Forums > Stand Up Paddle Foiling

Foil Assist update please

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Created by warwickl > 9 months ago, 10 Mar 2023
warwickl
NSW, 2351 posts
10 Mar 2023 6:34PM
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Foil Assist has been available for a while now with many purchasing.
I am looking for comments for:
* is it still a benefit or was it just a novelty?
* is the Assist Plus the best option?
* who uses it for multiple activities eg, windwing, efoiling on flat water, anything else.

I am asking due to interest in the Foil Assist Plus for multiple uses.

Thanks

airsail
QLD, 1535 posts
10 Mar 2023 8:05PM
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Go the Plus, the standard is only really suitable for surf sup and winging. The Plus is very versatile, prone, sup, winging and just Efoil. Light wind winging from about 7 knots, any lighter I just go prone in the wind chop.

Always order the longer length cable, 1800 minimum so enough length for prone. The alloy prop is brilliant, no more blade breakages.


Kids love it too, a great introduction to foiling and you can tweak the power down until they get used to controlling it.

Join the Facebook Foil Drive Owners Group, lots of ideas and advice.

mikesids
143 posts
10 Mar 2023 7:26PM
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Started with the Assist in late 2021, upgraded to the Plus mid last year. Mainly use for Sup foiling ( though I also Wingfoil regularly but don't use it for that) - total game changer for me. Regularly getting 25-30 waves a session now, and I'm talking long rides from way out, 30-40 seconds at a time, at a beach that isn't known for its surf. If you don't think that's very long try timing the average surfer's ride, at my spot they tend to be around 10 secs. So no, not a novelty at all- has really opened up Sup foiling for me after a couple of years of prior frustration. Looking at getting into downwinding with it , still early days but I ain't getting any younger so it will be a good help I'm sure - DWing has a high cardiac load . Will allow me to use my normal SUPfoil board hopefully

eppo
WA, 9686 posts
10 Mar 2023 9:00PM
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From what ive witnessed first hand in the water . this is no gimmick!!! Almost makes me want to change my sexuality and start suppiing. Versatile and a game changer for accessing waves. from what ive witnessed anyhow.

MokesMax
48 posts
10 Mar 2023 11:16PM
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I've had both versions, get the plus if you want the versatility for all sports - also with the plus you can get a small battery for winging which saves a lot of weight. Definitely not a gimmick for the sup surfing aspect - you can surf when no one else can (except for the amazing flat water paddle up-ers). For winging it's not necessary after you are really good at getting up, however it will let you use a size down on wing or foil which could be helpful for wave winging.

Slyde
77 posts
12 Mar 2023 2:16AM
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Definitely not a gimmick. I bought an assist plus mid 2022. Shes pricey but of all the waterman gear I have in my shed this has had the most use over our crappy la nina summer. Paid itself off in spades. I have SUP foiled it, prone foiled it, taught my son to foil on it, practiced pumping, and now its getting me into downwind. About to go out for a microbump session with it now. Last year I would have laughed at the thought. Gamechanger.

Wingman WA
WA, 57 posts
16 Mar 2023 5:39PM
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Don't do it, you will hate it, watch this video for the proof !!

Supmaori
746 posts
27 Mar 2023 2:50PM
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Game changer for sure. Never take mine off

eppo
WA, 9686 posts
28 Mar 2023 7:22AM
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If you Sup and foil - why the hell wouldnt you have one, is the real question. So tempted to
join the brown side.

churry
NSW, 18 posts
28 Mar 2023 10:26AM
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Maybe if you have unlimited amounts of cash!

Youngbreezy
WA, 1197 posts
28 Mar 2023 9:15PM
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Select to expand quote
eppo said..
If you Sup and foil - why the hell wouldnt you have one


$4600 is probably why most sup foilers don't have one or $6000 if you want it integrated into an aluminium mast!
After one session out foiling with the wingman I was totally sold, gotta have one! But then I saw the price and remembered my mortgage might have to wait a while.

eppo
WA, 9686 posts
30 Mar 2023 6:47AM
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Select to expand quote
Youngbreezy said..

eppo said..
If you Sup and foil - why the hell wouldnt you have one



$4600 is probably why most sup foilers don't have one or $6000 if you want it integrated into an aluminium mast!
After one session out foiling with the wingman I was totally sold, gotta have one! But then I saw the price and remembered my mortgage might have to wait a while.


Yeh fair point. Kinda doubles most peoples foil cost quiver in one blow. But hey . only live once and we arent getting any younger.

hilly
WA, 7857 posts
30 Mar 2023 8:09AM
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Ha ha I have 2, as heading off around the island I do not want 2 to 3 weeks downtime if I have an issue, they are that good.

hilly
WA, 7857 posts
30 Mar 2023 8:16AM
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Best feeling

?feature=share

Thanks www.larryfoiler.com/ for the vid.

Youngbreezy
WA, 1197 posts
30 Mar 2023 11:57AM
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Yeah don't get me wrong I am definitely keen as just don't have the extra cash for it at the moment and the technology is only going to get better!

What excites me most is how it could open up alot of really epic untapped spots around WA. We have alot of open ocean bombie waves with powerful fast moving swells. These spots can produce amazing rides but are difficult to negotiate under paddle power. The foil drive would make it super fun and you would have them to yourself.

nesup
40 posts
31 Mar 2023 5:27AM
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If you like tinkering you can make one. I had made boards before but hadn't done anything with electronics and really enjoyed figuring it all out. It works a treat. It took me a while but saved me a lot of money (if you count the time as free). There is a thread on foil.zone dedicated to DIY versions: foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927

Here is a video with some of my build here in England.

hilly
WA, 7857 posts
31 Mar 2023 7:07AM
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Select to expand quote
nesup said..
If you like tinkering you can make one. I had made boards before but hadn't done anything with electronics and really enjoyed figuring it all out. It works a treat. It took me a while but saved me a lot of money (if you count the time as free). There is a thread on foil.zone dedicated to DIY versions: foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927

Here is a video with some of my build here in England.


Really admire what you have done. I would also need to buy the printer and all other software and equipment. And spent heaps of time learning how to use it. Prefer to be out on the water

Dick Tatta
NSW, 344 posts
6 Apr 2023 12:26PM
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Warwick,
DJ has just posted a great video on Standup zone called "no wind no worries "

Shows how to efoil using the foil drive.

Ive got one on order can't wait

A-mate of mine has a flight board and he,smart bastard,negatively shimed the foil and it took away all the front foot pressure that's needed.

So we kinda hoping that it will work,when you're efoiling the foil drive.

Another mate went to a prone foil course and they used the foil drive as a teaching aid.

Dick Tatta
NSW, 344 posts
6 Apr 2023 12:26PM
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Warwick,
DJ has just posted a great video on Standup zone called "no wind no worries "

Shows how to efoil using the foil drive.

Ive got one on order can't wait

A-mate of mine has a flight board and he,smart bastard,negatively shimed the foil and it took away all the front foot pressure that's needed.

So we kinda hoping that it will work,when you're efoiling the foil drive.

Another mate went to a prone foil course and they used the foil drive as a teaching aid.

eppo
WA, 9686 posts
6 Apr 2023 10:31AM
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Whose DJ?? Vid please??

Dick Tatta
NSW, 344 posts
6 Apr 2023 12:36PM
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Hey mate it's on Standup zone I think it's American site very similar to Seabreeze.

There is only one David John

airsail
QLD, 1535 posts
6 Apr 2023 1:11PM
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I rarely use my Foildrive plus in full efoil mode, gets boring quickly on super flat water. But, run the pod at around 30cm with a bit of breeze for a little bit of windchop and Moreton Bay here in Brissy turns into a playground as you chase micro swells.
I have a 74ltr lightweight wing board that works great, gets 20-25 minutes out of a battery. Just prone, no need for a paddle.

Dick Tatta
NSW, 344 posts
6 Apr 2023 2:11PM
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Sounds fun

Are you talking 30cm from the board or the fuselage???
I brought it to sup paddle on to waves at the river mouth plus to learn to wing foil better tacks gybes etc.

eppo
WA, 9686 posts
6 Apr 2023 3:11PM
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Well look at these two flogs having a damn ball as usual.

.be

warwickl
NSW, 2351 posts
6 Apr 2023 6:17PM
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Looks great, this just makes it hard for me to decide- do I buy another Fliteboard or a Foil Assist?
Fliteboard opens up a much bigger range of fun in my opinion however, Foil Assist reduces the amount of additional gear required.
No I am not getting both.
At the moment getting 5 days a week average windwing so motivation is low for more stuff.

airsail
QLD, 1535 posts
6 Apr 2023 9:11PM
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Select to expand quote
Fitzsup said..
Sounds fun

Are you talking 30cm from the board or the fuselage???
I brought it to sup paddle on to waves at the river mouth plus to learn to wing foil better tacks gybes etc.


30cm down the mast from the board, the mast is 85 cm long.


As for a fliteboard or foil assist, the foil assist is so much lighter, it's more like surfing than efoil. Once on a wave or winging the motor is out of the water and you can power down.

It is also great for light wind winging, no need for anything bigger than a 5mtr wing ever and no pumping required.

Dick Tatta
NSW, 344 posts
7 Apr 2023 6:28AM
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Select to expand quote
said..

Fitzsup said..
Sounds fun

Are you talking 30cm from the board or the fuselage???
I brought it to sup paddle on to waves at the river mouth plus to learn to wing foil better tacks gybes etc.



30cm down the mast from the board, the mast is 85 cm long.


As for a fliteboard or foil assist, the foil assist is so much lighter, it's more like surfing than efoil. Once on a wave or winging the motor is out of the water and you can power down.

It is also great for light wind winging, no need for anything bigger than a 5mtr wing ever and no pumping required.


Thx mate for the info.

Seen a lot of videos on motor placement,so appreciate your input

Im basically lazy so the idea of not pumping appeals to me

Dspace
VIC, 320 posts
7 Apr 2023 8:14AM
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I've always casually considered a traditional efoil to play with but I'm starting to recognize some real advantages of the assist +.
One thing that really intrigues me from the original foil drive assist + promotion, is not just the ease of getting up in almost any swell without all the exhausting paddling, but the ability to quickly power your way back out through partially breaking slop to start all over. At 65 with a questionable right knee I just don't have the continuous pumping power the youngsters have!

Dick Tatta
NSW, 344 posts
7 Apr 2023 8:34AM
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Yeah know the feeling

Im buying one because I'm sick of being out paddled by younger guys.

the fliteboards are fun,but I can't justify the huge expense.

The real plus is you can find crappy waves paddle into them,and still have a blast without the crowds.

there's a foil drive facebook page with great info

The other plus is you can convert any board.

Dick Tatta
NSW, 344 posts
7 Apr 2023 8:34AM
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Yeah know the feeling

Im buying one because I'm sick of being out paddled by younger guys.

the fliteboards are fun,but I can't justify the huge expense.

The real plus is you can find crappy waves paddle into them,and still have a blast without the crowds.

there's a foil drive facebook page with great info

The other plus is you can convert any board.



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"Foil Assist update please" started by warwickl