What is a Foil Drive Assist?

A Foil Drive assist is an electric motor system that mounts to your existing foil setup to help you get on foil faster and ride longer. It's not an eFoil. The motor provides power on demand through a wireless controller, giving you thrust when you need it while you still generate most of your speed through paddling, pumping, or wind power.

Think of it as hybrid foiling. You control when and how much assist you want.

Foil Drive Assist Defined

Foil Drive launched in 2020 as the first universal electric assist system designed to work with any mast and any foil. The system uses a motor pod that attaches between your board and mast using a universal adaptor plate.

Unlike an eFoil where the motor does all the work, Foil Drive simply helps. You still paddle into waves, pump onto foil, or use your wing. The motor kicks in when you trigger the wireless controller, giving you 6-27.5kg of thrust depending on which model you choose.

The system works across multiple foiling disciplines. Surf foilers use it to catch more waves. Wing foilers use it to get up in light wind. Downwinders use it as a safety backup. Pump foilers use it to link sections or recover from touchdowns.

It weighs 3.4-4.5kg fully installed. That's light enough to paddle surf with when the motor is off.

 

How Does a Foil Drive Assist Work?

The system has four main components.

Motor pod – This houses a folding propeller and the motor itself. It's IP68 rated, meaning it's fully waterproof and dust-proof. The propeller folds back when not in use, reducing drag when you're riding without power.

Electronics box – This sits on your board deck and contains the battery and control electronics. It connects to the motor through a cable that runs through your mast track. You choose between 20cm or 60cm cable length depending on your board size.

Wireless controller – A small handheld throttle that clips to your wrist or palm. It connects via Bluetooth and gives you precise thrust control. Full squeeze equals full power. Partial squeeze gives partial thrust.

Universal mast adaptor – This plate bolts between your board and mast. It positions the motor pod directly below your mast. The system works with round masts, oval masts, and most proprietary mast shapes using different adaptor plates.

When you squeeze the controller, the motor spins the propeller forward. Release the trigger and the propeller stops, folding back against the motor pod. The whole system runs on a 40V electrical system for efficient power delivery.

 

Foil Assist vs eFoil: What's the Difference?

This confuses people constantly.

An eFoil is a complete board with a built-in motor and battery. You ride it like a motorised surfboard. The motor does 100% of the work. You just stand there and control speed.

A Foil Drive assist retrofits onto gear you already own. You're still paddling, pumping, or winging. The motor just helps when you need it.

Weight: eFoils weigh 25-35kg. Foil Drive adds 3.4-4.5kg to your existing setup.

Power delivery: eFoils give continuous thrust. Foil Drive gives burst assist on demand.

Runtime: eFoils run 60-90 minutes of continuous riding. Foil Drive runs 40 minutes to 4 hours depending on how you use it.

Transport: eFoils need special cases and often can't fly. Foil Drive batteries are airline-approved under 300Wh and the system packs into a backpack.

Use case: eFoils are for motorised cruising. Foil Drive is for extending your regular foiling sessions.

You can't prone surf on an eFoil. You can prone surf with Foil Drive because it turns off completely and adds minimal weight.

 

Foil Drive Models Explained

Foil Drive makes three current models plus one integrated option.

Assist MAX – This is the flagship. It delivers 27.5kg (60.6lbs) of max thrust. The motor pod weighs 4.5kg. You get three battery options: Performance (498Wh, 70-90min runtime), Power (249Wh, 40-45min), and Sport (175Wh, 30-35min). MAX suits heavier riders over 85kg, bigger boards, or anyone wanting maximum power for getting up in difficult conditions.

Assist Slim – The lightweight version. It gives 6kg (13.2lbs) of max thrust and weighs 3.4kg installed. It uses the same batteries as MAX. Slim is designed for surf foiling, pump foiling, and riders under 80kg who want minimal added weight. The lower thrust means longer runtime on the same battery—up to 4 hours of tactical use.

Assist PLUS – This is the Gen1 system, now discontinued but still available used. It delivered 17kg thrust and used older battery technology. If buying used, expect Gen1 units to cost 40-50% less than Gen2.

Fusion – An integrated mast system where the motor cable runs inside the mast itself. This eliminates the external cable and gives a cleaner install. Fusion works with select mast brands including Armstrong, AXIS, and Unifoil. You buy the Fusion mast with motor already integrated.

Battery choice matters. The 498Wh Performance battery isn't airline-approved. The 249Wh Power battery is. If you travel, stick with Power or Sport batteries.

If you're considering a foil assist setup, Loco Surfing offers the best value foil assist V2 which provides similar functionality at a competitive price point for UK riders.

What Foiling Disciplines Work with Foil Drive?

Surf foiling – Use it to paddle into waves faster or catch gutless reform waves that normally wouldn't have enough push. A quick burst gets you on foil, then you kill the motor and surf naturally. Slim is the popular choice here because weight matters when paddling.

If you're new to surf foiling, pairing a foil assist with the right board makes learning significantly faster. The Loco Switch 4-in-1 foil wing board works particularly well with assist systems because it's designed for multiple disciplines.

Wing foiling – Power up in 8-12 knot winds where you'd normally struggle. The assist gets you onto foil before the wing generates enough lift. Once up, turn it off. Runtime averages 60-90 minutes of tactical bursts.

For wing foiling specifically, the Loco Fly wing SUP foiling paddle board pairs excellently with foil assist systems for maximum versatility.

Downwind foiling – Used mainly as a safety tool. If you're 5km offshore and lose the wind, you can motor home instead of paddling a foil board. Also useful for linking bumps in variable conditions. MAX is preferred for downwind because of its higher thrust.

The Loco lightest downwind hydrofoil board combines well with foil assist for extending range and providing offshore safety backup.

Pump foiling – Get onto foil without a dock start. Link sections that would normally kill your run. Recover from breaches without restarting. This drains batteries fastest—expect 40-50 minutes on a 249Wh battery because you're constantly on the throttle.

Check out the Loco pump hydrofoil board designed specifically for pump foiling with assist compatibility.

SUP foiling – Similar to surf use. The assist helps you catch more waves per session and extends your riding window into smaller conditions.

Flatwater eFoil mode – You can ride it like an eFoil on flat water for practice or cruising. This gives you 40-70 minutes depending on your weight and which battery you run.

 

Installation and Compatibility

Installation takes 15-20 minutes once you've done it twice.

You remove your existing mast plate bolts. The Foil Drive adaptor plate goes between the board and mast. You route the motor cable through your mast track slot—most boards have this opening already. If your board has a sealed track, you'll need to drill a 12mm cable pass-through.

The electronics box straps to your deck with Velcro. The motor pod bolts to the underside of the adaptor plate.

It works with any foil mast over 60cm long. Shorter masts put the motor too close to the surface. Round masts from 15-22mm diameter fit the standard adaptor. Different mast shapes need specific adaptors—Foil Drive sells these separately for Armstrong, Takuma, and other proprietary profiles.

Board size matters for cable length selection. Boards under 120L typically use the 20cm cable. Boards over 120L need the 60cm cable to reach the mast track.

You can swap the system between multiple boards. Just buy extra adaptor plates for each board.

Most dedicated foil boards are compatible, including the best beginner inflatable hydrofoil board which offers excellent stability for learning with assist.

 

Benefits of Using Foil Drive Assist

Faster progression. Beginners get onto foil 3x more often per session because they're not burning energy on failed pop-up attempts. More time on foil equals faster learning.

Extended sessions. You catch 40-60% more waves when surf foiling because the assist eliminates the paddle battle on reform waves or weak inside sections.

Condition flexibility. You ride in 8-knot wind instead of waiting for 12 knots. You surf 1-2 foot mush that normally wouldn't work.

Safety offshore. Having motor backup when you're kilometres out removes the risk calculation from downwind runs.

Recovery tool. When you breach or touchdown, a quick burst gets you back on foil without restarting your entire run.

Energy conservation. You're fresher for the actual riding because you're not grinding through marginal conditions just to get going.

Technical Specifications Overview

Both systems use the same wireless controller and electronics. The difference is purely in motor size and thrust output.

Who Should Use a Foil Drive Assist?

Beginners learning any foiling discipline benefit most. The assist removes the initial barrier of getting onto foil, letting you focus on balance and control instead of generation.

Intermediate riders expanding their range use it to access conditions that were previously too marginal. You're no longer waiting for perfect days.

Advanced foilers use it tactically. A burst to catch a specific wave. A safety net on long downwinders. Recovery power during difficult pump sections.

Weight considerations: riders over 90kg should choose MAX. Riders under 75kg can use Slim effectively. The 75-90kg range works with both—choose based on your primary discipline and how much power you want available.

Board volume matters less than you'd think. People run these systems on everything from 30L DW boards to 120L SUP foil boards.

For complete beginners, explore the full range of wingfoiling stand up paddle boards which are designed to work seamlessly with assist systems.

Common Foil Drive Questions

How long does the battery actually last?

Depends entirely on usage pattern. Surf foiling with tactical 2-3 second bursts: 90-120 minutes. Continuous wing assist in light wind: 40-60 minutes. Full eFoil mode: 35-50 minutes. Downwind safety backup: 2-4 hours because you're barely using it.

What maintenance does it need?

Rinse with fresh water after saltwater use. Check propeller for fishing line every few sessions. The motor is sealed and requires no servicing. Battery lifespan is 300-500 charge cycles before capacity drops to 80%.

Can you fly with it?

The 249Wh and 175Wh batteries are under the 300Wh airline limit. The 498Wh battery exceeds limits and must ship separately or stay home.

What does it cost?

Assist MAX systems start at £2,200. Assist Slim starts at £1,900. Batteries add £400-800 depending on capacity. Used Gen1 systems run £1,200-1,500.

The system gives you access to conditions you couldn't ride before. Whether that's worth the cost depends on how often you're sidelined by marginal conditions.

If you need accessories to complete your foil setup, browse the stand up paddle board accessories collection including the Loco carbon SUP paddle range and stand up paddle leashes for safe foiling sessions.