Duotone Foil Assist 2026: the electric motor that changes the rules of foiling

Some products solve a problem and some products open a new door. The Duotone Foil Assist is one of the latter. It's not an efoil — we're not talking about a motorised toy that takes you for a ride on the water. It's an electric assist system integrated into the foil mast that helps you take off, connect waves and extend your time on the water in ways that, until recently, were simply impossible. If you've ever wanted to prone foil, go downwinding or simply learn to fly without depending on perfect conditions, this is for you.

What has really changed in the Foil Assist 2026

The heart of the system is the eMast — an 84 cm aluminium mast (in the AL version) with an integrated motor positioned strategically 17 cm below the top plate. This position isn't random: by placing the motor pod slightly behind the leading edge and so close to the board, Duotone minimises drag even when the foil touches the water during low flight or a touchdown. The mast has a profile of just 18 mm at its thinnest point, with a 120 mm chord. It's stiff, direct and weighs 3.45 kg — a weight that feels surprisingly modest when you consider what it has inside.

The propeller has two folding blades. When the motor isn't active, the blades fold back automatically against the mast, eliminating virtually all drag. This is key for surf foiling: you need the system to disappear when you're on the wave and to appear when you need it to get back to the line-up or connect with the next set. Maximum thrust is 33 kg — enough to lift a rider of any weight onto the foil on flat water and to keep speed in small-swell conditions. An integrated gear system deploys the propeller the instant you activate the motor, with no noticeable delay.

The batteries are housed in a watertight box mounted on the eHarness — a hip harness weighing about 3.76 kg with the batteries fitted. It floats and comes off easily, which means you can get in the water, do your session and take the battery off without any hassle. Battery life varies between 30 and 60 minutes depending on your level, the conditions and how much you use the motor. A full charge takes less than an hour. Control is via a smartwatch-style eRemote with a finger ring: double click to activate, press and hold to accelerate or slow down. Your hands stay completely free to paddle, duck dive or handle a wing.

Duotone offers three configurations: the Foil Cruise Set AL, designed for beginners and flat-water riding with a shorter 80 cm mast; the Foil Assist Set AL, the standard model for prone foiling and downwind; and the Foil Assist Set D/LAB, the premium version with a 3BS connection compatible with Duotone and Armstrong foils. The system is compatible with any foil board with standard US tracks, and adapters are available for other foil brands.

Who is the Duotone Foil Assist for?

Look, if you came into the shop and asked me who the Foil Assist is for, I'd put it like this: it's for three very different types of rider, and that's what makes it so interesting. First, the person who wants to learn to foil and has no idea where to start. With the Cruise Set, you can be flying within hours — not weeks, not months. The motor gives you the initial push you need to get up and the stability to stay up while your body learns to balance. It's like having an invisible instructor holding you up from below.

Second, the prone foil or downwind rider who wants to extend their sessions. Imagine being able to get back to the peak without paddling, connect bumps that are too far away to reach by paddling, or go foiling on days when you'd normally stay at home because there isn't enough swell. The Foil Assist doesn't replace the experience of surfing a wave — it complements it, removing the frustrating parts and leaving you more time for the fun part.

And third, the rider who already wing foils and wants to use the Assist as help on light-wind days or in sessions where the wind isn't steady. With your hands free thanks to the smartwatch control, you can handle the wing completely normally while the motor gives you that extra when you need it. Duotone is a brand that has been investing in foiling R&D for years and it shows in the finish: every component of the system — from the watertightness of the harness to the motor's response — reflects a level of engineering you won't find in generic products.

At PopKite

The first thing we do when someone asks us about the Foil Assist is understand what they really want to do on the water. Someone who has never foiled and wants to start from scratch is not the same as an experienced prone rider looking to maximise their flying time. We talk about your level, your weight, which water sports you do and what conditions you usually find when you go out. With that information, we steer you towards the set that will really work for you — because choosing between the Cruise, the AL and the D/LAB makes a huge difference to the experience.

At PopKite we have test gear available so you can try the Foil Assist on the water before deciding. Not a demonstration on land, not a video — you get on the board, put on the harness and fly. Because there are sensations that can't be put into words: the first time you feel the motor gently lift you over the water and suddenly you're flying in silence, that's something you can only understand by experiencing it. And that's exactly the experience we want you to have before making a decision.

If you still have doubts or want to better understand the differences between the various sets, we're here to help. Our team knows the product in depth — we've tested it, taken it apart and put it back together. We can advise you on compatibility with your current foil, which accessories are worth adding and how to integrate the Assist into your quiver without hassle. Because in the end, the best investment is the one that gets you on the water more and helps you enjoy every session more.

Want to try the Duotone Foil Assist before deciding? Contact us and we'll arrange a no-obligation test session. Or if you'd rather explore first, take a look at our wingfoil packs and foiling equipment.

Source: Duotone Foiling Newsletter