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MokesMax said..
With the changed setup the 1125 performed similarly to before, maybe slightly easier to get up on foil but not a huge change. For the second battery I switched to the 1850 without changing anything else and it was easier to get up, and with paddling a little harder it would work as the battery wore down into the 40's.This setup seems like a great way to learn how to pump, first to get up then reduce throttle and practice pumping to add power.

So MokesMax which do you prefer / think is the best - the 1850 or the 1125? if you could only choose one then which one?:-)

I think for my level the 1850 would be the choice for most uses. If surfing and the waves are decent size the 1850 is too big though. I'm still wondering about a bigger HA wing that would takeoff at a little lower speed but have more top end and glide. this "quiver" thing gets expensive

Now I am convinced! Sounds like a decent upgrade

It convinced me
too. Ordered one last week.

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AA said..
Now I am convinced! Sounds like a decent upgrade

It would be interesting to compare the old one with the new Plus (for us normal customers:-)

I have the original and it still does all I need. Catching waves and easy paddle back. I don't need to efoil and the extra weight equal to 2 cans of coke puts me off. If I was starting again though I would probably pay the extra for the plus model

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tomooh said..

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I have the original and it still does all I need. Catching waves and easy paddle back. I don't need to efoil and the extra weight equal to 2 cans of coke puts me off. If I was starting again though I would probably pay the extra for the plus model

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I am keen and could possibly for go the 2 cans of coke before a session ??

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For me at 90kg+, this is a nobrainer?? The plus system is waiting for a try as soon as covid has left my body. The standard has been epic too and it has taken me to another foil level. Looking forward being able to E-foil a bit too.

For me at 90kg+, this is a nobrainer?? The plus system is waiting for a try as soon as covid has left my body. The standard has been epic too and it has taken me to another foil level. Looking forward being able to E-foil a bit too.

So is the Plus a larger motor? What are the specs on the batteries? Need more info yo.

So is the Plus a larger motor? What are the specs on the batteries? Need more info yo.

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martyman said..
So is the Plus a larger motor? What are the specs on the batteries? Need more info yo.

The plus doesn't have a larger motor but the plus is considerably more powerful (higher voltage = larger power output), and combined with an upgraded battery which lasts longer and retains full power output as the battery loses charge, so no matter how much or little juice in the battery, you will always get full power. FoilDrive are very good at giving the full specs of their gear so if it isn't in their product release video it'll probably be on their website.
They also do an option for aluminum prop blades now which will also increase the thrust, and these can be used with the original model as well as the plus.
The original was (and still is) epic, but the plus will be a huge step up again in what you can do - If you only want an assist to get up on foil then the original is still fine, but if you want to efoil for any distance either on flat water or powering out back to connect multiple waves continuously with zero effort then the plus is the bomb!!!!!!!!

12ah 22v battery v 12ah 28.8v battery

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hilly said..
12ah 22v battery v 12ah 28.8v battery

It looks to me like they went from a 6s to an 8s battery, not sure if chemistry changed, but possible. Having tried the metal blades and original blades - I like the metal ones so I dont worry about them as much getting damaged, but if the box is strapped down to the board it is no longer is an issue. For performance, my seat of the pants feel is that the original white blades give a little better performance at low speeds/partial throttle whereas the metal ones take a bit more to get going. At the top end I didn't really notice a difference but perhaps the testing numbers would show something, and it sounds like at full throttle with the plus the metal blades provide extra juice.

I'm debating keeping both the original with my 2 batteries and the plus or selling the original. I guess if someone wants to buy my original one that will make the decision easy.

Sorry we have been MIA in this thread lately! The PLUS release and crazy pre-orders numbers have kept us all very busy.

I have had a quick flick through the last few comments and its awesome to see knowledge being shared around.


A few quick points i will make:
- Assist PLUS battery has changed cells and is actually now a 12.6ah 28v battery so yes it is different to the original Assist battery in both voltage capacity and cells.
- Phsyical differences of Assist to Assist PLUS are battery, charger, all electronics under the cover, box layout, and controller software and alloy prop upgrade, all other parts are the same.
- Sneaky inside goss alert, we are working on battery size options for the PLUS too, 8.4ah and 4.2ah. shhhhhh ;)
- Alloy props were specifically designed for Assist PLUS system. They require a higher RPM to produce their intended thrust levels. While the will fit the OG Assist and be more efficient we have not yet propperlly water tested them for full performance figures ect. but we have had reports of less top end dynamic thrust. Alloys on the PLUS provide higher effieciency, higher thrust, quieter/smoother running and they surface drive REALLY well.
- We still get a heap of Assist orders now that the PLUS is released. It seems the Assist is still the best option for winging and strong paddlers that just need a bit of extra help and the PLUS would be overkill.
- We want to start a Blog or knowledge center/FAQ on the website with articals from Foil Drive on common topics as well as "super users" guests ect. @MokesMAX id love to chat if your willing to write us up something of your experiences thus far.

Sorry i don't jump on here often enough, you can always prompt me to input by flicking me a quick line to ben@foildrive.com

Cheers Ben

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ninjatuna said..

This is a really cool review, one of my concerns was the impact of the propeller drag when downwinding, but it seems to be of little to no consequence.

The overall weight is primarily down to the battery size and I'd recommend Foil Assist in looking at offering smaller, downwind specific, batteries as it seems the better you get, the less battery you actually need.

I know Ivan v Vuuren tried one over here and I think he said he only used about 7-10% of the battery capacity on a 7km downwind with about 3x relaunch, that means he could easily get away with half the energy (thus save 1-1.5kg?) provided there is enough power output in the smaller capacity.

I would be keen to hear if Foil Assist think the smaller battery would work?

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FoilDrive said..
Sorry we have been MIA in this thread lately! The PLUS release and crazy pre-orders numbers have kept us all very busy.

I have had a quick flick through the last few comments and its awesome to see knowledge being shared around.


A few quick points i will make:
- Assist PLUS battery has changed cells and is actually now a 12.6ah 28v battery so yes it is different to the original Assist battery in both voltage capacity and cells.
- Phsyical differences of Assist to Assist PLUS are battery, charger, all electronics under the cover, box layout, and controller software and alloy prop upgrade, all other parts are the same.
- Sneaky inside goss alert, we are working on battery size options for the PLUS too, 8.4ah and 4.2ah. shhhhhh ;)
- Alloy props were specifically designed for Assist PLUS system. They require a higher RPM to produce their intended thrust levels. While the will fit the OG Assist and be more efficient we have not yet propperlly water tested them for full performance figures ect. but we have had reports of less top end dynamic thrust. Alloys on the PLUS provide higher effieciency, higher thrust, quieter/smoother running and they surface drive REALLY well.
- We still get a heap of Assist orders now that the PLUS is released. It seems the Assist is still the best option for winging and strong paddlers that just need a bit of extra help and the PLUS would be overkill.
- We want to start a Blog or knowledge center/FAQ on the website with articals from Foil Drive on common topics as well as "super users" guests ect. @MokesMAX id love to chat if your willing to write us up something of your experiences thus far.

Sorry i don't jump on here often enough, you can always prompt me to input by flicking me a quick line to ben@foildrive.com

Cheers Ben

Just read this again and it seems like the smaller "downwind specific" battery is under consideration. Can you give estimated total weight with the smaller battery options and will this also be offered for the standard Assist version?

Hey PeterP,

Yes, we are working on the release for 4.2ah (600grams), 8.4ah (1.15kg) to complement the standard 12.6ah (1.7kg) batteries for the Assist PLUS only.

We had a tester in Sydney take the small 4.2ah pack out for down wind testing and he motored into the wind 1km at 35% throttle then DW run back. He did that 5 times on the same pack and come in with approx 40% remaining . So a total of 5km of motoring into the wind kneeling on the board and then 5 full throttle take offs to get up for the DW leg.

The lighter weight is deffintaly noticable when pumping and turning.

Ben

I would have expected weight on the board behind the mast would counteract board nose swing weight.

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warwickl said..
I would have expected weight on the board behind the mast would counteract board nose swing weight.

That's not how moment of inertia works, weight added to either end of the board adds to the swing weight

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Pacey said..

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warwickl said..

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I would have expected weight on the board behind the mast would counteract board nose swing weight.

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That's not how moment of inertia works, weight added to either end of the board adds to the swing weight

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Ur correct

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I've got immaculate foil drive assist for sale
$2600 negotiable with both batteries or
$2200 with one battery

greetings. just ordered an assist plus after reading through this post. was considering an efoil but at 1/2 the weight and with additional even lighter battery options this is much more appealing for better foiling performance. mainly interested in getting out to the bumps in middle of lake for down-winding and more importantly getting back in when exhausted.

anyone figure out how to compensate for taper on an armstrong mast? I assume rubber or tape wrap? any disadvantage to having extra 35 cm of cable for efoiling?

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WHS said..anyone figure out how to compensate for taper on an armstrong mast?

You tell them at order what it is for and you get a fitting for your intended use. For Armstrong you might need 2 fittings if you want to efoil and use it for a boost to get onto a swell. I would talk to them.

Damn that assist plus video really got me frothing! The potential of getting into bigger swells earlier, motoring out of the impact zone and doing your own personal tow ins is absolutely epic!

Also the fact that you can use it as an Efoil is great. The whole family can use it and it's way cheaper than a normal e foil, your actually saving money really. Or at least that's what I'll tell the Mrs

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Youngbreezy said..
Damn that assist plus video really got me frothing! The potential of getting into bigger swells earlier, motoring out of the impact zone and doing your own personal tow ins is absolutely epic!

Also the fact that you can use it as an Efoil is great. The whole family can use it and it's way cheaper than a normal e foil, your actually saving money really. Or at least that's what I'll tell the Mrs

Frothing to get mine. It has been a long wait so far

Nice one Hilly, you will have to test out the big wave potential and let us know how you go! I can definitely see you chipping in real early on some of the big bombies around the SW

That is the plan

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WHS said..
greetings. just ordered an assist plus after reading through this post. was considering an efoil but at 1/2 the weight and with additional even lighter battery options this is much more appealing for better foiling performance. mainly interested in getting out to the bumps in middle of lake for down-winding and more importantly getting back in when exhausted.

anyone figure out how to compensate for taper on an armstrong mast? I assume rubber or tape wrap? any disadvantage to having extra 35 cm of cable for efoiling?

The Armstrong tapered mast is a pain for pod placement. You would definitely need two size of pods to suit e-assist and e-foil mode with armstrong. The constant profile masts of GoFoil and Axis are a lot easier to work with fine tuning a single pod.