eFoil Review | Which eFoil to Buy? | Lift3 Pro Brutally Honest Review - Verdant Ride

[@desuniahardware647]

Thanks for posting a "Consumer Reports" worthy video. Thoroughly tested in a brutally honest way with lots of great humor sprinkled in. The production value was a great bonus and was really appreciated. I'm totally subscribing!

[@VerdantRide]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@justinsearle4461]

Your insights and observations are far superior to any I have been able to find online. Thank you for making these videos!

[@VerdantRide]

Thanks man! Glad you like the show.

[@jasprice]

Very helpful - I was going to purchase the Lift4 4'9" board with the 28" mast but you changed my mind!

[@VerdantRide]

You got the pro?

[@jasprice]

No, Sport.

[@VerdantRide]

@@jasprice You liking it?

[@jasprice]

@@VerdantRide yes, glad i chose the larger mast. sometimes it gets a bit choppy. How's the Pro version? Battery length is not quite as advertised though.

[@VerdantRide]

@@jasprice Pro Version is my fave. Easier to carry, easier to ride, less likely to hit the water when carving on the sides. That said, when I travel I can usually only get my hands on a Sport and it works well enough for me for touring. I just wouldn't want it in a race or as my daily ride. The batteries aren't as advertised but getting 30 minutes on the water is usually good enough for me especially since I've got 3 of them that I can run in succession on a day when my knees aren't giving me guff and I want to keep riding.

[@mattwhitmus2354]

So, I have watched most of your videos on the lift. Nice job. Bought one this spring and another in June. Both 5'4" boards, standard mast. One is a surf 250 wing the other is a surf 200. Had time issues also, so invested more in a high aspect 200 wing setup. Supposed to be more efficient... a little gain in time. Using bicycle gps unit, we ride average at 14 mph and run about 55 minutes. It starts and stops the timer if we stop. With the new wing, I loved its new feel, but still disappointed w ride time, so I talked to lift. They sent me propguardless tail cones. Said that was the cure. Barely tested today. More to come. Little gain so far. But most importantly, the ride changed so much! Like going from a Harley on a windy road vs a crotch rocket on a windy road. Carves so much better and smoother!!! I would try it to see if it helps ride time. Also, NO motor propwash vibration! So quiet and smooth now! My riding group is 165 to 205lbs. We all get close to same ride time.

[@VerdantRide]

I'll have to check the cones out. I'm visiting the factory next week to see what new stuff is coming. If they let me shoot video, I'll record what's allowed.

[@VerdantRide]

So my fav rig is the 4'2" with a 100 surf front 36 glide. I'm hitting a cruising speed of just over 26mph and I love the banking g-forces at that speed. Battery cooks fast though. With my constant s-turns I can Casper a battery in 25 minutes easy. Today I should be getting my Lift4 with LCS, camber pro wing and the new battery. I'll report with a review video as soon as I get it wet.

[@perdidomar]

Man, your videos are great. I purchased a 5'4" 3F about a month ago and love it. The original battery ended up getting a crack in the case after only about 10 rides and I babied everything. Lift was great about replacing it and they said that was very unusual. I look forward to more videos from you this summer.

[@VerdantRide]

Great to hear! I'll be uploading a 2024 episode soon.

[@tonyclark67]

Really appreciate the honesty in this review, cheers.

[@VerdantRide]

Always!

[@andreitudose3838]

I've been watching a lot of reviews of things because digital window shopping is my pastime now :)) and I have to say I could always feel some degree of biased opinions on most reviews even tho they were saying they are 100% unbiased. And I'm not saying in most situations it was intentional by the reviewer no, It's just that even thou they might've had more to say shedding a bad light on an issue they might've involuntarily not mentioned it trying to risk damaging a firm's reputation. However that is not truly the degree of unbiased review I'm searching for recently, so with that being said I can honestly praise this review as truly showing the ups and downs of a product creating an authentic unbiased opinion based on trials and test data and actually helping the firm improve there product even further for there reputation and the consumer satisfaction resulting in every one of us having a blast on the water.

[@VerdantRide]

Lift builds a fantastic board and it is lead by someone who is absolutely passionate about eFoiling. Sure, their logo sucks, their brand management isn't always spot-on, and yes, they've shipped some products that don't meet what I'd call superior quality. I'll say this though, their 4th generation has so far proven to exceed even my exceptionally high expectations. Most of my complaints in this video have been solved. I choose the smallest board and tiny wings so difficulty getting up is more on me than them but that's the price of going fast and nimble. I've not yet received the Gen4 battery but hoping that it hits their advertised claims. If not, I'll report the heck out of it. Thanks for the kudos. I'll keep doing my best to pump out the info you seek and remain honest about my reporting.

[@billhaynswo]

Wow, a review that actually says more than, “what a great board!” All the time I read about quality issues on the Lift FB page, ya know, owners complaining about the batteries, the remotes, the cables, etc., but then I watch reviews and hear nothing but, oh how great! 5 stars! Blah blah blah… and ya know why? Cause those reviewers have a stake in selling Lift boards, so no truths percolate up and into their reviews. Thanks for the honest review. That’s what I need to hear before popping for a $13k toy.

[@VerdantRide]

Maybe… I'm not sure why the reviewers seem to be wearing rose-colored glasses. I nearly released a show that was all positive about the Gen-4 many times last season but kept holding off because I just knew that I should keep testing. I'm glad I did because time and experience with the board did reveal some issues worth exploring.

[@michaelvadney5803]

Really nice production video, thanks! I have a GetFoil foil and I typically does 1.5 hour sessions at half speed. I usually stop with 50+ percent left in the battery. Half speed makes a big difference. I wish I could go full throttle, but I just not there yet. I'm usually around 13-15 mph because I'm still learning this thing. Its taken me forever to get reasonably good at it. i.e. mile+ rides. I'd love to see you try other boards knowing how well you construct your videos. Thanks again.

[@VerdantRide]

Me too! I'll make a much more concentrated effort to getting other brands to let me review their boards next season.

[@hhhancock167]

Nice video. Based on your humorous assembly video -- I think you have the 150 SurfV2 Front Wing and 38 SurfV2 Rear Wing. Your carving looked awesome. I started with that set up and then changed out the Rear Wing to a 32 Glide and then to a 26 Carve (the 26 Carve makes the fuselage 3" shorter so it makes the board pitchier). The board got looser (more pitch, yaw and roll). Felt more unstable at first but then more fun after a few hours of practicing with it. Then I went with the folding prop (150 Front Wing and 26 Carve Rear Wing). Took another a few hours to get used to it but now that's my favorite set-up. I have only been on a lake at this point but look forward to trying it in the ocean swell soon. I am a 150lbs.

[@kippywylie]

I too have the folding prop (on the 4'9", 32" mast) but after many months I still struggle and often go back to the standard prop with no guard.

[@InigoMontoyaFA]

Out of curiosity, do you use the light or full range battery?

[@hhhancock167]

@@InigoMontoyaFA Not sure if you are asking me but I use the full range battery. I recently got the 100 SurfV2 front wing and use it with 32" mast, 26 Carve and folding prop. I didn't love it at first but after a few sessions, I got comfortable with increased speed and now love it. You can go so much faster and it's easy to hold down with your front foot because it's so small. It now makes the 150 SurfV2 wing seem pretty slow moving. I'm 150lbs and get about 55-60 minutes on this set up.

[@VerdantRide]

Yup! Now I'm on the Lift4, with the 100Surf/36Glide. This is my favorite combo for speed and carving. I've got a 60Surf/24Carve and it is just for speed but ultimately too small to carve deep. Thanks for the kudos.

[@tor4866]

Nice review. I’m on Takuma Carver v2, a 5’3 board so easy to get going. I can get near to the riding time advertised when going straight line with moderate speed. When carving hard, which uses a lot more power, the time drops considerably as expected. 170 lbs rider weight. I tried Awake Vinga board here last weekend, the Swedish premium brand. They blow all other boards out of the water including Lift & flightboard. Perfect relatively easy going board size of 4’7 and 11 kW jet propulsion engine! Engineering details are top notch, and the click & ride system works! No cables whatsoever! Top notch prize tag as well as expected.

[@Fluterra]

No way. Fliteboard kills Awake in hydrodynamic design, efficiency and aesthetics. And stop calling it a “jet’. It’s not a jet, it’s a prop in an enclosure. No pro will ride a jet. You lose efficiency and power.

[@tor4866]

Not a prop, an impeller… The “enclosure” is a nozzle which increase the speed of the water hence the “jet” notation. But efficiency is usually a tad lower in an “jet”, but far safer. However if you have superior FETs in the ESC, higher voltage in the battery and better magnets in the brushless engine total system efficiency might still be higher.

[@VerdantRide]

I'll call it a, "Jet," if I want. Hell, I'll call it a, "Jeff," if I want too. Semantics matter not. Performance is all that I care about. Jeff's performance ok for beginners but way too slow for me, so I won't be buying a Jeff anytime soon.

[@OldmanCrypto100]

I have a gen 4 and its super quiet. I never even thought about noise until you brought it up.

[@VerdantRide]

All my boards are super quiet now. Just needed a new speed controller. Lift sent it and I swapped it and all's well.

[@goodmorningsky]

Very nice and well made review video. Thank you!

[@sandman5880]

Totally agree with the disappointing ride time. I ride a Lift 3F with 200 Surf V2. I weigh about 196lbs. Controller set to 8 and I never go full blast on that setting. I get about 60 minutes ride time. I contacted Lift about how they can advertise 'up to 100 minutes' and I get nearly 40% less. Ok weight does come into it and I wasn't expecting the full 100 minutes but maybe 80 minutes would be nice. They thought I was doing great with 60 minutes. Of course they would say that. They go on to say a HA wing and tail cone will give me even more time. Not really the point. Lift need to be more forthcoming about ride times and give consumers a realistic expectation of rider weight/wings vs ride time. (got a tail cone but only gave me an extra 5 minutes.)

[@mikeb1039]

How much time are you flying? Max time is all about being up on the foil. We regularly get 80-90 minutes and i'm 230lbs. Daughter in law got close to 2 hrs at 120lbs. Way too many variables to count it against Lift. Our time went up 15 ish minutes going from 200 to 300 wing.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

​@@mikeb1039 I know absolutely nothing about these things, but I was wondering about how the ride time would be affected by riding it at slower speeds while cruising with it's hull on the surface of the water, versus riding it at higher speeds with the hull up out of the water. I wonder how you're able to get nearly 2 hours of ride time, while ^the OP is only getting half that much time(??) Is it just much less energy efficient at certain speeds?

[@mikeb1039]

@@HighlanderNorth1 Yes, HUGE difference from riding on the surface to up on the foil. Something like 90% of the drag goes away once in "flight" so yes, Lifts claims are going to be from experienced riders (they are) spending all their time on the foil. It also takes a great deal of energy to get going and up onto foil from a stop, so every time you fall you burn up extra juice versus good riders spending all their time upright. Speed as well, we have ours set at 8 and nobody has cared about going faster than that to date. Of course it would burn a lot more energy to be at 15. And then there's body weight.... PS - I FORGOT the fact that we are running BIG wings (250HA and 300 surf) and accordingly going at probably slower speeds that many(?) but the big wings give lots of lift. A WHOLE lot more than a 200!! (have 1 too)

[@HighlanderNorth1]

@@mikeb1039 Yeah, I kinda expected it to take a lot more energy to "take off" and get up onto the foil. Same with taking off in a plane. But once you get airborne and up to an ideal altitude, level flight becomes more energy efficient, similar to cruise control in a car. I'd heard of these things a few years ago, but surprisingly I just heard of battery powered surfboards for the first time earlier today. Before looking up prices for battery powered surfboards, I (wrongly) guess-timated they'd fall into a price range of about $2,000 - $5,000, maybe slightly more for a higher end model. But turns out the good ones run for between $12,000 - $20,000, which just blows my mind! You could buy a brand new sport bike for the lower end part of that range!

[@mikeb1039]

@@HighlanderNorth1 Early adoption is always expensive. There are a lot of high end components used in these. The battery alone is 4k. Everything is carbon fiber. Waterproofing electrical components with voltages that can kill is not a task to be cheapened. That's not a bicycle hub motor in there. Prices will come down with more competition. Sea Doo is coming out with an E foil in 24 and mass marketing will drive prices down. In the meantime I'll have 4 years of fun with my Lift. :) (I'm 63 and couldn't wait 5 years for them to come down). LIft does make a fiberglass model now with a smaller battery (60 min) that is 10k and off season sales $500 off. FWIW PS - My sportbike, jet ski and E bikes all have gotten VERY little use since I got the Lift..... I may sell them all and get another. Or a Fliteboard to try the "other" side.

[@kylegonzalez5842]

I had the chance to demo the 56 comfort then a 46 pro and man was I a beginner but I can say they are worth 12k for a reason the finished product is like a sports car with so many carbon parts. I asked if there are other companies doing Efoils in the 5k range from a guy who brought his own (loyal lift customer). He said there are others but they lack almost all the features of lift. The nice thing I liked that other foils don’t have is responsive throttle inputs. You press buttons on those with is slow and less control. The lift cornered well and slowed/ accelerated super well and responsive

[@VerdantRide]

They truly are a blast to ride!

[@alfred.g7521]

I'm a relatively new rider and had a few sessions before mastering my 4'8 . (Self made 28kg include battery. Full carbon) it's freaken awesome now.

[@wdavidson4761]

Cool… do you have a build video up? Cheers to your ingenuity

[@VerdantRide]

Great job!

[@VerdantRide]

What's a build video? You mean assembly? Sure. It's on here. Kinda boring as it pretty much just requires 8 bolts to screw in and the job's done.

[@HHO64]

Mahalo for the honest review! Think I’ll go with an off brand. 🤙🏾

[@VerdantRide]

But that's the opposite of what I said to do :P I tried a Waydoo last summer and to be honest, I don't think I'd have stayed with this sport if that was my only experience. It was a truly crappy ride in comparison to the Lift.

[@axecapital1]

Thank you for honest review , I thought the same when I read 100min on batteries … maybe some future with new tech . Also that low quality control on $12k is sad .

[@VerdantRide]

They fixed everything with a simple part. All is well.

[@remyruff]

It depends largely on rider weight, skill level and foil choice. My 8 year old rips for 2+ hours on a HA 200 and a few minutes less on the V2 150 surf which is amazing for the 4'9 board. At 170 lbs I ride 90min no problem. We do take the silly prop shroud off,, it costs a lot of riding time not 5 min less another poster said. Lift foils are top premium not only in efoil but all foiling sports. That's not the case with other brands like Flight. We use the same 150 surf v2 for winging. Amazing foil in waves. PS mine is very quiet and no vibration at all

[@VerdantRide]

Lift fixed mine. No problem.

[@meshmellow]

Have 2 lift3 boards (4.2 and 5.4) both 28 and 32 mast and non have vibrations or noise issues. Re the takeoff with the 4.2, with some practice you will be able to popup at low speed. Cosider it has 56l of volume. 🤙

[@VerdantRide]

I got it my first try. I still get tons of splash and eat it now again when I get a bit too impatient but it's all worth it once I start carving.

[@mrcc-chan]

Could you review Waydoo's new product?

[@VerdantRide]

I could. If I had a board from them I would have already. I've ridden one of their first 1 or 2 gen boards. I wasn't impressed. I suspect they've gotten better but I doubt they are up to the level of my Lift4 Pro. If they send me their newest, lightest, fastest, board I'll put it through its paces and report honestly about what I discover.

[@KV-lj6el]

Very good honest review. I wonder is there any info about the batterys of the other top brands?

[@VerdantRide]

I think that all batteries with tech this new is gonna have some issues. The best bet is going with a brand that will make it right when something goes wrong and so far, LIFT has been a freak'n champ about that.

[@grisdon1]

I am a rookie! Beginner intermediate. I'm kinda mad at you because I have now invested more $$$ but worth EVERY $$$. (thanks). What is the difference in your foot stance/placement if any? As far as the loudness. I have a 4.9 board and the only change is the mast length and noticed a great difference in loudness ( I don't think it is the/your shorter board) I could be wrong. However: It is worth every decibel!!! The control is sooooo much better!!! LOVE YOUR VIDS!!! KEEP IT UP!!! Oh, by the way I'm a 6 foot 230lb guy.

[@drjalemar]

What's your setup?

[@grisdon1]

@@drjalemar E3 4.9 board, 32 inch mast, 200 surf front and 38 rear wing.

[@kippywylie]

@@grisdon1 I have your same set-up and I'm not experiencing loud noise. Note: I love my Aftershokz bone conducting waterproof buds, with music streaming from my phone in a whitewater case

[@VerdantRide]

They sent me a new prop and it did get a little quieter and cut down on the vibes a bit. I'm guessing I had a bad hamster in the sprocket somewhere and as soon as they saw the audio waveform their engineers knew exactly which hamster it was. They weren't all that interested in telling me more info than that and it wasn't for a lack of me asking questions about it. But next week I'm visiting the Lift factory so perhaps I'll learn more while there.

[@mariodelapena9998]

I buy my new lift foil! With the new 180 ha wing and folding prop. For carve and high speed wich wing you recomend me? 110 ha? 160 camber? 100 surf! Normally I use the foil at flat water!! But with the 180 I feel with a lot of lift

[@VerdantRide]

I hear that. 100 Surf is my fave.

[@schulzaboy77]

Great video! What's your setup for filming while you ride?

[@et_intuition]

I use an insta360 R. The drone shots are the PowerEgg X with the float kit kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHfPqZ-XjKemetk

[@VerdantRide]

Yeah, I've been shooting with the Insta360 cameras. This one was either shot with the R or the X2, can't quite remember. They just sent me an X3 so I'm looking forward to giving that a whirl next season.

[@schulzaboy77]

@@VerdantRide Thanks! How do you mount it to your board to go hands free? Suction cup?

[@VerdantRide]

@@schulzaboy77 I used to use a suction cup surf mount but lost a GoPro in 2021 so now I use a permanently adhered GoPro mount connected to a carbon fiber 1' extension pole. The red thing you see on the tip of my board is a float attached to the base of the rod just incase it disengages from the snap in mount.

[@VerdantRide]

@@schulzaboy77 This is what a carbon fiber rod with a hip mount. Certainly not the best rig for intense carving because as light as it is still throws you off balance a bit, but the shots are drone-like kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3WViYOqq9R0e7s

[@timt1346]

I got to ride a V4 last week and it was virtually silent. I could barely hear it at all when up on foil. I didn't get to go rip on it, but the newest model was a lot quieter than I was expecting for some reason.

[@VerdantRide]

They are silent. No kidding around.

[@Stephen98123]

What foil and tail are you using. I love lift. I ride it e every day.

[@VerdantRide]

I use a wide range of wings and tails and change them up all the time. Each config has its own personality speed and carving profile. I can't say I like one more than the other.

[@mikeb1039]

My motor doesn't sound anything like that. Except when it's loaded with sea weed. I think the motor has an issue. Between the loud motor and the fast battery drain you seem to have a problem. Sorry for your troubles. Ive had zero issues and get their advertised ride time, so it's not the "norm". I'd be pissed too though!

[@VerdantRide]

I'm not pissed. I love my boards and the ride they provide. I just want to help them get better. I disagree that a longer mast makes new riders crash more. I put it on my larger Sport board and EVERYONE liked it better and crashed WAY less. That extra length means less effort keeping the board at the perfect height.

[@isiglz]

7:28 the new lift 4 is silent compared to these

[@VerdantRide]

It really is dead silent!

[@db9062]

How much do you weigh? I’m 200lbs and have the 2nd generation Sport 5’2”. Not sure if if I’m too heavy for the 4’2”

[@VerdantRide]

You'll be fine!

[@proxority]

Do you have any recommendations for a somewhat affordable used e-foil for beginners?

[@VerdantRide]

The Lift3F for

[@jack-t6d7u]

have you changed your mind- maybe defective unit i just rode a 4-9 lift 3 that i rented with a extended batter with a 170 high aspect foil for over 2 hours and still had 15% on the indicator. i am 205 pounds- just wondering if you have any comments

[@VerdantRide]

I've not changed my mind about anything. My board had issues and Lift did replace the speed controller and it fixed the problem. I love the form factor of the pro boards and bought a Lift 4. It is now my favorite ride sporting the tall mast, 100 Surf V2/ and a 32 Glide stab. That config rocks!

[@kippywylie]

Regarding time of your rides? I'm seeing you on a flat lake with a smaller speed oriented wing setup? Generally with the 170 I'm at least riding an hour.... almost all at lower motor rpms. I weight 160, on a 4'9", and choppy waters. I've got a friend skilled with the folding prop & 170 who almost always gets 90 and last week got close to 3 hours (tons of throttle off gliding wakes)

[@VerdantRide]

I ride really REALLY fast. I come from wakeboarding and slalom skiing and I am into this sport for carving. I think if I went slow and straight, I'd be out there longer but I'd also be bored.

[@ARandomSub]

Getfoil gang going strong so far

[@VerdantRide]

I've not tied one yet but as far as I can tell, they are WAY too dang big and the masts way to dang short. I'll keep upgrading boards until they are as small as my wakeboard. I want to go fast and carve like crazy. All the footage of GetFoil are people going straight and look like they are struggling to do that.

[@ryanrodriguez70]

My lift battery only charges to 90%. Yup my battery only last 40 minutes and my friends has the same set up and roughly the same weight his battery last nearly 90 minutes

[@ryanrodriguez70]

Also try the folding prop it’s much quieter.

[@VerdantRide]

Being on flat-water, I've got little use for a folding prop but I will be testing a toroidal propeller pretty soon here on the channel.

[@cyumadbrosummit3534]

Had a battery go bad on my 4'2" lift after only 5 rides (blinking Red lights of doom). This is very concerning especially for such an expensive toy.

[@VerdantRide]

This GPT can answer all your questions about the battery lights. chatgpt.com/g/g-fwDABnTTY-verdant-ride-efoil-news-reviews-advice

[@idewydewi1]

Waydoo is the quietest board out there

[@VerdantRide]

Not in my experience.

[@Fluterra]

Fliteboard is dominating. No reason to get a Lift.

[@VerdantRide]

I'd love to try one but they aren't so interested in letting me try one. I assure you if given the opportunity, I'd review the heck out of it.

[@Fred-nv8gf]

I agree. Great product. No issues what so ever.

[@Fluterra]

@@VerdantRideKeep trying - it will be worth it! BTW, I am 185Lbs and get 1.5 hours on the Explorer battery averaging over 20 kph.

[@VerdantRide]

How do you actually ride your board that slowly? Isn't that like 13mph. You need to go at least 22MPH to make deep carves possible.@@Fluterra

[@Fluterra]

@@VerdantRide it's all about the wings. With Flite, you can be flying at ~15 kph even with a larger rider. I didn't say I make deep carves at 20kph, just giving an idea for max run time.

[@Coach_Rolando]

Get a Fliteboard them you will realize the differences in quality and performance and realize how far behind Lift is.

[@VerdantRide]

Do you have a Lift and a Fliteboard?

[@Coach_Rolando]

@@VerdantRide No... I have 3 Fliteboard cause I give lessons...I tried the Lift and Fliteboard before I invested...Dont get me wrong...they were the first on the market...but that was their biggest mistake...for the fact that they already had a "foil platform"...they rushed into putting in the market and the motor and the electronics came out as a "second after thought"...Unlike Flite who designed everything around the motor and it electronics...Better range, better stability, better connection, better compact and easy to control controller and better quality control. But you dojnt have to take my opinion...all the friends that I have who have a lift foil...end up getting Flite afterwards...For instance....Look at the "jet" that Flite has and compare it to what Lift came up with...there is not even a fair comparison.

[@VerdantRide]

I'd never get a jet on any board but I don't see the performance advantage in Fliteboards. Why do I always crush Flite Racers in the course? Their boards seem slow and unable to power out of the turns as fast as those of us on Lift Pros. @@Coach_Rolando

[@Coach_Rolando]

@@VerdantRide I don’t use the jet either… I’m talking about innovation and better quality material and electronics… have you seeing how many lift batteries catches on fire? Look at the size of your “electronics” inside of your board and look at Flite… but is all good you are passionate about your lift as much I’m to my Flite…Now what matter is that they are both good brands by far the best in comparison to the others and hopefully the sport will grow enough to one day we get to see in “Efoil tournaments or championship races”… them we will find out what will be the best brand. The sport is growing and I’m 54, so I hope to be alive to see that battle one day lol lol … keep on flying brother.