The world of water sports is evolving at a rapid pace. There are newer sports to practice and gear to try out. The latest trend is foil boarding. If you love spending time at the beach, chances are you might have already seen a foil board. It is one of the most exciting water sports which you can try out.
The technology used in the foil boards is similar to the foiling technique used in sailboat racing. The difference is that now it has been incorporated into a surfboard which makes it much more accessible. Today, we will not only help you understand what exactly is motorized foil board but also highlight the three best options which you can choose when you’re searching for motorized foil boards.
![2019 Starboard Foil Surf Board [New Shape]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_92WHvhtJ0Q/0.jpg "Guide to Foil Boards 1")
What are motorized foil boards?
A motorized foil board is a surfboard which consists of a hydrofoil below it. The hydrofoil extends into the water. At the end of the hydrofoil, there is a motor. As the speed of the motor increases, the board lifts itself above the water. Once the motor speed reduced, the board again moves nearer to the water surface.
The motor at the end of the hydrofoil gets powered through a lithium-ion battery. The surfboard houses the lithium-ion battery. You can control the speed of the motor with the help of a wireless remote control which you need to hold in your hands. Thus, you get complete control over the speed at which you are moving. You can turn the surfboard by adjusting your weight. It is not uncommon for foil boards to reach speeds of 25 mph.
The foil boards are available in 2 variants. The first one is the motorized foil board which we explained above. The second one is the towable foil board. The towable foil board as the name suggests can be attached to the end of the boat. It is similar in construction to the motorized foil boards, but the only difference is that the motor is missing, but the hydrofoil generates the lift due to the motion of the boat.
The towable foil board can travel at a higher speed since its movement is dependent on the boat speed. However, once the board reaches the maximum lift and if the speed increases further, it will lose some lift and move closer to the water surface. The cycle will repeat itself as the speed of the boat increases. The best thing about foil boards is that you will not face any jerks or vibrations when you’re riding it.
When it comes to foil boards, these are the options which you need to consider. We will now look at the working principle of the foil board to help you understand the science behind it.
Working principle:
The foil board uses the kinetic energy of the water swell. The standing position of the rider helps him/her achieve the same effect as the use of kiteboard. The function of the hydrofoil is not only to provide the lift but also cushion the impact of rough water conditions. The advantage of the foil board over the kiteboard is that it rises higher above the water as compared to the kiteboard.
The design of the hydrofoil allows it to attain higher speed and get a lift at lower speeds. Kiteboards require specific water conditions to generate that lift. Foil boards can work on any water irrespective of the water conditions. That is why they are becoming so popular.
Now that you are aware of the working principle of motorized foil boards let us share with you the top 3 options which you can choose from when it comes to foil boards.
Contents
SLINGSHOT Wakefoiler Package
If you’re looking for a foil board which is towable and which can bring new adventure to your water sporting experience, you can consider this option. The length of the board is 4’10,” and the width is 20 inches. With the weight of just 7.9 lbs., you can quickly move it around.
When using it for towable water sports, it moves at a slower speed of 8 mph to 12 mph. That is why, if you’re starting with water sports, it is one of the best options for you. It works equally well in choppy and calm waters. The best thing about this foil board is that it comes with two masts. One is of 15 inches, and another is of 24 inches. You can choose the mast according to your skills. When using foil board for the first time, you can choose the shorter mast whereas if you have prior experience, you can choose the longer one. The longer one will provide you with more lift above the water.
The foil board consists of a 12-inch track system. With the help of this track system, you can control the lift. You can now adjust the elevation to the level which is comfortable for you. If you like riding behind the boat, this foil board is one of the best options which you have. You can precisely control your experience once you get the hang of it. The excellent control on offer in this foil board makes it a great option.
Features:
• Comes along with two masts
• Length of 4’10”
• Suitable for any water condition
• Easy to control the lift
• Portable
• Track system on offer
• Lightweight
4’4 Wake Foil Board Package
The next foil board which we are speaking about has a length of 4’4”. The size is such that you can easily control the direction and the lift. The aesthetically pleasing design is an added advantage.
When looking for a towable foil board, it is undoubtedly a good option. The limited edition board allows you to control the lift through the front foot. You can quickly reduce the elevation to ride closer to the water. The direction of the board is easy to adjust by displacing the weight of your body. The heavy-duty hydrofoil below ensures that you can ride at higher speeds without any vibration. It is entirely comfortable even at high speed which allows you to ride it comfortably. There is not a significant amount of learning curve when trying to use this foil board.
Once you get the board, you have to attach the mast and the hydrofoil. All the hardware which you need to assemble comes along with it. You get instructions along with the foil board which allows you to set-up quite quickly. There is no need to spend hours together or hire a professional to assemble it. You can do so yourself. Thus, when looking for a foil board which has a heavy duty construction, you can go with this one.
Features:
• Aesthetically pleasing design
• Heavy duty construction
• Easy to assemble
• Comes along with all the hardware
• 4’8” length
Slingshot Sports Air Strike 7’8″ SUP FOIL Board
- NO MORE BAD DAYS: SHRED SMALL AND MARGINAL SWELL
- TRACK MOUNT PROVIDES ADJUSTABLE FOIL POSITION
- WIDE, HIGH-VOLUME SHAPE AIDS IN CATCHING SMALL WAVES
Many people prefer the foil board which is longer. It allows them more space and better control. It is especially suitable if you’re a big guy/girl. The foil board which we are speaking about now fits those requirements exactly. The length of the foil board is 7’8”. It is much better as compared to the options which we discussed above. The unique thing about such a big foil board is that you can get the lift in any water condition. You don’t have to wait for the ideal water conditions to go foil boarding. The thickness of the board is just 4.2 inches which allows you to carry it with you quite easily.
The board offers an adjustable hydrofoil position. It allows you to customize the performance of the board as per your needs. The width of the board ensures that you can get the lift from the smaller waves as well. When you look at the construction, it has a bamboo finish. There are carbon reinforcements throughout the board which makes it highly durable as compared to the other board options. The bamboo finish makes it aesthetically pleasing as compared to the other choices which you have.
You can mount the mast as per the lift which you need. If you’re looking to gain lift from the smaller waves or if your physique is on the smaller side, you can mount the mast at the forward position. If you’re a big guy or if you want to ride the bigger waves, it is a good idea to mount to the mast at the backward position available.
It will allow you to gain maximum lift and provide you with better control considering the stance which you will have on the foil board. The mast adjusting feature makes it a good choice for individuals who are learning foil boarding as well as ones who have experience in foil boarding. It allows you to customize the lift as per your preference. The customization option also means that you don’t need to wait for any specific conditions to use this foil board. Another unique feature of this foil board is that all the hardware which you need to attach the mast comes along with it. You don’t need to buy it separately. When you’re looking for a versatile foil board, it does not get any better than this.
Features:
• Versatile
• Large length
• Portable
• Adjustable mast position
• Heavy duty construction
So, if you’re looking to enjoy the emerging trend of foil boarding, you can easily choose between these three foil board options. We have taken great efforts to select only the best foil boards for you. If you’re tired of searching for towable or motorized foil boards, go through our list above, and you can find the one which suits your requirements perfectly.