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Appletree's New RIIFT-Specific Foil Assist Boards Tucker is joined by Wieger from Appletree Surfboards take a look at the fresh, brand-new Appletree boards designed specifically for the highly anticipated RIIFT foil assist system. While Appletree isn't part of the RIIFT brand itself, the RIIFT system requires a dedicated foil assist board with special tracks to function. RIIFT approached Appletree about six or seven months ago to collaborate. Currently, Appletree is the only larger factory bra …

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 muc …

Ryan has an exciting delivery from Foil Drive: the all-new Foil Drive Assist MAX+. He is unboxing it to see what's included, what everything looks like, and how things have changed with this new release. The 43-Volt System The Assist MAX+ is replacing the previous MAX version, but it has been upgraded to the 43-volt system that the Foil Drive Fusion has been using. It comes in a nice case that is similar to what they are putting the Fusion in, though it feels like it might be a little bit smal …

Ryan and Hunter have been out testing Slingshot's Foil Drive integrated One-Lock aluminum mast. They managed to get out in some epic conditions with a few different foil setups and have really been enjoying the performance of this new system. The Slingshot Integrated Aluminum Mast Ryan kicked things off by pointing out that one of the standout features of this setup is the One-Lock system. When paired with the Foil Drive, it makes for a quick and easy setup to get you in and out of the water …

Are we seeing double? Two Ryans...in one building? That's right! Ryan from MACkite and Ryan from Foil Drive took the time to discuss an exciting new product: the Foil Drive Universal Mini Pod. This has been a long time coming with a lot of chatter surrounding it, and it's absolutely worth the wait. It's a slick system that makes it incredibly easy to get your motor on and off, converting a single foil for multiple disciplines with ease. The Evolution of Foil Drive Pods Ryan from Foil Drive exp …

Ryan and Hunter have been riding the Foil Drive Fusion for a while now. Recently, they put it in their cars full-time, throwing it into the quiver to dedicate solid time to figuring out exactly where it shines and where it fits in compared to the Max unit. After months of testing, they have some solid thoughts to help you decide if the Fusion is the right choice for your setup. Unmatched Run Time and Battery Life The most obvious benefit of the Fusion is the run time. Because it's more powerfu …

Ryan and Hunter have been riding the Omen Capacitor for a while now, putting it through the ringer in a lot of different conditions. This is a dedicated Foil Drive trench board that has been long-awaited, and the team is ready to share their first impressions. Sizes and Construction The Omen Capacitor comes in three sizes to suit various riders and needs. The size featured in this review is the 35-liter, which measures 4'11". It also comes in a 45-liter at 5'4" and a 56-liter at 5'8". These ar …

Tucker took a break from his normal wing and parawing foil testing to talk about some new apparel with cool applications for foilers: the new ION Surf Shield Wetshirt, also referred to as the Fearless Fiber jacket or sweater. Fearless Fiber Protection The standout feature of this water shirt is the special material called Fearless Fiber. It's cut-resistant to level 4, tested according to the European standard 388:2016. The material is designed to protect you from a sharp foil, a prop blade on …

The e-assist market has exploded over the last few years. What was once using motorized assistance to get into waves and swell has transformed to foiling without resistance. Now, Waydoo has a solution for the foil assist market. Waydoo has been around for a while producing eFoils, and we've been using them for quite some time — they make a great eFoil. The Foil Boost is the brand's entry into e-assist, with a motor mounted up closer to the board so you can power into a wave, ride around …

Ryan and Hunter chat about the all-new Sunova Foil Drive Trench board, designed specifically to integrate with Foil Drive systems, offering a dedicated space for the motor unit and battery. Three Different Sizes The board comes in three sizes to accommodate different rider weights and skill levels: 4'10" at 40 liters 5'2" at 45 liters 5'6" at 50 liters The width on the 4'10" model is 19", and the width increases by a quarter inch on each of the larger two sizes. Board Features The Sunova Tre …

Ryan and Hunter have been using these for a little while now, and after Code took some time to dial them in just right, the team has been really stoked with the result; check out the breakdown, who's it for, and its features. Base Plate Features Starting at the base plate, there's a slotted hardware channel for mounting to the board. The slot makes it easy and seamless to drop the split bolts in — great for quickly swapping the unit out, instead of fiddling around trying to line up a sin …

Tucker is stepping out of his comfort zone of talking about wing and kite foil gear to dive into foil assist mode. He has been absolutely stoked about this new product from Zip Pod — testing it over the winter, putting it through its paces, and comparing it against regular foil drive setups and integrated masts. The Zip Pod has some really compelling reasons to like it, which is why it's what Tucker uses when he goes Foil Driving. Unboxing the Zip Pod Kit Below is a quick rundown of what …

For a long time, the black prop was just the prop. It came in the kit, it worked, and you rode it. Now, Foil Drive has dropped two new options —a blue low-range prop and a grey medium-high-range prop — and suddenly there's actually something to think about before you head to the water. Ryan and Hunter have been riding both, and here's what they found. What's Actually Different The black prop isn't going anywhere. It still comes in every kit and covers a wide range of condition …

Ryan and Hunter have been quietly battling over this mast—and that alone says something. The new North Integrated Ultra High Mod Carbon Mast isn’t just another accessory in the Foil Drive ecosystem. It’s a purpose-built, performance-focused solution for riders who are already pushing their limits in waves, downwinders, and pump sessions. After significant time on the water, their takeaway is clear: this setup changes how a Foil Drive feels underfoot. Tech Specs | What You …

Ryan and Hunter from MACkite have been logging serious sessions this summer and fall on the Appletree Zapple S, and it’s quickly become one of their standout Foil Drive setups. If you’re looking at trench boards and wondering whether going smaller actually improves performance, this board makes a strong case. Let’s break down why. What Is the Zapple S? The Zapple S is closely related to Appletree’s Apple Slice prone board, but with one major difference: a built-in tr …