# DIY FOIL ASSIST - inside a prone board
**URL:** https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518
**Category:** Build, Repair & Mod
**Created:** [April 13, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518 "2024-04-13T17:12:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/1 "2024-04-13T17:12:03Z")
I’ve spent the last few months with the odd hour here and there, building a prone board that can take my faux drive inside but also be removed and replaced with a light weight block of shaped xps to take the void and used as a normal prone board.
I’ve been out on it 3 times now and can report it is a success which is a massive relief!
I couldn’t have done it without the help of this forum and the members on here. Big thanks to Tim Setter, Jess, Ludwig and Hangloose in particular.
Some of the specs are:
Board - 5ft 6” by 18.5” 60L
Battery - 12s2p 21700 p45b cells.
ESC - Flycolor x-cross 160a
I’m not good enough yet to get up and ride and hold a GoPro stick but hopefully soon I can get some photos of it in action.
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### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/2 "2024-04-13T17:14:34Z")
Some more pics:
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### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/3 "2024-04-13T17:16:14Z")
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### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/4 "2024-04-13T17:18:09Z")
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### Author:  [@hangloose](https://foil.zone/u/hangloose)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/5 "2024-04-13T18:53:04Z")
Very cool and very well implemented.
You really did a good job. I’m always happy to see my designs being used by others.
Keep up the good work.
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### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/6 "2024-04-17T16:37:45Z")
It works! I got a chance to try it in small waves yesterday having only tried in flat water previously. Buzzing! 😀
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### Author:  [@Cdl](https://foil.zone/u/Cdl)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/7 "2024-04-17T18:35:14Z")
Hi @nekitesurfing, Am tempted to try a full board build like this at some point in the future. Did you buy this board blank from somewhere or is this your own shaping. Looks like CNC cut marks in the shaping? It looks really awesome. Do you have any stringers embedded in the board?
Thanks
Chris
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### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/8 "2024-04-19T15:27:55Z")
The box that takes the battery was built separately and is made of 10mm high density foam laminated with carbon fibre. This was then inserted into the board along with two 3mm thick carbon rods either side of it on the deck to act as strengthening beams across the void. The carbon lamination of the foil box also extends right past where the box is on the hull to provide strength. It is early days but no signs of weakness yet. I’ve been pumping the board without motor for a few sessions now.
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### Author:  [@windego](https://foil.zone/u/windego)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2024, 10:06pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/9 "2024-04-19T22:06:58Z")
Gofoil just announced
they have patented a prone board design where the FD sits inside. I think they are too late to get that but whatever. Its on facebook ALex Aguera gofoil ceo.
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### Author:  [@Jezza](https://foil.zone/u/Jezza)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2024, 8:56am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/10 "2024-04-20T08:56:38Z")
> [@windego](#):
>
> patented a prone board design where the FD sits inside
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Patent pending, these companies are completely out of touch! There are at least 20 manufacturers that are already doing this.
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### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2024, 9:11am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/11 "2024-05-05T09:11:43Z")
First video footage:
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2xv21fuirQ)
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### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [December 26, 2024, 8:47am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/12 "2024-12-26T08:47:00Z")
Here is a clip of version 2, the “snot rocket”.
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwKe6pGQ-U)
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### Author:  [@Bzhwindtalker](https://foil.zone/u/Bzhwindtalker)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/13 "2024-12-28T19:31:41Z")
Stunning board and shots, thanks for the inspiration 🫡
may need to cut a hatch in my DW build now 😂
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### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2024, 9:45pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/14 "2024-12-28T21:45:35Z")
Thanks. I took inspiration from @s9tim. There are still a good number of improvement that can be made. Weight being the biggest. If I went for a v2 version with a carbon mast, different motor, lighter lamination schedule and smaller hatch, it would be another kg lighter. I’m slowly working on putting a hatched version in my DW sup at the minute with a tiny motor. After that, a tow boogie! It never ends 😀.
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### Author:  [@oldmate](https://foil.zone/u/oldmate)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/15 "2025-01-09T20:56:40Z")
@nekitesurfing this is really amazing!
I’m planning out my first attempt at a faux drive build which will start off as an external box attached to the deck of my 6’4 85L midlength wing board. I’m 6ft 85kg, lots of wing experience in waves but zero prone foil.
Given your experience testing and building multiple systems, have you now got a favorite battery + motor + ESC + remote combo?
I had an initial plan, but I’ve read through a lot of builds on this forum which has made me less sure about the parts to buy. I’m leaning towards Flipsky VX3 remote, Flipsky 6384 waterproof motor, ESC TBD, battery 12s2p, housing TBD.
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### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [January 10, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/16 "2025-01-10T16:38:23Z")
I’m very happy with the balance between weight and power of the 12s2p pack with p45b molicel cells.
I’ve stuck with the Maytech remote. I don’t love it but it works fine.
I’m using a mixture of Flycolor hv3 and castle phoenix escs. The later are more expensive but really good quality and give me confidence to push the board harder.
The integrated mast is a lovely upgrade.
I’ve had the most success out of the cheap aliexpress 6384 motor. It uses less amps when getting up and going than the Saite and flipsky. Having said that, @s9tim has been experimenting with other motor options with some very interesting results.
S9tim is at the very front of developments on the internal foil drive boards, efficient motors and mast integrations. I’m very much a follower.
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### Author:  [@oldmate](https://foil.zone/u/oldmate)
#### Post date: [January 10, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/17 "2025-01-10T18:54:06Z")
Thanks for the tips!
I ended up starting my own thread so I can keep track of recommendations.
> [@New Foil Assist Build in South Island, New Zealand](https://foil.zone/t/new-foil-assist-build-in-south-island-new-zealand/22644):
>
> Hey team, I’ve seen foil drive gen 2 riders out having a blast at my local, I wish to join them but can’t afford the price tag. I’m an experienced wing foiler & surfer, but not prone foiling. My first attempt will be a classic bolt on, I appreciate this has been done many times before but its my first foray into hobby electronics. I have done a small amount of 3D printing at my local library, so could do that or might investigate setting up my own printer. My requirements are: 85kg rider 85…
Definitely looking for a robust ESC that is less likely to burn out and can deal with heat.
Similar with a housing, I’ve been scouring builds looking for one that can offload heat without cutting extra holes through the box.
Thanks!!
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### Author:  [@Joka](https://foil.zone/u/Joka)
#### Post date: [March 23, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/18 "2025-03-23T19:05:13Z")
Hi! Amazon project! How much noserocker did you use for this board?i planing to build something similar with a hatch.
How did you do the hole for the cable?
Thanks!
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### Author:  [@nekitesurfing](https://foil.zone/u/nekitesurfing)
#### Post date: [March 23, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/diy-foil-assist-inside-a-prone-board/20518/19 "2025-03-23T19:37:11Z")
I copied the axis foil drive board shape including the rocker using shape3d and an image outline.
The motor phase wires connect to the board via an mr60 connector that is permanently connected to the board.
