Basic Questions about E-Foils and E-Foiling
An “e-foil” (short for electric foil) board is a electrically propelled surfboard elevated above the surface of the water by means of a vertical mast and hydrofoil “wings” to generate lift to elevate the rider so the board can hover above the water (as opposed to riding on a board skimming or plaining on the surface).
People who have mastered e-foils make it look graceful and even effortless. Of course, the same might be said of riding a bicycle, which so many people know how to do that we all take it for granted. But for those without experience and jumping on board for the first time, it can be rather intimidating, especially if attempted without a trainer to run along side or without the help of “training wheels”–or the hydraulic equivalent. That’s where Northwoods E-foils comes in, offering one-on-one lessons to help you get your “sea legs”, as well as the latest gyro and level sensor assist systems so that you can minimize your time in the water such that you can maximize your time on and even above the water!
No, you don’t HAVE to take a lesson to learn how to ride an e-foil, but rather you GET to take a lesson. After all, with taking lessons will save you time… and time is money. In fact, those buying boards through Northwoods E-foils will be entitled to a free 1 hour lesson session so they may better prepare for making a purchase or more quickly acclimate to and have more confidence with the new gear that they’ve purchased.
Fast enough. Seriously, E-foils might typically top out at 25 to 30 mph, but that’s not necessarily the “sweet spot” for all riders. After all, speed on the water can feel very different, and many riders feel more comfortable and safer at lower cruising speeds where they can enjoy carving on turns and playing with the waves. Gear tuning is also a factor, as more advanced and high aspect wings lend themselves to operation at higher speeds at the cost of low speed stability and control.
E-foil board range and operating time is contingent upon a number of factors, including:
- Rider weight.
- Battery size.
- Board size/weight.
- Rider skill level and riding style.
- Wind and weather.
Given those factors, a rider can expect to run 1-2 hours on a single charge, with a range up to about 20 miles.
When it comes to water sports, E-foiling offers many advantages. Some E-foiling advantages include:
- Autonomous operation–no need for spotters or other drivers.
- Environmentally friendly–small wake and electric motor equate to minimum impact on the environment (wildlife, shoreline, and lake beds).
- Fiscally responsible–no gas tank means cheap operating cost per mile or per hour.
- Portability–a foil board can be easily transported in the trunk of a car.
- Versatility–can be launched from piers and beaches with no boat ramps.
- Good Exercise–E-foiling is a low-impact activity and good for building core building.
Compared to other powered watercraft, E-foiling is a great high-value alternative to more complex rigs and setups.
E-foil boards fall under the category of personal watercraft in the state of Wisconsin, where kids 12 or over must complete a boater’s safety course. For Northwoods E-foils, students must be at least 13 years old to meet insurance requirements. Apart from that, riders should be proficient swimmers despite the fact that they are obligated to wear USCG approved PFD’s.
E-foil package prices can vary in price according to a number of variables, including:
- Brand
- Board material (carbon fiber, EPP/EPS foam core, inflatable).
- Drive type (standard propeller, folding propeller, enclosed impeller / jet drive).
- Mast and foil material (aluminum, carbon fiber, .
- Battery size / capacity (
- Controller type (base or advanced).
Given this wide variance in gear packages, performance capabilities, manufacturing methods and production costs, new e-foil package retail prices can vary from about $5,000 to $15,000.
Basic Questions for E-Foil Students and Board Shoppers
An “e-foil” (short for electric foil) board is a electrically propelled surfboard elevated above the surface of the water by means of a vertical mast and hydrofoil “wings” to generate lift to elevate the rider so the board can hover above the water (as opposed to riding on a board skimming or plaining on the surface).
People who have mastered e-foils make it look graceful and even effortless. Of course, the same might be said of riding a bicycle, which so many people know how to do that we all take it for granted. But for those without experience and jumping on board for the first time, it can be rather intimidating, especially if attempted without a trainer to run along side or without the help of “training wheels”–or the hydraulic equivalent. That’s where Northwoods E-foils comes in, offering one-on-one lessons to help you get your “sea legs”, as well as the latest gyro and level sensor assist systems so that you can minimize your time in the water such that you can maximize your time on and even above the water!
No, you don’t HAVE to take a lesson to learn how to ride an e-foil, but rather you GET to take a lesson. After all, with taking lessons will save you time… and time is money. In fact, those buying boards through Northwoods E-foils will be entitled to a free 1 hour lesson session so they may better prepare for making a purchase or more quickly acclimate to and have more confidence with the new gear that they’ve purchased.
Fast enough. Seriously, E-foils might typically top out at 25 to 30 mph, but that’s not necessarily the “sweet spot” for all riders. After all, speed on the water can feel very different, and many riders feel more comfortable and safer at lower cruising speeds where they can enjoy carving on turns and playing with the waves. Gear tuning is also a factor, as more advanced and high aspect wings lend themselves to operation at higher speeds at the cost of low speed stability and control.
Depending upon your experience level, Northwoods E-Foils may either suggest a learning venue or perhaps another special riding area that is best suited for you and/or your group.
Because the E-foil isn’t a toy and is regarded to be in the same category as Jetskis, i.e., powered personal watercraft, students should all be familiar with Wisconsin regulations before beginning their E-Foil lessons.
Whether you are doing solo lessons or lessons with a larger group, one question remains. If you are serious about buying a board, for what do you hope that the board is best suited?
- Beginner rider(s)?
- Adults or kids?
- Large or small riders?
- Casual riding?
- Aggressive and performance riding?
- Long range?
- Wave riding?
- Traveling?
- Economy?
If you are shopping for a board, it would be best to have a good idea of how you intend to use it, so that Northwoods E-Foils can help you pick gear that best suits your needs.
E-foil board range and operating time is contingent upon a number of factors, including:
- Rider weight.
- Battery size.
- Board size/weight.
- Rider skill level and riding style.
- Wind and weather.
Given those factors, a rider can expect to run 1-2 hours on a single charge, with a range up to about 20 miles.
E-foils use different foils or “wings” to produce lift and are optimized with different performance goals in mind:
- High aspect wings (featuring smaller cord and a wider span and less surface area) are generally higher performance designed for faster and more aggressive riding and turning.
- Low aspect wings are typically designed to generate more lift at lower speeds and are as such easier to control and balance upon, but are higher drag and less efficient, consequentially offering less range and run time.
Because experienced riders will spend most time riding “on foil”, wings are ultimately the most influential component that impacts ride performance that is easy to change. Relative to the board, they are a fraction of the cost and can be exchanged for ride or rider preference with just a couple of screws.
While mast height can also impact the “feel” of your ride, there are several factors to consider:
- Shorter masts are typically best for beginners as they react quicker to rider input. They also offer increased stability and lower center of gravity and final ride height, making falls easier thus making them less intimidating for beginners.
- Taller masts are typically suggested for those riding in large waves or rougher waters, creating more space between the foil and the board. Taller masts also can offer more “range” and time for reaction to changes in foil pitch. They also provide more leverage for board pumping, and offer better roll control allowing for sharper turns. They can also be more intimidating given the height.
Masts, like foils, can be swapped to give change your E-foil board’s ride characteristics, although it takes more time and is more involved than just swapping a front foil and/or rear stabilizer.
While trade names and drive types may vary to some degree, they can be best summarized as follows:
- Conventional propeller (with removable guard), which typically offers good efficiency, power, and range.
- Foldable propeller (for wave riding and pump foiling) and higher efficiency.
- Impeller or “jet” drive: More fully enclosed housing makes the drive operate more like a pump than a propeller, and creates a more directed thrust. While it is considered the safest, it is generally the lowest in power/range/efficiency.
It should be noted that the more shrouded the propulsion unit is, the more subject it may be to entanglement via weeds, lines, plastic debris, etc., and that there are other safety features or provisions inherently built in to control and shutoff systems that generally alleviate risk of injury via propeller lacerations.
The State of Wisconsin requires all riders of PWC’s such as E-foils to wear U.S.C.G. approved PFD’s, a.k.a. “life jackets”. While it is suggested that students be fitted, Northwoods E-foils can furnish PFD’s as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code, as well as helmets which are not required for legal purposes but rather for prudence and to meet insurance requirements. Helmets can help minimize the chance of injury in the event that the rider collide with the board and foil apparatus, but also in the event that the rider be thrown from the board in the event of shallow waters or shallow underwater obstructions.