Like most activities that require a delicate balancing act, e-foiling has a learning curve. The idea behind the Propel Foil’s 5-in-1 concept is to make the watersport more accessible.
Propel founder Jason Toth is a former professional snowboarder-turned-foiling enthusiast, so he’s seen his share of beginner hurdles.
The Propel’s five modes include an e-foil, a SUP variant with handlebars, and the Jet Kart, which seats riders like a cross between a mini-boat and a jetski.
Riders can switch between riding styles without the need for tools. That makes it easy to hand off the Propel to the next rider who may have a different comfort level with floating above water. It should also come in handy for family sharing or the inevitable “Can I try that?” first-timer.
“With Propel, we set out to create something new, to remove the fear and complexity from foiling. We wanted to create something that anyone could experience, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned rider,” Toth said in a press release. “Propel isn’t just a new board. It’s a new way for people to connect with the water, adventure, and each other.”
Propel’s 5 Modes
The Propel’s modular design lets riders switch between five different watercraft setups without tools. Those modes include:
- E-Foil: The classic, free-flowing electric foil experience that tops out near 21 mph. This is a quiet and agile way for advanced riders to carve and explore.
- Scooter e-Foil: This adds handlebars to the e-Foil ride for more balance and lift-off. This is like adding training wheels for first-time riders who aren’t used to being lifted over water.
- E-Scooter: Slow things down with the foil off and ride with handlebars for extra stability. Designed for beginners learning balance, control, and cruising. It uses the electric ride for a top speed of just north of 12 mph.
- E-SUP: A relaxed, stand-up electric paddleboard mode without the foil. The e-SUP takes a casual approach to lake days, fitness exploration, and smooth flatwater adventures.
- JetKart: Like riding a jet-ski or go-kart, this seated mode keeps the center of gravity low and offers a more intuitive, yet fast experience. Accessible for all ages and different mobility levels.
Propel e-Foil: The Build
The Propel Foil has an enclosed jet drive, IP68 waterproofing, and built-in features like auto shutoff and thermal protection. Its enclosed ducted Kort nozzle jet drive (~10kW peak) produces a strong thrust. Ducted propellers are often used on watercraft to provide stability at lower speeds.
Every product that runs on electricity is as good as its battery. The Propel Foil has battery life for up to 3 hours of ride time (50.4V 50Ah Smart Lithium-Ion battery) with a fast-charging time of roughly 2 hours.
It uses an inflatable V-Hull design in a travel-ready build. The craft and its attachments weigh less than 90 pounds and move in two modular wheeled bags. The Propel Foil has a foam chassis with aluminum spaceframe reinforcement, an EVA grip deck, and saltwater-resistant construction that aims for all-season reliability.
Propel Crowdfunding
The Propel Foil has no price tag yet and is only available through an Indiegogo campaign. The crowdfunding site offers incentives and savings to help projects go into production. Currently, the Propel Indiegogo campaign has three different funding opportunities.
Before turning his attention to foiling, Propel’s founder rode for Burton, Volcom, and Oakley. Toth teamed with GP87 Inc. and Blue Sea Watersports for engineering help to turn the 5-in-1 concept into a production-ready watercraft.
From a crowdfunding perspective, these manufacturing partnerships offer a path to scalable production. The Propel Foil is real-world tested with multiple certifications currently in the works. If brought to fruition, it looks like another fun way to enjoy a summer on the water.
