Foil Drive MAX+ Review

Ryan and Hunter have been testing the all-new Foil Drive MAX+. This new unit is officially replacing the Foil Drive MAX in the lineup, taking the system people know and love and giving it a major update. After getting it out on the water in a variety of conditions, they break down exactly what you can expect from this new setup.

Upgraded 43-Volt System and Power

Just like the Gen 2.5 Foil Drive Fusion, the MAX+ is a 43-volt system. This gives you more power, allowing you to get up on foil much quicker, especially when riding smaller gear. The previous 40V MAX system took longer to get up on foil when progressing down to smaller 20 to 30-liter boards and smaller 700 to 900 foils. The 43V system pops you up almost immediately, making the whole setup feel much more solid underfoot.

Battery Size and Extended Runtime

The battery size for the MAX+ is 650 watt-hours, compared to the previous MAX HP battery which was around 593 watt-hours. While it's only about 50 to 60 watt-hours bigger on paper, the real-world user experience gives you significantly more runtime.

Because you are popping up on foil quicker, you spend less time dragging in the water, which equates to more time on the water per watt-hour. Ryan experienced runtimes well over an hour, even on days with small boards and large foils doing short 15 to 20-second pump rides. In similar conditions, the previous MAX and high-power battery would have tapped out in under an hour. Even when doing heavy assist riding—like motoring upwind in high winds and riding waves downwind—you can expect over an hour of ride time.

Weight and Board Balance

The MAX+ system weighs about a pound and a half more than the original MAX system. This extra weight comes from having more cells built into the battery. However, Hunter and Ryan found this extra weight to be pretty minuscule on the water. Because the battery is built into the nose cone, the extra cells distribute the weight a little further forward. This actually makes for a more well-balanced complete board and foil system compared to the previous MAX.

Throttle Efficiency and Zero Battery Sag

Thanks to the 43V system, you don't need to run as high of a percentage on the throttle, allowing you to cruise at lower RPMs. Another massive improvement is the elimination of battery sag. On the old system, if your battery was at 95% and you pulled 100% throttle, the remote might drop to read 75% under load. With the MAX+, if you are at 95% and pull the throttle, it stays reading exactly 95%. This makes it incredibly clear exactly what your battery is at when you're motoring around.

Low Battery Performance

This accurate reading is super helpful when you get down to that last 10 to 20 percent and are trying to figure out when to head in so you don't have to paddle back. Previously, voltage sag at lower percentages meant you might not have the power to get back up on foil. With the MAX+, you can run it all the way down to 1% (though going to zero isn't advised) and still get the output needed to easily get on foil.

Built-In Nose Cone Battery

In the previous system, you might have noticed a little battery wiggle or a "clunk" inside the nose cone, especially when pumping around. With the MAX+, the battery is built directly into the nose cone, completely eliminating that wiggle for a solid, quiet ride.

App Connectivity and Remote Features

Being part of the 2.5 system, you can connect these batteries to your phone via the Foil Drive app. You can check your charge level while it's plugged in, view your cycle count, and access other battery features.

One of the best features is the ability to connect to the battery and turn it on or off directly from the app. This allows you to hook everything up at home, shut it off, drive to the beach, and turn it on without needing any tools. This is especially convenient if you are using a trench board and don't want to take everything apart at the beach to plug your battery in.

V3 Remote and Safety Features

The MAX+ utilizes the V3 remote, which includes the tilt lock feature. If the system tilts too far, the motor automatically shuts off—an awesome safety feature for new riders learning the ropes. It also includes standard features like lock-on-start and lock-after-falling. The remote also lets you change gears if you prefer a set output rather than managing the throttle trigger.

Fusion System Compatibility

If you are already a Fusion owner, the MAX+ battery (and the smaller battery coming out later) can essentially become sport batteries for your Fusion system. You simply use a lightweight battery extender adapter (which has no cells in it) to run these batteries on the Fusion. This is a super cool feature that makes the new batteries compatible across systems.

Size and Hardware Comparisons

The actual MAX+ unit and battery are almost the exact same size as the previous MAX. When placed side-by-side, the nose cones are the same length, just a touch higher. The cable connection is also the exact same length, meaning it lines up perfectly if you already own an integrated mast. Additionally, the electronics box now uses M7 split bolts, and they come included in a small tool caddy inside the MAX+.

Although the size is similar, it is important to note that batteries are not compatible between the original MAX and the MAX+. If you want to go to the MAX+, you have to upgrade to the 43-volt system, which includes getting the new batteries.

Final Thoughts

Performance-wise, the MAX+ rides very similarly to the original MAX in terms of swing weight and board feel. However, it feels much more solid under motor power and offers a huge performance benefit when getting up on smaller gear. If you're looking to size down your wing, rip harder in the waves, or just want more power and runtime, the MAX+ complements smaller wings and smaller boards perfectly.

MACkite Subscription Links:

YouTube  |   Instagram  |   Spotify Oddcasts

Contact MACkite Below:

800.622.4655  |   Kiteboarder@MACkite.com  |   LIVE Chat Messenger