Searching F-One in Foil Assist
Looking to add an electric motor to your foil? GlissEvolution is an official distributor for Foil Drive and Duotone Electric in Pornichet. On-site testing, expert advice, and specialized after-sales support for foil assist!
En savoir plusFoil Assist: The electric boost that gets you flying on your foil.
Updated July 2026
The Foil Assist is a compact electric motor that attaches to your foil, helping you take-off and fly even without wind or waves. It transforms the often-challenging take-off into a simple press of a remote, then disengages to let you surf freely. Two systems lead the market: Foil Drive (Australia), with its battery mounted under the board, and Duotone (Germany), featuring a waist-worn battery. GlissEvolution, established in Pornichet since 2005 with fifteen years of expertise in electric mobility, is a major Foil Drive reseller in Europe and an official Duotone Electric distributor. Complete your setup with our complete kits, batteries and chargers, accessories, and compatible boards. Don't forget to explore our wing and foils ranges too!
How Does a Foil Assist Work?
A compact electric motor drives a propeller mounted near your foil's mast. Powered by a lithium battery, it provides the necessary thrust to reach take-off speed, then cuts out or goes into standby once you're flying. You control the power with a waterproof remote, held in your hand or on your wrist. The result? Faster learning, sessions even on no-wind days, and the freedom to return to your starting point effortlessly.
Foil Drive or Duotone: Which One is Right for You?
These two systems offer distinct philosophies. Foil Drive places the battery under the board and is compatible with most masts on the market, making it a modular choice that excels in downwind, flat water, and extended sessions. Duotone, on the other hand, positions the battery in a waist harness and uses a dedicated mast, keeping your board light and free for pure surf sensations in wing and prone.
| Criterion | Foil Drive | Duotone Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Position | Under the board | Worn at the waist (harness) |
| Mast | Adapts to most masts | Dedicated mast (aluminum or D/LAB carbon) |
| Range per battery | 30 minutes to several hours, depending on capacity | 35 to 60 min |
| Highlights | Downwind, flat water, long sessions | Wing, prone, surf feel |
| Air travel | Travel batteries under 160 Wh | 159 Wh batteries, under the limit |
| Indicative Budget | From around 3.€500 | Around 4.800 to 6.€000 |
Which Foil Assist is Best for Your Riding Style?
For wing foil, the Duotone's waist-worn battery frees up your board and doesn't interfere with wing handling, making take-off easier and assisting your pump between gusts. If you're into prone and surf foil, the Duotone delivers a surf-like feel thanks to the unencumbered board, though the Foil Drive is also a great option with its compact under-board battery. For downwind, we recommend the Foil Drive MAX or Fusion for its impressive range and motorized return to your starting point. And for flat water and pump foil, both systems let you train without the fatigue of repeated take-offs.
Range and Batteries
Your range depends on the battery capacity, your weight, the foil you're using, and how intensely you ride. In boost mode, where the motor is only used for take-off, your range increases significantly.
| Battery | Capacity | Indicative Range | Airplane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foil Drive Slim | Approx. 160 Wh | 25 to 40 min | Yes (under 160 Wh) |
| Foil Drive MAX Sport | approx. 320 Wh | 35 to 50 min | No |
| Foil Drive MAX Power | approx. 500 Wh | 45 to 70 min | No |
| Foil Drive Fusion | approx. 860 Wh | several hours | No |
| Duotone (two batteries) | 159 Wh each | 35 to 60 min | Yes (under 160 Wh) |
Traveling by Plane with a Foil Assist
Planning to travel with your Foil Assist? Air travel regulations limit lithium batteries to 160 Wh in the cabin. Duotone batteries (159 Wh) and the Travel versions of Foil Drive meet this limit and can be carried in the cabin, while larger batteries like the Fusion must remain on the ground. Always check your airline's conditions before departure to ensure a smooth journey.
Installation and Compatibility
Setup is quick and easy, typically taking just fifteen to thirty minutes. Foil Drive attaches to your existing mast using an adapter, without any permanent modification, and is compatible with most masts on the market, including Armstrong, F-ONE, Duotone, Slingshot, Axis, Sabfoil, and many others. Duotone systems work with their own electric mast, available in aluminum or carbon, and accept a wide range of Front Wings via a fuselage adapter. You can find all the necessary screw sets, masts, and adapters in our screw sets and tools section.
What Budget Should You Plan For?
For reference in 2026, excluding any sale prices. Prices vary by range and configuration, so please ask us for an updated quote tailored to your needs.
| Configuration | Who is it for? | Indicative Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Foil Drive Assist (entry-level) | Perfect for discovery, wing, and surf riding | From around 3.€500 |
| Foil Drive Assist MAX | Allround, our best seller | approx. 3.800 to 4.€000 |
| Foil Drive Fusion | Long range, eFoil mode | approx. 5.000 to 5.€200 |
| Duotone Foil Assist alu | Wing, prone, surf feel | approx. 4.€800 |
| Duotone Foil Assist carbon D/LAB | Performance | approx. 6.€000 |
| Additional battery | Extend your session | around 450 to 1.€600 |
| Compatible board | Depending on shape and construction | around 1.000 to 2.€000 |
The brands we offer
- Foil Drive (Australia): Featuring Slim, MAX, and Fusion ranges, with the battery conveniently located under the board, compatible with most masts.
- Duotone Electric (Germany): Utilizes an electric mast in aluminum or D/LAB carbon, with a waist-mounted battery, leaving your board free and unencumbered.
Where can you go Foil Assist around Pornichet?
The Bay of La Baule and the sheltered spots along the Atlantic Coast are perfect for experiencing electric assistance. You'll find flat water for learning and plenty of swell and wind to help you progress. Our Pornichet shop offers Foil Assist demonstrations and trials by appointment, so you can choose your system in real-world conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Foil Assist?
It's an electric motor that attaches to a foil to make take-off easier and extend sessions when there's no wind or waves. The two main brands are Foil Drive and Duotone Electric.
Foil Drive or Duotone Electric: which one should you choose?
Foil Drive places the battery under the board and adapts to most masts, making it ideal for downwind and flat water. Duotone carries the battery at the waist with a dedicated mast, offering a surf feel for wing and prone.
Which Foil Assist is best for beginners?
An entry-level system is all you need to start. It eliminates the challenge of take-off and significantly speeds up your progression. Our team will help you find the right system based on your riding style and weight.
What is the range of a Foil Assist?
From 25 to 60 minutes for small batteries, up to several hours with large capacity Foil Drive batteries. In boost mode, where the motor is only used for take-off, the range increases significantly.
Can you take a Foil Assist on a plane?
Yes, for batteries under 160 Wh (Duotone 159 Wh, Travel versions of Foil Drive), in the cabin only. Large batteries like the Fusion are not allowed. Always check with your airline.
Is the Foil Assist compatible with my foil?
In the vast majority of cases. Foil Drive adapts to most masts via an adapter; Duotone uses its dedicated mast and accepts many Front Wings via a fuselage adapter.
What's the budget for a Foil Assist?
Expect to pay around 3.€500 for an entry-level Foil Drive, and between 4.€800 and 6.€000 for a Duotone, depending on the mast. Additional batteries and the board are extra.
Where can you buy a Foil Assist in France?
At GlissEvolution in Pornichet: we're a major Foil Drive reseller in Europe and an official Duotone Electric distributor, offering on-site demos and after-sales support. Call us at 09 62 64 74 77.
Why choose GlissEvolution?
With twenty years of watersports experience since 2005, and fifteen years in electric mobility through Mobility Evolution, we're experts in lithium batteries, motorization, and electronic diagnostics. Our team uses Foil Assist daily and welcomes you to our Pornichet store for equipment trials by appointment. We offer a specialized workshop for after-sales support, new and inspected second-hand items, and free shipping on purchases over €100.
Find Us
GlissEvolution, 2c avenue du Gulfstream, 44380 Pornichet (Loire-Atlantique). Phone: 09 62 64 74 77. Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm. Foil Assist demonstrations by appointment.
