Waydoo EVO | Luxury Efoil Performance at a Budget Price?
eFoiling seems to be the hottest new sport, but would it surprise you to know that it's already been around for about 10 years? The biggest thing holding it back from reaching mainstream popularity was the price tag; at $10,000-$15,000 it definitely wasn't for the masses. Now some budget options are starting to hit the market, but even at half the price, it's still a major purchase for most of us. So, are they worth it or will you just be tossing your money into something that kinda works, but not well enough to be all that fun? Wake Thief has reviewed hundreds of foils, and now he's had a chance to get his hands on the new Waydoo Evo so he can share his thoughts with us.
Wake Thief reviewed the Waydoo Flyer One Plus last year and it was his favorite eFoil in the budget category, so he's familiar with the brand. At first glance the new Evo didn't look like a budget eFoil. Could Waydoo finally have cracked the nut that's been holding the sport back?
Board Size
The board comes in three sizes. While the biggest one is the easiest to learn on, it's not as fun once you've got the hang of it, and most people will soon wish for a smaller board. The smallest board maneuvers like a hoverboard, but because there's a heavy battery in there, it doesn't feel much more fluid than a midsize board, and they're hard to get on foil. The 90L board is right in that middle sweet spot and is Wake Thief's recommendation.
The two larger boards are foam, and Wake Thief found this to be a good thing. It's more forgiving and requires less maintenance. Let's face it- eFoils are heavy and it's hard to get it to the water without scuffing it against something. You can use and abuse it and it'll still look and work great. Plus it makes wipeouts less painful.
Motor Size
The bigger motor can fly bigger riders. Waydoo says their 6kW motor can lift up to a 370lb rider, so that's the beast to choose if you need it. As impressive as it was, it had a lot more power than Wake Thief needed, and the 4kW motor uses less battery.
Battery Size
There are two battery sizes, and Wake Thief recommends the larger one. It gave him 90 minutes on the water, which is nearly twice what last year's model could do. Both the battery and remote have been upgraded with more display options and all the info you need, bringing them in line with the luxury models of eFoil.
Wings
There are three models of wing. The big wing is easier for beginners and will take off at a slower speed. However, it won't go as fast. If speed is your priority, go with the smallest wing, which is Wake Thief's favorite.
Masts
There are three mast lengths to choose from. All three work well, so go with the one that suits you best. Wake Thief likes to be close to the foil so he went with the smallest.
Plus Models
The Plus models come with the new flight assist sensor in the board. This monitors the board's height above the water and helps maintain elevation so you don't touch down and crash as often. Although it seems to be a feature geared toward beginners and can be turned off, Wake Thief liked how it gave him the freedom to carve without worrying about touching down.
So... Is It Worth It?
Although Wake Thief doesn't eFoil every day, he has reviewed quite a few of them, and if you're on a budget, the Waydoo Evo is a great choice. It costs less than the luxury options, yet packs similar performance. He couldn't think of anything that was missing and had a lot of fun at a fraction of the cost.
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