Choosing the Correct Motor LengthUpdated 3 days ago

Choosing Correct Motor Length 

Foil Drive Gen2 Systems and Integrated masts with Assist PLUS units require you to select a motor length when ordering. There are 5 different options that this article will outline, each with different pros and cons depending on how you wish to use your Foil Drive. Scroll towards the bottom of the article for more information on Integrated Masts.

The beauty of the Gen2 Foil Drive system is that the motor is interchangeable. This means you can have a shorter length for assisted foiling in the surf, and a second motor for flatwater Foil Driving! Not sure which length to choose? Check out the video below to help you decide what will work best for you!

What is a Gen2 Motor System and why are there different positions?

The motor mounting position is a personal rider preference and can differ between disciplines of foiling. Foil Drive motors should be considered like a quiver, allowing you to customise or fine tune your setup to how you want to ride.

What Motors are available?

- 70cm (27.5 inches)
- 60cm (23.5 inches)
- 25cm (10 inches)
- 20cm (8 inches)
- 15cm (6 inches)

Which motor should you chose?

It's important to note that there is some personal preference at play when it comes to motor height. We can, however, give you some information on what each height is ideal for, as well as some real life, rider examples! You'll notice some of the lengths paired together, this is because they have a similar use case, taken into account the different variables.

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70cm and 60cm
These two are the longest of our available motors and are designed for Flatwater Foil Driving where you place the motor down near the fuselage and intend to be powered constantly, similar to "e-foiling". The reason there are two lengths is to take into consideration different mast heights. If you have a 70cm mast, you'll need the 60cm cable, and if you have a longer mast (80cm+), you'll need the 70cm cable. 

Note: When selecting the extreme lengths (shortest and longest) it is important to allow 10-15cm of clearance for the propellers. For example, if mounting close to the fuse, the middle of the motor pod should sit 10cm above the fuselage. When mounting near your board, the middle of the motor pod should not sit any higher than 10cm away from your board.

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25cm
The 25cm cable is designed as an in-between, hybrid motor position. Perfect for learners who want to limit how high above the water they can fly, or those wanting to enjoy both Foil Driving on flatwater and catching waves. The motor remains low enough that it stays in the water on small swell, giving you the option to motor the whole time, or start to lift up and feel the power of the swell alone. Eventually, you may choose to shorten this length once you feel comfortable with the motor exiting the water. This length is also ideal those who like to turn their location into a skate park, enjoying flatwater Foil Driving, then peeling onto a boat wake or swell!

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20cm and 15cm

While these lengths seem similar, you'll certainly know the difference! Designed for assisted foiling where you only use the motor to get on foil, then want it to exit the water for drag free flying, these motor heights draw the most discussion.

First off, when would you want the motor to exit the water in this assisted foiling style? Foiling disciplines like surfing, down winding, wake foiling, pumping and winging. Let's look into each discipline and compare the 20cm and 15cm.

The 20cm motor is a good allrounder. It provides the best of both worlds when it comes to powered and non-powered operation. If you're a more advanced foiler OR you just want to use your system in assist mode (only using it to get on foil) and you desire maximum drag-free foiling, the 15cm is the best choice. However, it does make hybrid foiling in choppy water more difficult as the distance from the board to the water is a lot closer, BUT - you can still do it. Using a three-blade propeller setup definitely helps maintain thrust and grip on the water in the 15cm motor position.

A. Surf - 15, 20 ,25

B. Downwind -15, 20
C. Wake - 20, 25
D. Flatwater Pumping - 20
E. Winging (AKA Wind Ding or Wind Winging) - 15, 20 

Other Considerations

Three Blade vs Two Blade Propellers
To learn more about the two and three blade propeller systems click here.

Integrated Masts 

Not sure if you want an integrated motor? Click here to find out the benefits of integrated masts.

FAQ
If I have an existing Gen1 Motor or Integrated Mast, can it be converted?
Please check out this video from Paul on Gen1 to Gen2: Click here.

Do I need to tape the whole cable to the mast?
Click here to learn how to secure the motor cable to your mast to optimise drag free foiling!

Choosing Integrated Mast Motor Length

Before ordering a Project Cedrus Integrated Mast, there are a few things you need to measure, and decide upon, in order to complete your purchase. The most important is your motor height and cable length. 

To get started, please watch this video below.

Important Note: Once you choose your motor position, it cannot be moved! 

Your total cable length from motor to Assist PLUS box will be 200cm. This is the maximum cable length that can be used with the Assist PLUS system. 

What does this mean?

Depending on the motor position you choose, this will affect the amount of excess cable you will have to play with when mounting your electronics box on your board. This is very important to consider, if you want to forward mount your electronics box on the front of your board.  

Our to scale print out template is available here, print it or use the dimensions in order to accurately measure your cable length.

You will also need:

a. Your intended board. If you have multiple boards, use the largest.

b. A rope or other flexible chord around 2 metres (80 inches) long

Instructions:

1. Use the template to decide where you’d like your box to sit and stick the template in place, ensuring the selected area is flat. Typically, this is just behind the leg rope pin, as close to the rear of the board as possible, or to the front of deck grip on the nose of the board. 

2. Use string/rope, start your measurement at the BLUE DOT on the template. Follow the contour of your board to the rear, wrap around the tail, then track back along the bottom side of the board to the trailing edge at the base of the mast. Remember to trace the rope as close to the board and mast as possible so the cable sits neatly in the tracks when installed. 

3. If you have cut a 2-metre piece of rope (or similar), you can get a visual on how much length you have left as to where on the mast your motor can be installed.  

Note: Any excess cable will be coiled on top of the board at the electronics box end with the provided re-usable cable tie.

Project Cedrus Adaptors
We offer the more popular Project Cedrus adaptors. Yours not listed on our website? You can order adaptors direct from Project Cedrus here. 

Note: If the adaptor you want is out of stock, or not available, you can select "None" and contact Project Cedrus directly.

Axis Adaptor

Don't forget to add a doodad to your order if you don't already have one! 

Integrated Mast Length - Foil Drive x Project Cedrus & Axis 
We have narrowed our range to include the Foil Drive x Project Cedrus and Axis Aluminium Mast to 80cm length only. 

To learn more, check out the other articles on or Help Centre which can be found under the 'Support' tab on the website.

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected]. 

Happy Foil Driving!