Foil Drive Max vs. Slim | The Battery Breakdown For the Everyday Rider

Judging by the number of calls we get about the Gen2 Foil Drive, it's a popular choice for foilers wanting to get more out of their sessions, but the number of battery options can be a little overwhelming. There are two main units to choose from, each with two battery sizes (three if you count the travel batteries, though it's pretty obvious when to choose those). Ryan and Aaron are here to clear up the confusion and help you confidently choose the right combination for your Foil Drive needs.

Foil Drive Max vs. Slim

The most obvious difference between the Max and Slim units is the thickness. As the "Slim" implies, it's quite a bit thinner than the Max. But what are the pros and cons of each?

Max:

• Pros
  • More power/torque
  • More runtime
• Cons
  • More weight
  • More drag

Slim:

• Pros
  • Lighter weight
  • Minimal drag
• Cons
  • Not as powerful
  • Shorter battery life

So what does that mean for you? We always recommend the Max for newer and intermediate foilers. The weight and drag are not going to override the advantages of more power and runtime. The typical rider is going to make heavier use of the assist, and with the Max's battery being larger than the Slim's, you're going to get more time on the water for fun and progression.

There can be a tendency to look at the two and feel like you need to push yourself toward the Slim since it's the "pro" unit, but that's not necessarily accurate. The Slim is lighter weight and lower profile, which can indeed be important characteristics for advanced foilers, but the Max has more power, which has its own set of advantages for those who need faster acceleration. They're simply different and cater to different types of riders. Take an honest look at your needs and then decide which unit is better suited to meet them.

In addition to the everyday rider and people just learning to foil, the Max is often the top pick for wing foilers, wake foilers, and prone foilers. The Slim may be a good choice for experienced foilers who are already efficient and just need a little boost from time to time, as well as downwind SUP foilers who want a little extra push to get into the swell but are otherwise pretty self-sufficient by pumping and paddling.

Battery: Power/Endurance vs. Sport/Performance

The Max and Slim both come with two nose cones, and that's to accommodate the two sizes of battery that are available with each. The pros and cons tradeoff is pretty simple here: runtime vs. weight and drag. There are a lot of variables when it comes to exactly how much time you'll get on the water with each. Rider and gear weight, conditions, type of riding, and motor usage all play a role in how long each session will be. The thing to notice is that the Power and Endurance batteries are 50 percent larger than their shorter Sport and Performance counterparts, so you'll get that much more time while adding that much more weight and length.

The number one factor for most people is "how long can I ride?" They want to buzz from wave to wave and are looking for that "easy button". So most of the time, the larger battery is going to be the best choice. In fact, a lot of people who purchase a second battery get two of the larger battery so they can quickly swap out mid-session and keep going as long as possible.

That said, there are some good reasons to choose the smaller battery for your unit. If you only power up your Foil Drive occasionally and don't find yourself running low on juice during your session, then the shorter battery is a great way to minimize weight and drag. And there are some boards with a step deck or contours that don't accommodate the longer nose cone well, though there are design files out there to print a shim to support the nose cone if you do want to use the longer battery.

The smaller batteries do cost less than the larger ones, so if you don't need the extended runtime, that can also be a factor in your decision. However, it isn't a huge difference in the overall price of your Foil Drive setup, so if you want the extra time on the water, then going with the larger battery will hopefully not be a dealbreaker for you.

What We're Driving At

A Foil Drive is a great accessory for anyone who wants to get out on their foil, with or without a wing or paddle. If you find yourself with a shoulder injury and need to set aside the wing or paddle for a while, the Foil Drive will pick up the slack. Maybe you haven't got time to pump up a wing or kite and just want to grab a quick lunchtime ride. Maybe the wind isn't there or is too variable. A Foil Drive can save your session.

Each rider is going to need to choose the setup that best suits their needs. While there are many factors that play a role, we do recommend the Foil Drive Max with a Power battery (or two) for most people. The extra power and runtime are well worth the tradeoff in weight and drag for the majority of foilers.

If you're a beginner, more power and more time on the water are going to result in faster progression. When you're learning to kite or wing, you'll often size up to make sure you have enough power to overcome the inefficiencies inherent to new riders, and this is no different. You'll be more successful when you have plenty of power and don't run out of juice just as you're starting to get a feel for it.

Once you're more proficient at foiling, you're just going to want to have fun and ride as long as you can and zip over to as many waves as you can catch. You'll be willing to make the sacrifice of a heavier unit to gain that power and runtime.

It's entirely possible that you'll get so much more on-foil experience with a Foil Drive that you'll progress to the point that you're using it less and dialing back the power when you do kick it on. Perhaps you'll find yourself coming back in with a good charge still on the battery. You might start pushing yourself to learn new maneuvers to the point that you do feel that extra weight on your board.

When the Slim is the right unit for you, you'll probably know it. But if you're on the fence, chances are you'll enjoy the Max more. For some, the Max is a trainer on the path to the most advanced foiling. For others, it's a session extender that lets them stay out longer and catch more waves. Remember that we are always happy to chat with you and listen to what you want to do with your Foil Drive. Then we can suggest which unit and battery we think will be the best fit for you.

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