The Difference Between Jetboards and eFoils

What’s the difference between jetboards and eFoils?

The difference between jetboards and eFoils? Both are great but have pros and cons baked into them. Whether you’re new to water sports or a seasoned pro, we’ll give you the information you need to make the right decision.

At a high level, eFoils use open propellers while jetboards do not. eFoils are much easier to learn on compared to Jetboards.

However, Jetboards are less subject to regulations compared to eFoils because they don’t have propellers and it’s considered “greener” depending on rules and regulations of where you live.

What is an eFoil?

eFoils are electric hydrofoils with a propeller attached right above their wings. The hydrofoil flies below the water’s surface while the eFoil board rides on and above the surface.

The propeller has an electric motor that moves the board through open water. At certain speeds, the board lifts and appears to be “flying” above the water.

What is a Jetboard?

Jetboards are motorized surfboards where the rider controls the speed with a hand-held remote control. The rider moves the board by changing the position of their weight. Jetboards come in two varieties: petrol and electric (hence, electric surfboards).

Note: Jetboards are not jet skis but they are considered PWCs (Personal Water Craft).

Things to Consider

When deciding to buy a jetboard or an eFoil, you need to consider the following:

• Weight
• East of Transportation
• Ride Time
• Speed
• Safety
• Which is Easter to Learn
• How to Travel
• Environment
• Which is Louder
• Maintenance
• Regulations
• Ride Style
• Cost

Weight

eFoils are much heavier than standard jetboards and Hydrofoils.

Hydrofoils only weigh 5lbs at most. With the battery, eFoils can weigh anywhere from 61 to 77 lbs. Smaller petrol jetboards weigh up to 48 lbs, but electric jetboards can weigh up to 80 lbs.

Once you get the board in the water, the weight doesn’t matter as much. But getting it there can be an issue if you can’t carry heavier loads.

Ease of Transportation

Jetboards are much easier to pack than eFoils. They can slide right into the back of a car or pickup and be on their way to the beach.

To move an eFoil takes a bit more work. You have to disassemble the board each time you move because it is too big for normal vehicles.

The pieces are super sharp, so you need to wear gloves, or you might cut yourself. This shouldn’t be an issue with proper care, but it is something to consider. Disassembling the eFoil can be annoying at times.

If you have a large truck, you can put your eFoil right in the back. But be sure to tie it down. You don’t want it bouncing around in the back.

What’s the Difference in Ride Time?

eFoils

eFoils win the ride time battle. Most eFoil batteries can last up to an hour and a half on the water.

With special wings, eFoils can last even longer at two hours. When eFoils fly above the water, there is significantly less drag on the board. Less drag on the board means less energy is required to keep it moving forward. Less energy needed to move the board means a much longer ride time.

Petrol jetboards have a ride time max of about an hour and twenty minutes. Electric jetboards last about thirty-five minutes. In general, jet drive is less efficient than propeller drive.

With a jetboard, you ride along the surface of the water so the water resistance, or drag, is much higher. If you are looking for a longer ride time, eFoils are definitely the way to go.

Speed

Petrol boards are faster than eFoils. Certain petrol boards can reach a top speed of up to 40 mph, while most eFoils cap out at an absolute max of 35 mph.

Despite jetboards going faster, riding an eFoil feels faster. Gliding above the water at 35 mph without drag feels so much faster than on the water with a jetboard.

Safety

Jetboards are much safer than eFoils. They don’t have any sharp, pointy parts sticking out like the eFoil. If you fall off the jet board, you don’t have the threat of a hydrofoil crashing into you like with an eFoil.

Not only that, but eFoils have their hydrofoil submerged in the water. This has more inherent risk because it can hit bottom or debris much easier than a jet board.

Note: You don’t want to ride in the shallows with an eFoil. You are going to lose a wing or a propeller.

A fall from an eFoil carries more inherent danger. The distance from the board’s height to the water will be much higher than on a jetboard.

Once you get the hang of eFoiling, this isn’t a problem. But from a design overview, the edge has to go to jetboards.

eFoils are Easier to Learn

eFoils are surprisingly easy to learn. Beginners are usually able to lift off within the first half hour.

The design of the eFoil provides a stable ride that pretty much anyone can find their balance on. If you have any water sport experience, you’ll have this down within an hour.

Jetboards have much more power that is difficult to get the hang of compared to eFoils. The power of a jetboard, combined with trying to maintain your balance on two legs could be unfamiliar to some.

However, you can attach an inflatable tube to most jetboards, making them much easier to learn. The tube prevents the board from crashing as much as it might normally happen for a beginner.

The board size of the jetboard is something to consider. Larger jetboards with higher liters of volume are much easier to learn and ride.

Boards with smaller liters of volume are going to be harder to ride than a bigger electric eFoil.

Can you travel on airplanes with them?

You cannot fly with an electric jet board or eFoil because of the battery. The only solution here would be to mail your battery to the target destination.

Either scenario is a hassle, but if you want to use your boards in certain locations, this is the way. Otherwise, you can look into renting boards if you go out of the country or to tropical destinations.

Are eFoils and jet boards environmentally friendly?

This isn’t our area of expertise, but we don’t think so. We don’t want to get into the politics of luxury sports.

eFoils and jetboards are expensive toys built for max performance and amusement. They were most likely not designed with saving the earth in mind. If that were the case, the most environmentally safe board would be a traditional surfboard.

What the difference in sound?

The jet board is way louder than the eFoil. eFoils are known for having a ‘virtually silent electric motor’ that quietly propels the board through the water.

Jetboards sound like you are riding a quad on top of the water. If you love to rev your motorcycle downtown as loud as you can than we suggest the jetboard.

Maintenance

Jet boards have an internal motor that could be worrisome for some riders who’ve never held a wrench. But most issues are searchable on the internet and simple enough to fix on your own.

If your eFoil stops working, however, good luck. You are most likely shipping your eFoil to a service center to get that baby running again. These are rare situations – we just wanted to include this possibility for the article. Both jetboards and eFoils are pretty reliable.

Regarding actual maintenance, the biggest thing is to ensure you rinse either your eFoil or jet board with fresh water after a day out on the water.

Regulations

Jet boards are allowed in the ocean, rivers, and most lakes. eFoils are allowed essentially everywhere.

It would be impossible to cover every location in this short post, so be sure to consult with your local authorities.

Ride style

eFoils are most famous for long, stable rides on the coastline or in a lake. Advanced eFoils or other extreme sports athletes might make it seem like a crazy sport. They’re doing flips and other scary tricks on the eFoil. But for most of us, it’s about the peaceful, flat journey in the water to clear our heads.

Jet boards are the more adrenaline-pumping, faster riding experience. Like we said above, it’s like riding the ocean equivalent of a quad. They are loud, fast, and have a lot of power.

If you want to do high speeds, fast turns, crush, and carve waves at top speed and high power, then consider a jetboard.

The other thing to consider is choppy water. If you look at the beach and the waves are smashing the shoreline, you probably aren’t going to bring out the eFoil.

Jetboards are meant for choppy water. eFoils are ideal in smooth conditions with minimal wind.

Which one costs more? The electric surfboard market.

For the most part, eFoils and Jetboards cost roughly the same. Depending on the quality, they can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over $10k. Higher-end models will always cost more.

Try Before You Buy

There are many options available for both eFoil and jet boards that allow you to try before you buy. Check your local area to see renting options.

One of Lift’s authorized dealers offers a Fly Before you Buy program, riders are allowed to receive a paid demo and have that cost go toward their board if they choose to buy it.

You can also look into ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ options if interested, we wrote about this in a previous post. For those unfamiliar, BNPL is a payment plan that allows you to pay for something over time, like a car payment.

So Which One Should You Choose?

It’s hard to choose between a jet board and an eFoil. Each has its benefits, giving you a unique and fun experience on the water.

If you want an aggressive, faster ride, go with a jetboard. If you want a peaceful cruise over the ocean water, go with an eFoil.

If we could, we would tell you to get both. Ultimately, do your research, and decide what option is better for you.