# Foil Drive Assist, DIY
**URL:** https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927
**Category:** Build, Repair & Mod
**Created:** [June 21, 2021, 3:51am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927 "2021-06-21T03:51:30Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Maui](https://foil.zone/u/Maui)
#### Post date: [June 21, 2021, 3:51am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/1 "2021-06-21T03:51:30Z")
I want to duplicate the Foil Drive Assist at [Electric Foil Assist Kits | Foil Drive™ – Foil Drive Pty Ltd](https://www.foildrive.com.au/shop). It’s an lower powered efoil. I would appreciate ANY help in the build process. I’d like to start with a list of parts for the potential build. The company in Australia is retailing it for $3,400. Thanks, if my build is successful I’ll share it with others.
Again, I really need help in determining what parts I need for the build. I already have the board and foil.
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### Author:  [@Dynamik](https://foil.zone/u/Dynamik)
#### Post date: [June 21, 2021, 1:52pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/2 "2021-06-21T13:52:00Z")
Hi, this is a very interesting project. I recommend you start by choosing the motor! Without that it is impossible to select the other parts.
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### Author:  [@juandesooka](https://foil.zone/u/juandesooka)
#### Post date: [June 21, 2021, 5:38pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/4 "2021-06-21T17:38:01Z")
there were a few tips on foildrive on this thread from a month ago [Boost Surfing FIN greatly inspired by Efoil - #29 by SoEFoil](https://foil.zone/t/boost-surfing-fin-greatly-inspired-by-efoil/6561/29)
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### Author:  [@SoEFoil](https://foil.zone/u/SoEFoil)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2021, 12:49pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/5 "2021-06-28T12:49:25Z")
> [@Maui](#):
>
> The company in Australia is retailing it for $3,400.
Just to precise, that’s 2600usd.
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### Author:  [@Elnatx](https://foil.zone/u/Elnatx)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2021, 9:57pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/6 "2021-06-30T21:57:41Z")
Following… very interested too.
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### Author:  [@e-Jetter](https://foil.zone/u/e-Jetter)
#### Post date: [July 1, 2021, 7:56am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/7 "2021-07-01T07:56:31Z")
I commented here and deleted my original comment since I didn’t want to “knock their hustle” but whatever, It’s a 6374 motor 120~300kv, Maytech remote (you don’t need one, you can get a 20$ e-skate remote) you will need a 6s battery, 120~150A 3s-6s RC boat ESC like FlyColor, 3D printed prop, 3D printed mastclamp, you can build that whole setup for less than 300$, please do your own further research, you’re welcome.
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### Author:  [@Jatem](https://foil.zone/u/Jatem)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/8 "2021-07-17T00:48:15Z")
Anyone here used one or made one?
They seem to have a battery capacity of ~250wh which could give 20mins run time at 500w or more. Which model of cells are they using in their package? The boost would be good for paddling into bumps, and downwind runs, but I could see the battery running out quickly if you need to cover distance when you come off the foil.
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### Author:  [@SoEFoil](https://foil.zone/u/SoEFoil)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2021, 11:39pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/9 "2021-07-21T23:39:41Z")
This DiY project from April 2019 clearly inspired Foildrive.
Credit to Paul aka @rcjetman:
'[Mini motor for SUP surfing](https://foil.zone/t/mini-motor-for-sup-surfing/4192)
> [@Mini motor for SUP surfing](https://foil.zone/t/mini-motor-for-sup-surfing/4192):
>
> Well its time to build something new. I have been building my own electric surfboards for 10 + years and really enjoyed the process and the ease of surfing with some extra boost to get me out the back and on the waves. So now I’m into foiling and im in love ! After learning to ride the foil behind my boat (11,000kg 40 foot power boat ) it gave me the opportunity to learn to ride and also SURF the waves. After achieving free surf NO rope properly for the first time on the weekend its made me r…
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### Author:  [@Jezza](https://foil.zone/u/Jezza)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2021, 1:39pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/10 "2021-07-22T13:39:57Z")
I wouldn’t be surprised if Foildrive is his company…
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### Author:  [@Foil\_A\_Lot](https://foil.zone/u/Foil_A_Lot)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2021, 6:02am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/11 "2021-08-21T06:02:42Z")
I’m following this thread @Maui. Did you pick a motor?
The foildrive has the folding prop direct fixed to the aluminium housing via 4 m4 bolts not fixed on a shaft. They are a neat bit of kit but I’m keen to see more DIY creations from around the world.
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### Author:  [@juandesooka](https://foil.zone/u/juandesooka)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2021, 7:01pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/12 "2021-08-29T19:01:14Z")
> [@e-Jetter](#):
>
> I commented here and deleted my original comment since I didn’t want to “knock their hustle” but whatever, It’s a 6374 motor 120~300kv, Maytech remote (you don’t need one, you can get a 20$ e-skate remote) you will need a 6s battery, 120~150A 3s-6s RC boat ESC like FlyColor, 3D printed prop, 3D printed mastclamp, you can build that whole setup for less than 300$, please do your own further research, you’re welcome.
me too, curious to hear if Maui or anyone else pursued this.
What about this flipsky kit? [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001779488788.html?spm=a2g0o.store\_pc\_groupList.8148356.4.74ae43523kBZQD](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001779488788.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.4.74ae43523kBZQD)
realistically I probably need ‘plug and play’, I will probably end up splashing out on the name brand LOL
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### Author:  [@Jezza](https://foil.zone/u/Jezza)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2021, 10:34am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/13 "2021-08-31T10:34:24Z")
> [@juandesooka](#):
>
> What about this flipsky kit? [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001779488788.html?spm=a2g0o.store\_pc\_groupList.8148356.4.74ae43523kBZQD](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001779488788.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.4.74ae43523kBZQD)
Too heavy for a foildrive style kit. You want to use a 6384 100Kv motor for a foil drive. Realistically you could probably build the entire kit for about $500.
I’ll be doing a DIY version shortly…
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### Author:  [@pablo\_foil](https://foil.zone/u/pablo_foil)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2021, 11:54am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/14 "2021-08-31T11:54:12Z")
which cells do you plan to use to keep the weight (and Wh) down, while giving you enough power to take off?
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### Author:  [@Jezza](https://foil.zone/u/Jezza)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2021, 12:31pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/15 "2021-08-31T12:31:57Z")
It all depends on what you are looking for…
The foil drive uses a 6S4P Li-ion battery with Samsung 30q cells giving it 12000mah. Its designed to merely assist into waves or with a wing etc.
You could go for something with a little more power to give you slightly faster initial speed, but that will make it a bit heavier.
I plan to use mine predominantly to hijack boat wakes and I weigh around 93kg so it might need a little more power.
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### Author:  [@juandesooka](https://foil.zone/u/juandesooka)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2021, 2:32pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/16 "2021-08-31T14:32:02Z")
Thanks for the info Jeremy. Check your PMs
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### Author:  [@pablo\_foil](https://foil.zone/u/pablo_foil)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2021, 5:04pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/17 "2021-09-02T17:04:52Z")
Thanks for the info,
that souds doable, specially at that price. I’d like to get into downwind foling, so i guess that should be enough for me (70 kg and 1900cm2 veloce)
A bit (un)related:
have you seen this? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r31pmncOh\_o](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r31pmncOh_o)
this guy was pumping \>5min, so with a big foil, 500 watts should be enough to sustain flight i guess
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### Author:  [@mterea](https://foil.zone/u/mterea)
#### Post date: [September 4, 2021, 2:54pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/18 "2021-09-04T14:54:09Z")
Hey, yeah I’m working on this idea too, waiting for winter so that I have some activity to get through. Would like a small power setup that I can dock start, not needing that much power to get the board off the water.
> [@Foil pumping using low power efoil](https://foil.zone/t/foil-pumping-using-low-power-efoil/13171/4):
>
> Any thoughts on this parts list? I don’t think I’ll need 50% of the power in Parts List A, but the price difference seems so minor between A and B that I feel like I could just go with A and have headroom for adding extra cells as necessary? Parts list A [Brushless Motor 6384 120KV](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alomejor-Brushless-Outrunner-Controller-Skateboard/dp/B07Q75BCQJ) - ~$92 [5-12s 120A Brushless ESC Without BEC](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284231491213) - ~$123+ 6S lipo battery ? Comments: Same as this [this “bolt on” thread](https://foil.zone/t/bolt-on-build-in-perth/10134), seems 120A ESC appropriate for the 6384 motor. Pulling 60A to get onto foil and 30A to sustain. …
From what I’ve heard from the people using foil drive it seems like they are needing 70+% of throttle to stay on the foil, even when they are good at pumping. This makes me wonder how small a motor will be viable. Foil drive seems to be 3kw, I guess 1.5kw would be the smallest.
Also here is a useful clip, looks like plenty of power to get up on the foil with the bigger wing.
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE1rufxVHCg)
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jsGLSso6Ic)
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp6-l2-LZOM)
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### Author:  [@Jatem](https://foil.zone/u/Jatem)
#### Post date: [September 5, 2021, 9:29am UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/19 "2021-09-05T09:29:13Z")
Is the electronics box on these proving itself to remain watertight after a bunch of use?
I’d like to cut some weight from my tow boogie, but it seems a good idea to have two waterproof enclosures (an additional waterproof case for the battery) when you’re dealing with batteries and salt water.
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### Author:  [@juandesooka](https://foil.zone/u/juandesooka)
#### Post date: [September 5, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/20 "2021-09-05T16:04:48Z")
The heat from my stoke fire is becoming unbearable. 🙂 I am going to have to pursue one or more options here. I am deeply intimidated by the DIY stuff on this site, but kinda half considering giving it a go. But also thinking I may splash out on the real-deal Foil Drive to get started, use something I know works, then try to emulate it. If the DIY works, then re-sell the storebought. [Btw, FoilDrive is currently sold out…these things are taking off!]
So, dumb questions will be starting. First one: the recommended 6384 motor looks to have a smooth end, I think it’s run with belt systems. How do you screw a prop on? Replace the part, cut threads in, or some other clever solution?
Second: the parts lists various posters have noted include the motor, ESC, remote. Is the rest being DIY’d? Mount, waterproof box, folding prop (ideally).
Third: a biggie is battery. Foildrive website faq talks about why shipping is so expensive, because lithium batteries are considered dangerous goods. Are people repurposing batteries from other uses? For example, I have been thinking of buying a Milwaukee chain saw, it comes with 12ah battery…which seems to be in the ballpark for what people have mentioned here for diy kits. That may be completely off-base, I am such a noob! LOL
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### Author:  [@mterea](https://foil.zone/u/mterea)
#### Post date: [September 5, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927/21 "2021-09-05T19:55:00Z")
> [@juandesooka](#):
>
> talks about why shipping is so expensive, because lithium batteries are considered dangerous goods. Are people repurposing batteries from other uses? For example, I have been thinking of buying a Milwaukee
haha man you need to read some of the threads. Have a look at this one, with a nice pricelist.
> [@\[Surf n' Destroy\] Building a flying sniper rifle case](https://foil.zone/t/surf-n-destroy-building-a-flying-sniper-rifle-case/11555/32):
>
> Hey guys, our “Weapon of mass consumption” is entering the hot phase. A passive cooled HGLtech Hi 75/200 Vesc, mounted in a waterproof aluminium box will do the scutwork. It comes with 10AWG motorcables and 3 x XT60 plugs battery-sided. I cutted those (yay! free plugs) and soldered the 3 x 12AWG to a 8AWG cable. I also cutted the RJ45-plugs from an old networkcable and used it to extend the PPM+UART port of the Vesc to a second waterproof plasicbox which will be placed in the upper front of rif…
1. there’s a bolt that tightens and holds it in place
2. pretty much, all 3d printed mounts and props, waterproof boxes, soldering cables etc
3. li-ion or lipo batteries, mostly home built. You are looking for a higher voltage, read up about 12S batteries. You can buy lipos but they are explosive!
Foil drive maybe your best bet if you aren’t handy or experienced with RC as there is a real learning curve and the people doing these generally have a good idea of what they are doing. But I wouldn’t expect much more than a relatively close to DIY product with the foil drive, it looks quite simple, but without the hassle of getting there yourself. You’ll definitely be able to repurpose it all if you’d like to then enhance or change something as it’s all open format stuff.
[Next page](https://foil.zone/t/foil-drive-assist-diy/12927.md?page=2)