Finding the Right Throttle & Cruise SpeedUpdated an hour ago
When learning to Foil Drive, one of the most important skills is learning to find the right throttle setting.
It is tempting to hold more throttle when you're getting started, but more throttle doesn't always mean more useful power. Too much throttle can make the board difficult to control, cause the propeller to surge in and out of the water, waste battery power and make your ride much less efficient.
The key is to find a smooth, comfortable cruising speed where the board, foil and propeller are working together.
For instructional video, see: How to Avoid the Bucking Bronco
Finding Your Cruise
Once you're up and riding, gradually reduce the throttle until you find a comfortable cruising speed.
At the right throttle setting:
- The board feels stable and predictable.
- The foil and propeller work together smoothly.
- You aren't constantly accelerating.
- The motor isn't aggressively surging.
- You can comfortably maintain your speed without holding excessive throttle.
Once you're up and riding, back the throttle off and settle into a comfortable cruise.
This will make the Foil Drive much easier to manage while you're learning.
Avoid the "Bronco"
A common mistake when learning is holding too much throttle.
When excessive throttle is applied, the propeller can lift out of the water and spin up rapidly. When it re-enters the water, it creates a sudden surge of thrust.
This can cause the board to accelerate unexpectedly and make it difficult to maintain your balance.
If the board starts bucking, surging or feeling difficult to control, you're likely using too much throttle.
What to do
Back the throttle off.
Reduce the power until the board settles into a smooth and predictable rhythm.
If you hear an aggressive thrashing or churning sound, this is another indication that you're using too much throttle and the propeller is repeatedly coming in and out of the water.
You're using battery power to churn the water without getting much useful thrust in return.
What Should It Sound Like?
A small amount of propeller noise or a soft surging sound can be normal when the propeller occasionally moves in and out of the water.
However, an aggressive, loud or continuous thrashing sound usually means you're running too much throttle.
If this happens:
- Reduce the throttle.
- Allow the board to settle.
- Find a smooth cruising speed.
- Maintain that speed rather than continuously accelerating.
A quieter, smoother motor sound generally means you're operating more efficiently.
Want More Speed?
If you want to build more speed, don't simply keep increasing the throttle while allowing the propeller to repeatedly come out of the water.
Instead, keep the propeller submerged while building speed.
Gradually increase the throttle while maintaining a stable board position and keeping the propeller in the water. Once you've built enough speed, you can transition onto the foil and continue riding smoothly.
The goal is controlled acceleration rather than constantly running maximum throttle.
Be Considerate of Other Water Users
A Foil Drive can be surprisingly powerful and noisy when operated at high throttle.
If you're riding around other people, try to avoid unnecessarily running the motor at high power when you're not gaining useful speed.
Find your relaxing cruise speed and enjoy the ride.
You'll use your battery more efficiently, have better control and create less unnecessary noise for everyone else in the water.
The Key Takeaway
More throttle isn't always better.
When you're learning:
- Start with lower power.
- Get up and riding.
- Back the throttle off.
- Find a comfortable cruising speed.
- Avoid aggressive propeller noise and surging.
- Keep the propeller submerged when building speed.
- Gradually increase power as your confidence and control improve.
The best throttle setting is the one that gives you smooth, predictable and controlled thrust.