Foil Drive assist

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Created by

Youngbreezy > 9 months ago, 20 May 2021

hilly

7979 posts

27 May 2022 12:18pm

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camerongraham said..
Received my Plus yesterday!
Having owned the original FD I wanted a bit more grunt as I'm 90kg and want to efoil in both stances, natural and goofy, to speed up my learning curve winging my SUP board.
I also want the ability to flat water efoil as my parents have a lakefront home and when it's glassy on the lake it would be so awesome to go for a 20 minute foil. I might also be able to get my wife and adult children to try riding the efoil (throttle limit function will be perfect)
I also wanted to be able to run a smaller front wing in the surf to catch fatty waves further out
So today I did some experimentation with my 3 GF wings, M280, M200 and GT1250

I won't bore you with all the videos I tried to take from the end of the wharf on my phone, but I'll put a few in for reference

Outcome of today's initial session are:

Mast all the way forward - way too much lift even with my stance as far forward on the board as possible
GoFoils work best for me in the rearward track positions.

M280 - no need to paddle, just pull the trigger and get up and go cruising, I managed to sneak a look at my controller whilst up on foil and 80% is enough to keep my up

M200 - maybe a paddle stroke or two to get up and definitely need to keep the power above 80% to stay up

GT1250 - definitely need some paddle strokes to get up and pretty close to full throttle to stay up

All the above is on dead flat water, no bumps, no wind

New cruise function - preset at 36% so just 3 quick taps on the cruise trigger to engage. This feature is simply awesome. No more squinting in the sun or having the cruise speed vary wildly when you hit bumps or chop.

Main battery readout on controller - another awesome feature. Previously I would have to wait until I fell off (so not very long then) so I could look at the battery level in the box before I climbed back on the board

Thanks to Paul and Ben for such an awesome product and outstanding support

If you thought just pulling up at the beach/lake/river with any type of foilboard gets the general public asking questions, wait till you have to explain the electric motor on the mast ??

Sounds like I need a bigger board and foil. GT1400 and 120l board @105kg + wetsuit + FoilDrive = box underwater and loss of connection constantly, plus hard to get up. 100% would not do it on the flats, I needed a wave.
Technique needs refining and better conditions would help but a few more litres are necessary. Or God forbid less pies

johndg

227 posts

27 May 2022 1:53pm

thought you would have got up with that Hilly. A bigger foil makes a lot of difference in my limited experience.

warwickl

NSW

2357 posts

27 May 2022 4:28pm

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hilly said..

Maybe put a big foam block under the Foildrive box so it's above the water. Paint it black and nobody will notice as all will be impressed with your improved performance ?? ?? ?? ?? ??

hilly

7979 posts

28 May 2022 9:50am

Day 2 way better.

Bigger cleaner waves are easier, but the dropouts are annoying. Especially when a cleanup set comes, and you want to get out of Dodge quickly

More foam under the back foot needed.
Battery box stayed on through a couple of wipeouts and being caught inside in overhead waves. Did not expect that.
Caught a couple of solid ones early which felt good.

Battery box is way too far back causing the nose to push up and feels ordinary when up and riding. Will jam the mast back the next time. A board that allows you to mount the box closer to the mast would be better. Having to ride a big foil is not good on the bigger waves. Hopefully as my technique improves I can use a smaller front foil, the 1150 would be nice.

Hour and a half still had 41% left.

Controller mounted in front of the handle works well.

Middle finger on the throttle works well when connected. Thanks for the tip AA.

WHS

52 posts

30 May 2022 5:28am

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hilly said..
GT1400 and 120l board @105kg + wetsuit + FoilDrive = box underwater and loss of connection constantly, plus hard to get up.

I was expecting FD would allow me to downsize board, but sounds like will need a min volume for float. Trying to imagine how FD will influence next board design. Maybe narrower for less drag, longer for speed. thicker to keep box out of water. Think I just described Kalama? My current board should be fine at +30.

hilly

7979 posts

30 May 2022 6:50am

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WHS said..Think I just described Kalama? My current board should be fine at +30.

Yep got a Kalama 6 6 140l board on order

hilly

7979 posts

31 May 2022 5:40pm

Break through day today. Smooth water out to the break cruise worked most of the way. Caught an unbroken swell out the back and linked up 3 waves by staying up on foil using paddle and motor.

Killed the battery but I only had 45 mins light left after work. Did 8km in 38 mins

WHS

52 posts

2 Jun 2022 4:39am

Working on setup. Had to trim off back of pad on Hover 110 for battery placement. Before I attach velcro wondering if I should move farther forward? I'm still well behind mast (see before pic) although might need to move mast back based on what others have said. How much does moving FD battery forward effect mast placement and stance?

Armstrong mast fit is perfect at 25cm. To place at 30cm it needs plastic tape wraps. Made a plastic shim from snowboard base material that is perfect fit at lower mast position for efoil.

hilly

7979 posts

2 Jun 2022 9:46am

I moved my mast right back which made the board feel much more balanced. I would try to get the battery as close to mast as possible to reduce swing weight.

WHS

52 posts

8 Jun 2022 4:16am

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hilly said..
Yep got a Kalama 6 6 140l board on order

Interested to hear what you think of it and whether the Foildrive is any more efficient with the "early lift" Kalama design. Would love to try the 6'5" 23.5" model for DW but likely not enough stability (for me) at that width.

hilly

7979 posts

8 Jun 2022 9:33am

My concern is a bigger board will not fix the connection issues as lots of posts like this on FB. Exterior antenna is needed I reckon.

warwickl

NSW

2357 posts

8 Jun 2022 4:13pm

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hilly said..
My concern is a bigger board will not fix the connection issues as lots of posts like this on FB. Exterior antenna is needed I reckon.

I also suggested to paint the foam block black so your friends don't notice it.

windrider323

VIC

48 posts

8 Jun 2022 6:31pm

Hi all
just got my assist plus and wondering if I need to move the footstraps on my sup?

I can move my foil back an inch but can someone advise how different their foot placement is with the unit mounted when powered and also when foiling on a wave?

thanks

hilly

7979 posts

9 Jun 2022 5:49am

My feet are in totally different locations and you have to move about a lot. Way forward to get up then back to ride a wave with no power. Straps will be a challenge.

Pacey

525 posts

11 Jun 2022 6:07pm

Tried my new Foil Drive Assist today in flat water and about 5-8 knots of wind. Only got up a couple of times and that was when I was pointed downwind, no chance of going fast enough into the wind even though it was pretty light. Board was a home built 5'8" x 27" x 115L, initially foil was a Gofoil GT 1400, but switched up to an old NL 220, which is about 1565 sq. cm.

so I know it will be much easier to get up on foil once I am in waves, but for flat water, what is going to be most help, longer board or bigger foil? Note this was in efoil mode, motor low down and no paddle

MokesMax

48 posts

12 Jun 2022 5:28am

Pacey - I notice the paddle helps a lot in situations where the foil drive alone can't get you up. Getting a short boost from a few paddle strokes can get your speed up enough, then the foil you were using may be ok. Luckily it's not like pumping up on foil using a paddle only, you just need a little extra oomph. As far as board vs. foil I only have experience with changing foil size and it has a huge impact (going from 925-1125-1325-1525-1850-2400 - each makes a big difference)

hilly

7979 posts

12 Jun 2022 11:08am

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MokesMax said..
Pacey - I notice the paddle helps a lot in situations where the foil drive alone can't get you up. Getting a short boost from a few paddle strokes can get your speed up enough, then the foil you were using may be ok. Luckily it's not like pumping up on foil using a paddle only, you just need a little extra oomph. As far as board vs. foil I only have experience with changing foil size and it has a huge impact (going from 925-1125-1325-1525-1850-2400 - each makes a big difference)

Plus one on the paddle. If I chip in on a swell I can keep efoiling by paddling as well.

I would go a bigger foil and stabiliser.

Pretty sure I am going to end up on a GT1770 when they come out and the FTL20 tail.

Pacey

525 posts

12 Jun 2022 12:58pm

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hilly said.. Pretty sure I am going to end up on a GT1770 when they come out and the FTL20 tail.

I agree, just waiting for the 1770 to arrive now.

I'll take a paddle out next time I go out on the Foil Drive, should make it a bit easier to get up.

foilthegreats

770 posts

20 Jun 2022 11:24pm

Sweet prone setup by the doc: www.instagram.com/p/CfB2F5jrfk7/

Velocicraptor

839 posts

21 Jun 2022 1:21am

The cutout for the Module is pretty slick, but whats the point of the recessed foil box in that design? Is it just to reduce volume / thickness? Probably some interesting structural considerations with all of those recesses and voids against eachother.

Particularly weird to have that cutout with such a short mast (I think its a 75).

I read that he's using his tongue to operate the FoilDrive in order to free up his hands for paddling...

I definitely appreciate the experimentation, but there isn't an emoji to accurately capture all of my mixed feelings around this.

juandesooka

615 posts

21 Jun 2022 8:42am

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Velocicraptor said..
The cutout for the Module is pretty slick, but whats the point of the recessed foil box in that design? Is it just to reduce volume / thickness? Probably some interesting structural considerations with all of those recesses and voids against eachother.

Particularly weird to have that cutout with such a short mast (I think its a 75).

I read that he's using his tongue to operate the FoilDrive in order to free up his hands for paddling...

I definitely appreciate the experimentation, but there isn't an emoji to accurately capture all of my mixed feelings around this.

Looks pretty slick. Now that you mention it, not sure why the recessed mast plate ... might be effective to reduce drag from wires, but I think they are embedded in mast.

Tongue trigger? That's a new one.

Some DIY'rs are experimenting with a trigger like they are using for Boost Fin (worn on wrist); hit left button for 8 second 100% burst, right button for 30 seconds at 20% or some such.

Structural considerations: I am looking to build an efoil board. After building 15 or so regular foil boards, with the bomber HD foam I-beam connecting the decks. So it's hard to get my head around the foil mast being installed over an empty box holding the electronics. Seems the load is typically spread along the board length with embedded aluminum strips ... maybe same here.

DWF

710 posts

21 Jun 2022 7:22pm

I'm going to guess the cutout is there to give the option to run the propeller right flush with the bottom. Getting the motor more out the way.

juandesooka

615 posts

22 Jun 2022 4:58am

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DWF said..
I'm going to guess the cutout is there to give the option to run the propeller right flush with the bottom. Getting the motor more out the way.

Could be, but then the prop would hit bottom of board, and also that cutout may be partially above water line
For my FD attempts, I found any less than about 6" deep from mast connection, it would lift out too quick. However, only tried it a handful of times, so maybe with more practice the pop gets quicker.

Slyde

77 posts

23 Jun 2022 8:19am

Think I prefer my solution. Still has exteriorised cables but not sure i buy into that bottom recess.

hilly

7979 posts

24 Jul 2022 5:53pm

Enjoyable day today. Moved box forward with the plate and used a bigger wing. Much better connectivity, easier to get on foil and stay there and longer battery life including efoiling I got 60 minutes = 10km on a lumpy bumpy day. GTS1770 and 20FTL was the shizzle. Cannot wait until I get my Kalama E3 to help lift off.

Kanaelili

QLD

33 posts

13 Aug 2022 1:12pm

This photo is on the testimonials of Foil Drive. I have contacted FD if they can put me in touch with the person who wrote the testimonial. I have a board the same (135ltr) Anyone have experience on the mounting of the battery on this board? It looks like a tie down has been used.

Wingman WA

63 posts

20 Oct 2022 9:31am

About to pull the pin on a plus kit

Anyone using the 2 x small battery set up, really keen to keep the weight as low as possible but also don't want to be restricted.

Scotty Mac

2060 posts

20 Oct 2022 3:15pm

If you not planning to use for e-foiling and not intending to chase large waves if you prefer less weight you might be worth considering the assist (vs the plus). Save you some money and it's a slightly a lighter weight. I have had 3 plus our sessions using the assist for wave catching only (not using to potter in an out)

hilly

7979 posts

20 Oct 2022 2:29pm

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Scotty Mac said.. (not using to potter in an out)

I love the cruise control to get back out especially against the wind. Helps with stability as well.

Scotty Mac

2060 posts

20 Oct 2022 8:28pm

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hilly said..

Scotty Mac said.. (not using to potter in an out)

I love the cruise control to get back out especially against the wind. Helps with stability as well.

Yer sometimes I do that too Hilly but when I know I want a super long session I save the battery for catching waves. If I know I am only going to be out there a couple of hours I do the cruise control for sure!

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