An eFoil is an electric hydrofoil with a propeller attached right above its wings. The propeller has an electric motor that moves the board through open water. At certain speeds, the board lifts up and appears to be “flying” above the water.
eFoils have a lot more parts and equipment compared regular surfboards. In this article, we’ll pop the hood under the eFoil and see what makes them move so quickly.
Components of an eFoil
The components of the eFoil must be able to handle the saltwater corrosion or they will break apart.
- Mast
- Propeller
- Board
- Motor
- Wings
- Bluetooth Controller
Wing
An eFoil’s wings sit at the bottom of the hydrofoil. eFoils have two wings: front and back. They attach right to the mast and are essential for the stability of the board.
The wing’s shape will determine the eFoil’s effectiveness, stability, and performance. They’ll also determine the amount of drag on the board.
Bigger wings give the most lift and more stable ride. Beginners should stick to larger wings because the wings have more drag. The rides will be slower and more controlled.
Smaller wings can be less stable but faster and more effective in the water. Advanced users often use smaller wings for quicker rides.
Mast
An eFoil’s mast is the part of the vessel that sticks up above the water and connects to the board. The other side of the mast submerges into the water and holds the propeller, stabilizer, and wings.
Shorter masts do not allow too much rising above the water. If the rider loses control and hits the water, the impact will be less than that of a larger mast. Though shorter masts can breach easier, they are better for beginners to use due to the lack of rising.
Larger masts avoid breaching, and the rider can adjust the height of the board to avoid bigger waves. If you plan on riding with the swell, you should use a large mast.
Propeller
The electric propeller sits right above the wings of the eFoil near the bottom of the mast. The eFoil’s motor powers the propeller which then moves the board through the water.
You’ll notice the propeller often comes with a safety ring around the blades. This is to prevent any unintended injuries from contact with the propeller.
Board
The eFoil board is the most important and iconic part of the eFoil. It’s what you ride on, after all.
The bigger the board, the more stable and buoyant the ride. Smaller boards are better for doing sharper, more technical maneuvers.
Beginners should stick to larger boards until they get the hang of foiling. Heavier riders should also opt for a larger eFoil board because it can handle the load better. Experienced riders prefer smaller boards due to the challenge they give the rider.
Motor
The motor is what powers the eFoil through the water. For most brands, it’s usually silent and always rechargeable. It sits within the propeller which attaches directly to the mast.
You use a handheld wireless remote to control the motor. It syncs to the eFoil via a Bluetooth antenna found at the front of the board. More powerful motors provide faster speeds and can handle heavier riders.
Bluetooth Controller
We mentioned above that every eFoil comes with a Bluetooth controller. This controller syncs up to the eFoil and is what controls the motor.
It takes a bit of getting used to, but after an hour or two you should get the hang of it. If you’ve ever wondered what people eFoiling are holding in their hand, it’s the controller.
Be sure to download any recommended software for the eFoil onto your phone or electronic device. You need to keep your firmware update to avoid any issues with the electronics of the board.
eFoil FAQS
What is the maximum weight an eFoil board can handle?
The maximum weight an eFoil can handle is a factor of the volume of the board over the power of the motor. eFoils, like surfboards, are measured in volume. Larger boards will be able to handle more weight whereas smaller boards will struggle with bigger loads.
More powerful motors will be able to push heavier loads. Manufactures produce advanced propellers, masts, etc., that allow heavier riders to enjoy eFoiling.
If you are worried that an eFoil cannot hold your weight, we recommend your refer to the user manual or contact a professional.
How long does an eFoil battery last?
An eFoil battery lasts a little over an hour and a half. You can expect up to 100 minutes of ride time for most brands but refer to your user manual for exact time lengths.
Here’s a tip: if the battery is at 10%, you should return to shore. Always track your battery consumption.
Do eFoils need maintenance?
eFoils are built with corrosion-resistant materials, so routine maintenance is not required. High quality eFoils are extremely reliable.
The one thing you need to do is wash off any salt water after rides in the ocean. Use freshwater to spray off the board, the propeller and the rest of the electric hydrofoil.
Most eFoil boards come with a cooling system (which is a hole that runs through the mast). Be sure to flush this with fresh water each ride to ensure durability for your eFoil.
Store your eFoil nose down in a dry location. Storing it nose down allows any water in or on the board to drain away from the electrical components.
Your hatch should be dry. If you find any water within the eFoil, you need to check your gaskets to ensure the seal is tight.
Is eFoiling like snowboarding or surfing?
Although snowboarding and surfing is a good way to describe eFoiling. No, not really. Other than the board itself, there aren’t too many similarities between eFoiling and snowboarding or surfing.
An eFoil is basically a motorized, flying surfboard that rides closer to a unicycle than an actual surfboard. That doesn’t mean you need to know how to ride a unicycle, it just means the center of gravity balances upon a central point (the mast) in the water.
Where can I ride an eFoil?
You can ride an eFoil anywhere deep enough for its mast and wings to avoid hitting anything. If you ride an eFoil in shallow water, you risk hitting bottom, which will cause you to crash or damage the eFoil board or propulsion system.
It’s critical to rinse your eFoil with freshwater if you’re eFoiling in the ocean or any bodies of saltwater.
What surf conditions to start eFoiling?
Beginner eFoilers should learn on flat water. When you get better, you can eFoil in any type of condition, choppy or flat, as you’ll be flying above the water.
Stay clear of shallow waters. The eFoils propeller can hit rocks or other debris in shallow water that could cause you to crash. Deep water is your friend.
Is eFoiling dangerous?
eFoiling can be dangerous. You are flying through the air over water via a motorized board. We recommend beginners wear impact vests and even helmets.
The first hour or two of eFoiling can be the most dangerous for a new eFoiler. Balancing on an electric surfboard is a skill few have. You may find yourself falling into water a couple of times in those first two hours and that’s okay.
Most of the Bluetooth Controllers have a ‘governor’ setting. It allows you to modulate the max speed allowed from the motor at any time, and can be used to help out beginners learning how to eFoil.
Other than that, eFoiling is not an extremely difficult sport. Riding on open, deep waters is very safe. Riding in shallow waters is extremely dangerous because you can bottom out and crash.
Can anyone eFoil?
No. Lift experts suggest riders be 16 years or older and no heavier than 250 lbs. Riders heavier than that should consult with a professional before purchasing a board.
What are Lift Foils?
Lift Foils is one of the premier eFoil brands. They are family owned and have operated out of Puerto Rico since 2010 designing electric surfboards, eFoils, and other accessories.
When did eFoiling start?
eFoils were invented in 2015. Co-founder of LiftFoils, Nick Leason, combined multiple technologies to create the first commercially available “flying” surfboard. No longer did you need wind or waves to enjoy riding on bodies of water.
What does eFoil stand for?
eFoil stands for ‘electric hydrofoil’.
What is the cheapest eFoil?
The cheapest eFoils worth buying range from $4000 to $5000.
Can you rent an eFoil?
Yes! You can rent an eFoil. Be sure to check your local area for eFoils available to rent.
Should you register your eFoil?
We recommend that you register your eFoil. An eFoil is a powered vessel. Most powered vessels need to be registered. Check the local regulations to make sure you abide by the law.
How Much Do eFoil Surfboards Cost?
We’ve written an article on an eFoil cost before. Be sure to check out our article if you want to learn more.
— [OR]
With eFoils, everyone always asks, ‘how much does one cost?’ It depends.
An eFoil’s cost varies depending on size, the type of board you buy, the quality of the components, and of course, the brand.
Lower-end eFoils will cost you about $4,000. If you are looking for a top-tier, high-caliber eFoil, you can expect to pay up to $12,000 or more. Higher-end models can push $25,000.
Don’t let the prices scare you. You can always rent an eFoil to see if you like the sport, or you can look into buy now, pay later options.