Is the Waydoo Evo eFoil Worth the Upgrade? Complete Review and Breakdown
Jake from MACkite provides an in-depth review of the Waydoo Evo eFoil, highlighting its new features, options, and overall performance compared to the previous Flyer One Plus model. Having carried Waydoo products for two years, MACkite is excited about the advancements in the Evo eFoil.
New Features and Configurations
The Waydoo Evo comes in multiple configurations, including different board sizes, battery options, and motor types:
- Board Sizes: The Evo currently offers a 90L board but will introduce a smaller 75L carbon board and a larger 130L board for different rider preferences. The 75L is ideal for experienced riders seeking a higher performance board, while the 130L is perfect for larger riders who want an easy-to-cruise board.
- Battery Options: The Evo offers a larger battery option, providing a runtime increase of 50-75% compared to the Flyer One Plus. The standard battery lasts about 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on various factors like rider weight and speed. The longer-lasting battery is estimated to provide around 110 minutes of use, with actual experience showing up to 1.5 hours of comfortable riding.
- Motor Types: Riders can choose between a standard motor and a performance motor. The performance motor offers more power, noticeable even at the mid-speed setting (around speed 7 out of 20-24).
Additional Features
- Sensor Technology: The Evo includes a sensor that measures the rider’s position relative to the water, helping to maintain stability and prevent the board from pitching up. This feature is particularly beneficial for beginners, making the eFoil more accessible.
- Foam Board Construction: The Waydoo Evo continues to use foam for the board material, which Jake praises as "brilliant." While carbon boards look sleek, they can be expensive and prone to scratches. The foam boards are more durable and forgiving on impact, maintaining a like-new appearance even after extensive use.
- Transport and Storage: Waydoo introduced a wheel accessory this year, allowing riders to attach wheels to the board for easy transport. This novel system lets users assemble the board at their vehicle and roll it to the water.
Price and Accessories
The Waydoo Evo starts at $6,399 for the 90L board with the larger battery and performance motor. There is a potential to customize the setup with various accessories, such as:
- Upgrading to a carbon board setup.
- Adding or switching between different mast sizes (27-inch, 31-inch carbon, and 35-inch).
- Choosing either a fast charger (additional cost) or the standard slower charger (4-hour charge time).
Despite these options, some accessories are now sold separately to keep the base cost competitive. These include a carrying case and board bag, allowing buyers to decide which extras they need.
Ride Quality and Performance
- Improvements: Jake notes that the Evo provides a more agile and fun experience, particularly due to the smaller board size (90L). This board is trickier to get started on but offers a more enjoyable ride once in motion.
- Power and Speed: The Evo's performance motor delivers noticeable torque, making speed adjustments more dynamic. Riders must adapt to these power changes, especially when accelerating quickly.
- User-Friendly Features: The sensor technology helps newer riders pick up the sport quickly, minimizing instances where the board shoots out from under them, a common issue with previous models.
Downsides
- Torque Sensitivity: The increased torque in the performance motor means riders need to shift their body position when adjusting speeds, which can feel pushy between settings.
- Stability: The 90L board is less stable and slightly harder to get started on compared to the 110L board of the Flyer One Plus. While this leads to a better riding experience for skilled users, beginners might find it challenging initially.
- Update Process: Updating the board's software is more involved and takes longer than with the Flyer One Plus, although MACkite ensures all boards purchased through them are automatically updated.
Overall Verdict
That the Waydoo Evo eFoil is a significant step up from the Flyer One Plus, offering more options, power, and battery life while maintaining a compelling price point. Starting at $6,399, it presents great value compared to its competitors, with the flexibility to customize up to around $8,000 for the top-tier carbon setup. The Evo is regarded as the best product in its category, catering to different riding preferences and budgets.
