Foil Drive | Choosing the Correct Motor Cable Length

There are five cable lengths to connect your Foil Drive unit to the propeller. How do you choose the best one for your skill level and riding style? For most riders looking to get into prone foiling, wing foiling, or to practice pumping, and even downwind, the 10in length is perfect. We'll explain why below.

Cable Length Options

Foil Drive offers the cable to your propeller in 5 lengths: 6in/15cm, 8in/20cm, 10in/25cm, 23.5in/60cm, and 27.5in/70cm. The shorter the cable, the more likely the propeller will be out of the water when you're up on foil. With the longer cables, your propeller will likely be in the water all the time.

When Do You Want a Shorter Cable?

If you're using one of the shorter cable lengths, you're only going to have a few inches of clearance to keep the Foil Drive propeller in the water since the water line has to be above the entire propeller for the Foil Drive to get you moving. If you're using the 6in cable, you only have about 3 or 4 inches of clearance between your board and the water before the propeller is high and dry. You'll need excellent mast control to use this cable length.

Why would you want this? While the propeller unit is very hydrodynamic, it does still create some drag. You'll notice this most when you're trying to pump or link waves, so then you'll want most of your mast available to you with the propeller up and out of the water. The 6, 8, and 10in lengths allow you to do this according to your skill at mast control.

When Do You Want a Longer Cable?

If you choose one of the two longer cable lengths, your propeller is going to be in the water all the time since it'll be near the fuselage. If you're trying to learn how to foil or just like to cruise around most of the time, this is a good thing.

Is the 10in Length Right for Me?

After getting months of staff knowledge on these, we've found that the 10in cord length is the best option for most of the guys into prone foiling, wing foiling, and even downwind. For the majority of people, the 10in is the right way to go because there's just enough wiggle room between the bottom of your board and keeping the Foil Drive propeller in the water, while still having most of your mast available when you want the propeller out of the water to minimize drag.

Who Should Use the Shortest Cables?

If you're an expert rider looking to get the maximum efficiency out of your foil and just use the Foil Drive as a tool to get you up and riding the waves, we recommend the 8in. If you're a hard charger and you want to make the most out of your Foil Drive, the 6in is for you.

Which Long Cable is Right for Me?

If you just want to eFoil around or are brand new to foiling, then the 23 or the 27in is going to be the best option for you. Check the length of the mast you want to use with the Foil Drive. If your mast isn't long enough to accommodate the 27in cord, then get the 23in so the propeller doesn't go past the fuselage.

Summary

If you're getting into prone surfing, wing foiling, or downwind and want to have a little extra wiggle room to keep your Foil Drive in the water, go with the 10in. This is going to be the best for most riders. If you're a hard charger, look at that 8in or 6in. If you are just looking to get into the sport, check out that 23 or 27in cord length for your Foil Drive Gen 2 unit.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via phone, live chat, or email. I'm Cole from MACkite and I look forward to seeing you on the water.

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