What to clean, when to clean it and why it matters

Salt water is one of the harshest environments for electronics and marine equipment. Regular cleaning and maintenance after every session helps prevent corrosion, salt buildup, sand damage and premature wear.

A few minutes of care after every session can significantly extend the life and reliability of your Foil Drive system.

Important: Keep all components out of the sand whenever possible. Never flip your board upside down with the electronics box open, as sand can enter the system and cause damage to motors, bearings and seals.

Follow the steps below after every session, once you get home, and at least once a week.

After Every Session

1. Rinse all of your gear with fresh water as soon as possible.

2. Remove your battery and place it in the Lipo bag for the drive home.

Once You're Home

A more thorough clean should be completed once you return home.

Flush the Motor

Thoroughly rinse the stator and rotor to ensure all salt water is removed.

For more information see: Motor Cleaning & Maintenance Guide

Clean the Controller

This helps dissolve and remove salt water that may otherwise dry and leave salt crystals around the buttons, triggers and other areas of the controller.

For more information, see our Controller Cleaning Guide

Inspect the System

While cleaning your Foil Drive, inspect the following components for signs of damage or wear:

• Power cable
• Cable gland
• Electronics box
• Latches
• Box seal
• O-rings
• Motor plug
• Motor and bearings
• Propeller
• Propeller hub
• Controller 

Look for cuts, cracks, corrosion, loose components, damaged seals or excessive wear.

Check the Battery and Electronics Compartment

Before storing your system, ensure the:

• Battery is dry
• Electronics compartment is dry
• Power connector is clean and dry
• Battery connection is free from sand and debris

For more information, see: Battery Care & Best Practices

Weekly Maintenance — Minimum

In addition to the cleaning performed after every session, we recommend a more thorough clean at least once a week.

Remove All Components

Disassemble your system and remove:

• Electronics box from your board
• Mast from your electronics box
• Motor
• Pod
• Puck
• Propeller hub
• Propeller
• Other removable components

Thoroughly rinse everything with warm, fresh water.

This helps remove stubborn salt and debris that may not be removed during your regular post-session rinse.

Optional: Lightly apply Tef-Gel to your bolts to protect against corrosion.

Inspect Your Motor and Propellers

Check that:

• The motor bearings rotate smoothly.
• The propellers is free from damage.
• The propeller hub has no large chips or cracks.
• There is no excessive corrosion on the rotor and stator.
• There is no movement of the shaft on the rotor. 

If you find damaged or worn components, stop using the system until the affected parts have been replaced.

If You Find Damage or Wear

If your inspection identifies damaged, worn or corroded components, do not ignore the issue.

Use our maintenance and repair guides to determine the appropriate next step.

Full Foil Drive Motor Refurbishment

If you're experiencing an issue with your electronics box:

Electronics Box Troubleshooting & Repair

Replacement parts can be purchased directly from the Foil Drive website, or from your local dealer.

Quick Post-Session Checklist

After every session

☐ Rinse the system with fresh water
☐ Remove and rinse the Rotor and Stator
☐ Check the electronics box for moisture
☐ Clean the controller
☐ Inspect cables, seals, latches and connections
☐ Ensure the battery and connectors are dry and free from sand
☐ Store the system correctly

At least once a week

☐ Fully disassemble removable components
☐ Thoroughly rinse everything with warm, fresh water
☐ Inspect bearings
☐ Inspect propeller and hub for damage
☐ Check seals and connections

Foil Drive systems are designed for the marine environment, but regular maintenance is essential. Taking the time to rinse, inspect and correctly store your equipment after each session will help keep your system reliable and performing at its best.