Foil Drive Gen2: Is it worth the money? Is it right for you? A complete beginner's guide.

[@user-hh5tn9rz1f]

I use stoke. It's quick to install and you can freely choose the propeller position. It's half the price of FD. Why FD?

[@hydrofoilacademy]

This is the first time I’ve used FD. I will be doing a Stoke V FoilDrive review very soon.

[@leapnlarry]

I have elbow tendinitis from kitesurfing and winging, i am considering getting a foil drive so i can ride without stressing out my elbow. Im going to be in the outer banks of NC for 3 weeks this fall, and I want to spend as much time in the water as possible. Larry

[@hydrofoilacademy]

Sorry to hear that mate. Hope it gets better and you can wing again soon.

[@RamonSBruhn]

Great Review. 1) Do you feel the extra weight when carving 2) When you use it for dw do you use it also to go upwind first 3) How long does it take to put it on and off your foil ? 4) What is the maintenance needed? Thanks

[@hydrofoilacademy]

Yes, you do feel some extra weight but with the max battery (the biggest one) it’s very well balanced. Takes a few sessions to get used to it. Yes, I do power upwind first then DW. This eats up battery power but it’s a really good way of doing it. Maintenance is very minimal to be honest. Just wash and dry after each use. I can now put in on from scratch in about 15mins. But when it’s left on the mast and already taped it’s a matter of minutes. The first time took me much longer than this.

[@svensshed1564]

I love my Gen 1 and I do wish I had the readies to buy a gen 2

[@hydrofoilacademy]

The Gen1 is still a great bit of kit!

[@Bigd0gg]

Excellent preview mate much appreciated!

[@hydrofoilacademy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@leapnlarry]

I have elbow tendinitis from kitesurfing and winging, i am considering getting a foil drive so i can ride without stressing out my elbow. Im going to be in the outer banks of NC for 3 weeks this fall, and I want to spend as much time in the water as possible. When would you choose the stoke and when foil drive. If you could only get one, which would you get. Larry

[@hydrofoilacademy]

It depends on lots of things. Budget, how much I’ll be changing from powered to regular foiling etc. If money was no object I’d get the foil drive with a carbon integrated mast.

[@Jaasper.S]

Yes! He's been converted, so impressive to see you downwinding Botany with broken collar bone.

[@hydrofoilacademy]

Mate, I’m loving it. Can’t wait to do an ocean Downwind run with you!

[@ianmunro82]

Surprising to see you using the Foil Drive after your glowing Stoke assist review video

[@axxis001]

Yes, I too found it surprising. He is talking like he is going with an assist for the very first time. Anyway I would be interested in a honest comparison between the two systems.

[@hydrofoilacademy]

Yes, I’m going to do a direct comparison review as soon as I get my hands on another Stoke. Watch this space…

[@tettok8431]

Yes… Efoil assist is another learning curve to climb…a friend built an Efoil assist for $500 like Foil dive V1 w/2 of 20 min run batteries. I positioned the Prop as an Efoil..I got on foil the first few runs on the first session. On 2nd session..same set-up I was not able to get on foil At all..learning curve!!!.. Stoke looks like Torpedo…but now the Take Off Foil assist become available 1/4 cheaper than FD… & they are all made in China!!!

[@hydrofoilacademy]

It’s a very interesting time! I’m doing a review on the take off soon. Watch this space.

[@bikesbeersbeats]

Manta Foil is identical and $1000 cheaper. You can build one of these for about $1800. Motor is $800, battery is pretty pricey.

[@hydrofoilacademy]

I’m testing the Manta Foil one soon. Will be interesting to see if the performance and quality is the same.

[@andrewbrooks8914]

Does the Armstrong board have connection problems?

[@hydrofoilacademy]

Yes, it does have some issues. Especially with the ML boards when it’s submerged. I got the add on antenna and that’s amazing.

[@olivierdecroly661]

Hi, just bought one to progress my DW journey. Arriving soon. Did you do your first sessions to learn with a paddle or just prone ?

[@hydrofoilacademy]

I think learning with a paddle is easier as you are already on your feet. You can use the paddle for stability too.

[@kippywylie]

Question: I owned a Lift efoil with the folding prop with the intention of powering off and riding swell, but I never could get past the abrupt stance change needed just as you power-off the propeller. Does the foil drive feel smooth transitioning from powered to off?

[@hydrofoilacademy]

There is a bit of getting used to but it’s not as significant as the eFoils. I hardly notice it anymore.

[@mikewhite188]

Assist max or Assist slim. I cannot get my head around compromising a board designers efforts to maximise the hydrodynamic efficiency by then strapping a rectangular bulky box to the bottom of an efficient structure. I am riding an Assist plus on my KT Dragonfly installed behind my back foot. Still seems to me to be the better option, providing you are using bigger boards?

[@hydrofoilacademy]

I guess there is so much power it gets through that drag, however, I do agree with you. I think the next Gen will have everything incorporated into the board (check out the Flitelab). I have the max and only use this with the biggest battery.

[@davewestfoils]

Really great review!

[@hydrofoilacademy]

Thanks Dave, really appreciate that!

[@patconnor7281]

Did you have any connectivity issues with the Armstrong carbon fiber boards?

[@hydrofoilacademy]

I’m going to do a full video on this very shortly. I did have some issues at the start, which was very frustrating, but that was due to not packing the tracks correctly. I bought some extra foam and after this no issues. FD is coming out with an extra solution soon. More to come on this soon.

[@patconnor7281]

Thank you for the update. Good review, very informative.

[@Bigd0gg]

Your usual 795 mast length is how many centimeters to get exactly right the total length?

[@hydrofoilacademy]

Hi mate, sorry don’t quite understand what you are asking. In the end I settled on a 15cm pod length and this worked well when I got used to keeping the prop in the water. Hope that helps.

[@bertrand064]

You have to add 5 centimeters to your mast length

[@Bigd0gg]

@@bertrand064 so your total mast length is how many centimeters? Thanks..

[@michaelkihn8311]

Dis you hurt your collarbome doing watersports? 🥺😱

[@hydrofoilacademy]

Yes, unfortunately I snapped my collarbone prone foiling in Byron Bay. I hit a sandbar in really shallow water and put my arm out to stop the fall.

[@joostgolsteyn3193]

Foildrive the rip off device

[@hydrofoilacademy]

It’s expensive but very good at the same time.