. I would guess this sort of setup would be already on the drawing board at foildrive HQ.
Paul at Foildrive has always been against mounting lithium batteries on one's own body due to the extreme injuries that could be suffered in the remote chance of a battery fire.
Well I suppose a person could always just take it off.
I rode the new Duotone Crest 800 foil + monoblock 40/PX145 tail + Dlab slim 84 mast and Midfish 38l with FD for the past 3 days. The foil has amazing speed, turns in the pocket are next level and glides better than my other brand HA foils. The mast and foil connection is super stiff. The board is great as well. I am waiting on the Duotone motor system which should be here in a week or two available from ESS Erina.
