There's a moment every foiler knows. You're paddling hard, the foil is lifting, and then — gone. The wave dies, the wind drops, the magic disappears. Foil Drive exists to make sure that moment never has to happen again.
What Is Foil Drive, and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Foil Drive is an Australian-engineered electric foil assist system that attaches to your existing hydrofoil setup and gives you on-demand motor power through a handheld throttle controller. It's not an e-foil — you still ride and feel like a surfer, a winger, or a prone foiler. The motor is simply there when you need it: to catch more waves, extend your glide, get upwind, or link runs that would otherwise require paddling back to the start.
The result? More time flying. Less time paddling. And a grin that doesn't leave your face.
Foil Drive launched out of South Australia and has become one of the most talked-about pieces of gear in the foiling world. The reason is simple: it doesn't change what foiling is — it amplifies it. You still feel every swell, every gust, every pump. The motor just removes the barriers that kept sessions short or spots inaccessible.
Who Is Foil Drive For?
The honest answer: almost anyone who foils.
The weekend warrior who wants longer sessions without the fitness tax. The prone surfer who wants to catch more waves at their local break. The winger who needs to get upwind when the wind dies unexpectedly. The experienced foiler who wants to push into territory — downwind runs, open ocean crossings, glassy days — that simply wasn't possible before.
It's also a genuine learning accelerator. Getting up on a foil is one of the hardest parts of the whole sport. With a Foil Drive under your board, beginners can get more time in the flying position in a single session than they'd normally get in a week of lessons. That accelerated time-on-foil translates directly into faster skill development.
If you already own a hydrofoil, Foil Drive is the upgrade that transforms it from a fair-weather toy into an all-conditions weapon.
The Foil Drive Lineup: Which System Is Right for You?
Foil Drive currently offers three distinct systems, each targeting a different type of rider and riding style.
Foil Drive Assist Slim — From $7,150
The Assist Slim is the performance purist's choice. Smaller, lighter, and lower-profile than the MAX, it's designed for riders who want the least possible impact on the feel and hydrodynamics of their foil. If you're an experienced foiler who wants power-on-demand without sacrificing the sensation of riding, this is your system.
It runs on the Slim Endurance Battery and pairs with Foil Drive's V2 motor in your choice of mast extension length (15cm through to 70cm), so it fits virtually any existing foil setup. Think of it as the minimalist option — subtle, slick, and seriously capable.
Best for: Experienced foilers, wingsurfers, prone surfers, kite foilers who want power assistance with the least compromise to feel.
Foil Drive Assist MAX — From $9,050
The Assist MAX is Foil Drive's flagship assist system and the most popular unit they make. It runs a larger battery (including the option for the MAX High Power Battery at 594Wh — the most powerful battery in the range), pairs with the High Power V2 Motor, and unlocks what Foil Drive calls Maximum Boost Mode: 128% throttle for up to 18 seconds of pure, unrestrained acceleration.
The numbers are remarkable. Paired with the High Power Motor and High Power Battery, riders can access up to 40–45% more runtime than the standard MAX Power Battery. The system is IP68 certified, weighs 2.8kg for the battery alone, and charges via the Foil Drive 40V Fast Charger (which charges at 8A, getting you back on the water faster).
This is the system most of our customers at Stonker end up choosing. It's the sweet spot of power, range, and versatility.
Best for: All-round foilers, SUP foilers, downwinders, beginners wanting maximum assistance, anyone who wants to absolutely rip.
Foil Drive Fusion — From $11,540
The Fusion is Foil Drive's most powerful and most sophisticated product. This is where the technology gets serious.
Running a 43V system with the ability to pair with integrated masts from Armstrong, F-One, and North (among others), the Fusion is capable of full e-foil performance. That means self-propelled riding, not just assisted paddling. It's the system for riders who want to do open ocean crossings, extended downwind runs, or simply have maximum power available at all times.
The Fusion also pairs with the Fusion 860 Battery ($2,399) — a high-capacity pack engineered for serious, extended sessions. And the V3 Throttle Controller ($499), launched alongside the Fusion, brings a larger display with GPS data across four real-time pages and dual-redundant sensors, making it the most advanced controller Foil Drive has ever built.
Integrated mast bundles (Armstrong / F-One / North) start from $12,970, and for those wanting the ultimate combination, the Foil Drive Fusion x North UHM80 Integrated Mast package comes in at $14,441 — pairing the Fusion system with North's Ultra High Modulus carbon mast for a seamlessly integrated, freakishly smooth setup.
Best for: Advanced riders, e-foil converts, anyone wanting full self-propulsion capability, downwind specialists, serious performance chasers.
What Does a Complete Foil Drive Setup Cost?
Let's be real about the investment, because transparency builds trust.
| System | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Foil Drive Assist Slim | From $7,150 |
| Foil Drive Assist MAX | From $9,050 |
| Foil Drive Fusion | From $11,540 |
| Fusion x North UHM80 Bundle | $14,441 |
On top of the system itself, you'll want to budget for:
- Extra battery — having a second battery effectively doubles your session time. The MAX High Power Battery is $1,815. The Fusion 860 Battery is $2,399.
- Fast charger — the Foil Drive 40V Fast Charger 8A ($440) is a worthwhile investment. Charging time matters when you're trying to run back-to-back sessions.
- Battery grease — Foil Drive's Dielectric Battery Grease is essential for waterproofing connectors and protecting your investment. Available in 15g ($15) and 250g ($90).
- Wrist leash — the Kaohi x Foil Drive Wrist Leash ($45) keeps your throttle controller secured to your wrist. We've seen what happens when people don't use one.
All up, a fully specced Assist MAX setup with a second battery and fast charger puts you around $11,000–$12,000. For the Fusion, budget $14,000–$17,000 depending on your integrated mast choice.
Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Every single customer we've sold one to has said the same thing: "I should have done this sooner."
What Foil Do I Need to Run Foil Drive?
This is one of the most common questions we get, and the good news is that Foil Drive is designed to work with most existing hydrofoil setups.
For the Assist Slim and Assist MAX, the motor attaches to your existing mast extension, and Foil Drive offers motor lengths from 15cm to 70cm to suit different mast and fuselage configurations. You'll need to check compatibility with your specific foil brand and mast.
For the Fusion, the integrated mast option is the cleanest installation — replacing your existing mast with a purpose-built Foil Drive integrated unit from Armstrong, F-One, or North. It results in a sleeker, more powerful setup with no external motor bracket. We stock the Armstrong Foil Drive Integrated Carbon Mast ($2,789) if you're running Armstrong gear.
Come into Stonker in Torquay and we'll assess your existing setup and tell you exactly what's compatible and what you'll need.
How Do You Actually Use It?
The learning curve on Foil Drive is surprisingly gentle. The throttle controller sits in your hand (secured to your wrist with a leash), and power delivery is progressive and intuitive. Most riders feel comfortable within their first session.
The Assist Slim and MAX both operate in a 'hybrid' mode — meaning the motor gives you assistance, but you're still actively pumping and riding the foil. It's a conversation between you and the system, not a replacement for skill. The Fusion opens up full self-propulsion for those who want it.
A few practical tips from our experience:
Start with less throttle than you think you need. The power delivery is smooth but quick, and new users often over-throttle early on. Build up gradually.
Use the wrist leash every session. No exceptions.
Rinse everything after salt water. The systems are IP68 rated, but good habits extend the life of any waterproof equipment.
Grease your battery connectors. This is not optional. Use Foil Drive's Dielectric Battery Grease every few sessions to keep connections clean and waterproof.
Why Buy From Stonker?
We're not just selling Foil Drive — we live it. Our team rides Foil Drive regularly in the waters around Torquay and the Surf Coast, and we know this gear from the inside out.
When you buy from us, you get honest, experience-based advice on which system suits your riding, your existing gear, and your budget. We'll make sure you leave with the right setup, not just the most expensive one.
We also stock the full range of Foil Drive accessories — batteries, chargers, grease, leashes, integrated masts — so you can build your perfect kit in one place.
Ready to get into it? Come see us in Torquay, or browse the full Foil Drive range on the site. Your longest foiling sessions are ahead of you.
Stonker Boardsports — Torquay's home for hydrofoiling and electric foil assist. We stock the full Foil Drive lineup including the Assist Slim, Assist MAX, Fusion, and all accessories.
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