What is Foil Drive?
Foil Drive is a modular electric assist system that turns the foil board and mast you already own into an assisted setup. The package consists of a motor, a battery, an electronics housing and a wireless remote. Your foil, board and mast stay yours — the system mounts to them.
How it works
The motor attaches to the mast either with a universal adapter that fits virtually any mast, or with an integrated mast that routes the motor cable internally. The battery and electronics mount in the board's mast tracks. Power is controlled with a wireless remote worn on the wrist.
The length of the motor cable determines how deep the motor sits. A short cable (20 cm) keeps the motor close to the board and is intended for assisted take-offs. A long cable places the motor near the wing and allows continuous riding. The cable is removable, so the same system adapts to both.
Why electric assist
Foiling improves with time spent on the water, and for most people the bottleneck is not the flying itself but getting up onto foil. Waiting for a wave, needing enough wind, or paddling technique all limit how many take-offs fit into a session.
Electric assist removes that limit. You get several times as many take-offs per session, and each one is a repetition that builds balance and your read of the conditions. The same holds for experienced foilers: smaller wings and smaller boards become usable once getting up no longer depends on power or timing.
Assist also widens the range of days worth going out at all. On flat water you can practise pumping without swimming back to the start after every fall. In marginal conditions you can still get going. A long transit to the spot no longer eats the session.
What Foil Drive is not
An assist system is not an efoil in the sense of riding under power the whole session. With a short cable, the motor is there for take-offs and transits — once you are flying it is switched off and you ride the foil normally. On the Fusion model, continuous efoil use is also possible with a longer cable, so the same system serves both roles.
Two models
Assist MAX is the all-rounder. Lighter and more versatile, balancing thrust, ride time and weight. The manufacturer recommends it for riders under 100 kg using small to mid-sized boards.
Fusion is more powerful and longer-running. More thrust and considerably more capacity, but also more weight. It is an alternative to an efoil and suits longer sessions and heavier riders.
Technical comparison
| Assist MAX | Fusion | |
| System voltage | 40 V | 43.2 V |
| Battery capacity | 332–594 Wh (depending on battery) | 864 Wh |
| Maximum thrust | 29 kg | 34 kg |
| Minimum installed weight | 4.8 kg (with MAX Sport battery) | 7.9 kg (with Fusion 860 battery) |
| Peak power | 1854 W | 2155 W |
| Sustained power | 1455 W | 1750 W |
| Ingress protection | IP68 | IP68 |
| App | Foil Drive App (iOS / Android) | Foil Drive App (iOS / Android) |
In short: choose MAX if light weight and versatility matter most. Choose Fusion if ride time and thrust matter most, and you want the same system to work as an efoil too.
Compatibility
Both models mount to virtually any mast using the universal adapter, and integrated mast solutions are available from several manufacturers. Note that boards with carbon mast tracks can suffer connection issues with the remote; the fix in that case is the optional external antenna.
Products
Foil Drive Assist MAX
Foil Drive Fusion
If you are unsure about the model, the battery or compatibility with your own gear, we are happy to help. Get in touch at info@foilingshop.com.