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If you’re shopping for an efoil, one of the hardest parts isn’t learning how to ride — it’s figuring out which setup makes the most sense for how and where you’ll actually foil. A pretty big misconception is that there’s one “best” efoil board setup for everyone. Even two experienced riders on the same brand will likely build their setup completely differently. One might want something lightweight for better maneuvering in swells while the o …

Foil Drive riding has pushed board design in a very specific direction. Efficiency, foil feel, and clean integration now matter more than ever, and few brands have leaned into that reality as effectively as Appletree Surfboards. After riding both the Appletree Zapple and the Appletree Zapple S back-to-back for a full season, Ryan and Hunter from MACkiteboarding break down where these two boards overlap, where they clearly diverge, and, most importantly, who each board is actually for. This i …

Foil Drive has opened the door to a new category of riding—one that blends the accessibility of e-foiling with the performance and progression of traditional hydrofoiling. To make that leap even easier, we have curated a turnkey setup built around proven North hardware: the Foil Drive North Boost Foil Drive Package. In this breakdown, Ryan from MACkiteboarding explains why this package works so well for first-time foilers, experienced wing and kite foilers, and anyone looking for a hig …

At MACkite, we love anything that will help us get up on foil. You've probably seen us gush about Foil Drive's mast-mounted propeller. Now there's an exciting new take on the foil assist concept: the FLITELab AMPJet. As you can probably guess, it uses a jet instead of a propeller, and it's lodged right inside the board for a completely clean and drag-free foil. Jeff caught up with creator Chris Reynolds at AWSI to chat about what the AMPJet is, who it's for, and what went into developing …

Riding the Foil Drive Max opens up an entirely different way to approach foiling—especially in a place like the Great Lakes, where conditions can swing wildly from glassy summer days to fast-moving, overhead windswell. In this discussion, Ryan and Hunter break down how they think about foil selection based on real sessions on Lake Michigan, covering everything from one-foil solutions to full quiver setups. Rather than chasing theory, this guide is rooted in what actually works when you …

Introduction In this video, Jeff and Tucker share their first hands-on impressions of the FLITElab Flux foil lineup after riding multiple sizes across different conditions. The focus stays on how these foils actually feel on the water, how they compare within their own size range, and what kind of rider they make the most sense for—rather than leaning on marketing claims or spec sheets alone. Who This Product Is For The Flux series is clearly aimed at riders who already have solid foil …

Introduction With the launch of the Fusion Gen 2.5 system, Foil Drive introduced a refined, powerful safety feature: an integrated tilt sensor. While many riders will never think twice about it once it’s dialed in, the tilt sensor is one of those features that can cause confusion during first setup—especially if you haven’t read the manual or encountered a locked system that “won’t run.” This article walks through exactly how the Fusion Gen 2.5 tilt sensor …

Intuitive Power, Seamless Foiling, and a Glimpse Into the Future When Kai Lenny steps onto a new piece of foiling equipment for the first time, the feedback matters. As one of the most influential watermen of his generation, Kai’s opinions carry weight—not just because of his skill level, but because of his ability to immediately sense whether a piece of gear genuinely expands what’s possible on the water. In a recent first-ride session, Kai put the FLITElab AMP Jet board t …

Foil Drive’s V3 Controller is a true from-scratch redesign that aims to make riding more straightforward, safer, and more data-rich. In Paul’s deep dive, he walks through the new hardware, the updated control modes (including the new gear mode), the on-screen data pages, and the settings that help you tune the remote for your riding style—whether you’re learning, cruising, or chasing waves. What’s New With the Foil Drive V3 Controller A more ergonomic, lighter r …

Appletree Surfboards has built a reputation for pushing foil board design forward, and the Zapple S is a straightforward extension of that mindset. Developed inside the Appletree factory and shaped with direct feedback from experienced riders, the Zapple S takes everything learned from the original Zapple and distills it into a shorter, more aggressive prone-style platform for advanced wave riding with Foil Drive. This board isn’t about accessibility or ease of use. It’s about pe …

Foil Drive has just released the Fusion. If you've been following our blog or YouTube channel, then you know that we love Foil Drive, so naturally we were stoked to get our hands on something new from them. We also realize that it can be a bit confusing keeping track of all the options they have now, so Ryan and Hunter are here to break down what this new offering from Foil Drive is about. What Is the Fusion? The short answer is that it's an eFoil alternative that can also be used as a f …

Foil Drive has just released a new model, the Fusion. What is it, and should you get that or the Max? They're similar but have some important differences, so Ryan and Hunter are here to go over those and what sort of rider might enjoy each one. What Is the Foil Drive Fusion? Some people enjoy using their Foil Drive in eFoil mode, with the propeller low on the mast so it's always in the water. The Fusion has embraced that use and offers a longer, more powerful runtime. With the ability to …

SHOP Foil Drive Trench Boards! Foil Drive has reshaped the way riders approach foiling, opening the door to smaller boards and foils, and enabling dramatically longer flights. As Dominic from Foil Drive Europe explains, the system is a full-on cheat code in the best possible way. The next evolution in the Foil Drive ecosystem is the rise of dedicated trench boards—board designs that integrate the Foil Drive unit into the deck for improved balance, reduced drag, and higher performanc …

You've probably noticed an eFoil or two while out on the water. Two of the most notable brands on the market today are Foil Drive and Waydoo. We’ve been riding both here on Lake Michigan and at our spring demo sessions, and each system fills a pretty different niche once you get it out on the water. Ryan and Hunter wanted to break things down as honestly as possible so you can figure out which one fits your riding, your crew, and the type of spots you hit. What These Systems Actuall …

Introduction Two years after unveiling the Gen 2 system—a system many riders would agree reshaped the assisted-foiling landscape—Ben and Paul from Foil Drive are back with something entirely new. They call it Gen 2.5. They call it Fusion. Based on what they’ve shared, this release isn’t a minor update or a simple refresh. It’s a third pillar in the Foil Drive ecosystem, designed to deliver more runtime, more power, smarter technology, and a flexible experience t …