Forecast was for around 15mph but nothing was happening, so decided to test the Foil Drive Assist (FDA+) in next to nothing winds.

I would say the largest community right now for FDA+ are folk using it for prone foil, downwind SUP foil etc. I have also tested it for light wind winging with good overall success. Initially I was not sure how this would work for wind foil?

Would there be too much rig pressure pining down the board? How would holding the remote and boom work etc?

If you live and foil in consistent wind locations then this maybe kinda ridiculous, but if you wind foil in super gusty areas where the wind line is a good way out there or gusts are seconds long and you need some "assistance", then this could be a viable solution for you!

Super interesting cheers Dean, saved me from doing the experiment
I think it would make sense on a good swell day when the wind is <12 knots.

Any thoughts on where the remote should be for windfoiling? I see it's your right hand. Did you switch hands at all?

I reached out to FoilDrive and asked if 2 remotes could be paired to the motor. Thinking a hard mount on each side of the boom. Their answer was NO.

Hmmm now that you say that JJ, that would be a great application for the FDA+.

We have location here where its inherently super gusty winds but good swell, now you have me thinking.

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allesad said..
Any thoughts on where the remote should be for windfoiling? I see it's your right hand. Did you switch hands at all?

I reached out to FoilDrive and asked if 2 remotes could be paired to the motor. Thinking a hard mount on each side of the boom. Their answer was NO.

I am really right hand dominate and the trigger is quite sensitive, I don't think I could control the throttle with my left hand/trigger finger.

I have heard of people taping it onto the handles of wings but then you only have it on one side of the sail.

If there is a way to figure that out, then it would be next level for gusty wind foiling.

I've used Foildrive with a wing, once your up the apparent wind builds quickly, then no need for the drive, the prop is up and out of the water creating little drag. So the main use for Foildrive is to get you going initially, as long as you keep flying it isn't needed.

So what I'm getting at is you may only need the controller taped to one side of the boom, you get foiling in that direction, once foiling your able to gybe and foil as usual in the other direction.

Plenty of secondhand Foildrive's coming up for sale now that the Gen 2 has been released, expect to pay around AUD$3000 for the Plus or about $1500 for the lower powered Assist. But there is the occasional bargain if your quick.

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airsail said..
I've used Foildrive with a wing, once your up the apparent wind builds quickly, then no need for the drive, the prop is up and out of the water creating little drag. So the main use for Foildrive is to get you going initially, as long as you keep flying it isn't needed.

So what I'm getting at is you may only need the controller taped to one side of the boom, you get foiling in that direction, once foiling your able to gybe and foil as usual in the other direction.

Plenty of secondhand Foildrive's coming up for sale now that the Gen 2 has been released, expect to pay around AUD$3000 for the Plus or about $1500 for the lower powered Assist. But there is the occasional bargain if your quick.

You are exactly right, once you get lift the wing takes over quite quickly in very little wind, here is the FDA+ with the wing.

?si=tAvVNGdOx9uh3Ym_

or just get bigger gear i can foil in 5 knots.

Nice vids Dean! Have definitely felt I needed a little push on some light wind days.interesting concept

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MilSurf said..
Nice vids Dean! Have definitely felt I needed a little push on some light wind days.interesting concept

You're welcome to try the Foil Drive out Brian the next time we get skunked

Spend those 3000 quids on a bike and go riding?

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len024 said..
or just get bigger gear i can foil in 5 knots.

Would be great to post some of the videos of pumping and jibing, so we can improve our technique. Preferably in actual 5 knots average wind that's measured on the water with an anemometer. Not long ago the numbers were 6 knots, so it sounds like a massive improvement ;)
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Foiling/Foil-Racing-Pumping-Technique?page=2

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FranckG31 said..
Spend those 3000 quids on a bike and go riding?

Which design do you recommend?

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FormuIa said..

FranckG31 said..
Spend those 3000 quids on a bike and go riding?

Which design do you recommend?

The first one looks really appealing for some reason

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FranckG31 said..
Spend those 3000 quids on a bike and go riding?

Yep, got the road bike but Floridians cannot drive and/or they hate cyclists and will run you down on purpose.

Besides foil drive you can wind foil, wing foil, prone foil, sup foil and e-foil....so pretty universal when you think about it, no?

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FormuIa said..

len024 said..
or just get bigger gear i can foil in 5 knots.

Would be great to post some of the videos of pumping and jibing, so we can improve our technique. Preferably in actual 5 knots average wind that's measured on the water with an anemometer. Not long ago the numbers were 6 knots, so it sounds like a massive improvement ;)
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Foiling/Foil-Racing-Pumping-Technique?page=2

Foiling up in true 5 knots is unbelievably hard, but I could do 5-10 mph on a 5.8 back in the day ;)

?si=W__Yzxwg4KBnzUoD

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allesad said..
Any thoughts on where the remote should be for windfoiling? I see it's your right hand. Did you switch hands at all?

I reached out to FoilDrive and asked if 2 remotes could be paired to the motor. Thinking a hard mount on each side of the boom. Their answer was NO.

Put the remote in your hand!

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FormuIa said..

FranckG31 said..
Spend those 3000 quids on a bike and go riding?

Which design do you recommend?

Definitely the 1rst she is beautiful designed

I'm planing in 6.5/7kt with my Formula gear. Almost the same with my RRD85 foil and 9m. $3000 is a lot of money for 1kt......

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pimalu said..
I'm planing in 6.5/7kt with my Formula gear. Almost the same with my RRD85 foil and 9m. $3000 is a lot of money for 1kt......

But..

you can also use FDA for other things like prone foil, sup foil, wind foil and wing foil