Choosing the Correct V2 Motor Cable LengthUpdated 2 hours ago
The Foil Drive V2 Motor is available with multiple cable lengths, allowing you to customise the motor position to suit your board, foil setup and riding style.
The motor position is an important part of how your Foil Drive feels and performs. Different positions are better suited to different foiling disciplines, from powered flatwater riding to assisted surfing and downwind foiling.
Think of your motor lengths as a quiver — you can use different motor positions for different types of riding.
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Available V2 Motor Cable Lengths
The V2 Motor is available in seven cable lengths:
| Cable Length | Approx. Length | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 12 cm | 4.7 in | Advanced assisted foiling, minimum drag |
| 15 cm | 6 in | Assisted foiling, surfing, winging, downwind |
| 20 cm | 7.9 in | Versatile assisted foiling, wake, downwind |
| 25 cm | 9.8 in | Hybrid riding, learning, surf + powered riding |
| 30 cm | 11.8 in | Hybrid riding, flatwater + wake/swell |
| 60 cm | 23.6 in | Powered flatwater / e-foiling style |
| 70 cm | 27.5 in | Powered flatwater / longer masts |
Which length should I choose?
There is some personal preference when choosing motor height, but the following guide will help you find the best starting point.
60 cm & 70 cm — Powered Flatwater Riding
Best for: Flatwater Foil Driving and e-foiling-style riding
These are the longest motor positions and are designed for riders who want the motor to remain in the water continuously.
The motor is positioned down near the fuselage, allowing you to remain powered throughout the ride.
The choice between 60 cm and 70 cm depends primarily on your mast length:
- 70 cm mast → 60 cm motor cable
- 80 cm+ mast → 70 cm motor cable
Important clearance requirement
When using the extreme motor positions, make sure there is sufficient clearance around the propeller.
Allow approximately 10–15 cm of clearance.
For example:
- When mounting the motor close to the fuselage, the centre of the motor pod should sit approximately 10 cm above the fuselage.
- When mounting the motor close to the board, the centre of the motor pod should be no more than approximately 10 cm below the board.
This clearance is important to prevent the propeller from contacting the board, fuselage or other components.
25 cm & 30 cm — Hybrid / Transitional Riding
Best for: Learning, hybrid riding, flatwater + waves/wake
The 25 cm and 30 cm positions provide a middle ground between powered riding and assisted foiling.
These lengths are particularly useful for riders who want to:
- Learn to foil with the motor lower in the water
- Limit how high above the water they can initially fly
- Ride powered on flatwater
- Catch small waves or boat wakes
- Transition between powered and unpowered foiling
With the motor positioned lower, it remains in the water during smaller amounts of lift.
This allows you to continue using motor power while learning, or progressively reduce throttle and begin experiencing the power of the wave or wake.
As your confidence and skills improve, you may choose to move to a shorter motor position so the motor exits the water more easily for lower drag and fully unpowered foiling.
Why choose 30 cm?
The 30 cm option provides another useful middle ground for riders who want a little more motor depth while still having a relatively versatile setup.
It is particularly suited to riders who enjoy changing between:
Flatwater → Wake → Small swell
12 cm, 15 cm & 20 cm — Assisted Foiling
Best for: Surfing, downwind, wake, pumping and winging
These shorter motor positions are designed for assisted foiling.
The goal is simple:
Use the motor to get on foil → allow the motor to exit the water → enjoy low-drag, unpowered foiling.
Once you are flying, the motor can leave the water, allowing you to experience the natural glide of your foil without the drag of a submerged propeller.
These positions are particularly suited to:
- Surf foiling
- Downwind foiling
- Wake foiling
- Pumping
- Winging
Although 12 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm may appear relatively close together, you will notice a difference on the water.
20 cm — The All-Rounder
The 20 cm motor is the most versatile option within the short motor range.
It provides a good balance between:
- Powered riding
- Assisted take-offs
- Motor clearance
- Wave and swell riding
- Drag-free foiling
The 20 cm position is a great starting point if you want to use your Foil Drive across multiple disciplines.
Recommended for:
- Downwind
- Wake
- Flatwater pumping
- Surf
- Winging
It is also a good choice if you are not yet sure how you will use your Foil Drive.
15 cm — Performance Assisted Foiling
The 15 cm motor moves the propeller closer to the board, making it easier for the motor to exit the water once you are flying.
This makes it particularly well suited to riders prioritising low drag and responsive, unpowered foiling.
Recommended for:
- Surf
- Downwind
- Winging
- Advanced assisted foiling
The shorter motor position does make powered riding in choppy water more challenging, because the motor can exit the water sooner.
A three-blade propeller can help maintain thrust and grip when using the 12 cm or 15 cm motor position.
Learn more about the Three-Blade Propeller System
12 cm — Minimum Drag
The 12 cm motor is the shortest available V2 Motor position.
It is designed for riders who prioritise maximum freedom, responsiveness and minimal drag once on foil.
The motor exits the water very quickly as the board lifts, making this position particularly suited to experienced riders who primarily use Foil Drive for assisted take-offs.
Recommended for:
- Surf
- Advanced downwind foiling
- Advanced assisted foiling
- Riders prioritising minimal drag
The trade-off is that the motor is closer to the board, making it more difficult to keep the propeller in the water when riding in chop or using the motor continuously.
A three-blade propeller can help maintain thrust and grip in the shorter 12 cm and 15 cm positions.
Recommended Cable Length by Discipline
Use the following as a starting point:
| Discipline | Recommended Cable Lengths |
|---|---|
| Surf | 12 / 15 / 20 / 25 cm |
| Downwind | 15 / 20 cm |
| Wake | 20 / 25 cm |
| Flatwater Pumping | 20 cm |
| Winging | 15 / 20 cm |
| Flatwater Foil Driving | 60 / 70 cm |
| Learning / Hybrid | 25 / 30 cm |
These are recommendations rather than strict rules. Your ideal motor position will depend on your board, foil, mast length, rider weight, water conditions and personal preference.
Which Motor Length Is Right for Me?
I want to ride powered on flatwater
Choose 60 cm or 70 cm, depending on your mast length.
I'm learning to foil
Choose 25 cm or 30 cm.
The lower motor position helps keep the propeller in the water while you learn to control your height.
I want to surf and use the motor only to get on foil
Choose 12 cm, 15 cm or 20 cm.
Choose a shorter length as you become more confident and want the motor to exit the water earlier.
I want one motor position that can do a bit of everything
Choose 20 cm.
It offers a strong balance between powered and assisted riding.
I mainly downwind foil
Choose 15 cm or 20 cm.
I mainly wing foil
Choose 15 cm or 20 cm.
I want to ride boat wakes
Choose 20 cm or 25 cm.
I want the lowest possible drag once I'm flying
Choose 12 cm or 15 cm.
Motor Position Is Part of Your Foil Drive Quiver
There isn't one "correct" motor height for every rider.
As your foiling progresses, your preferred motor position may change.
Many riders start with a longer motor position that keeps the propeller in the water more easily. As their skills develop, they can move to a shorter motor position and rely on the motor only for the initial take-off.
This allows the same Foil Drive system to evolve from:
Learning → Assisted Foiling → Performance Foiling
The V2 Motor's interchangeable cable system makes it easy to adapt your setup as your riding develops.
Important: Check Propeller Clearance
Regardless of the cable length you choose, always ensure the motor and propeller have sufficient clearance from the board, fuselage and other components.
When using the shortest or longest motor positions, allow approximately 10–15 cm of clearance.
Never operate the motor if the propeller can contact the board, fuselage or another component.