What Fliteboard should I buy? – eFoil board and hydrofoil wing buyers guide.

This comprehensive eFoil buyer’s guide is designed to provide you with a thorough understanding of the Fliteboard range, which encompasses eFoil boards, wings, and other components. We’ll guide you toward the most suitable products based on your current experience level and your aspirations in the world of eFoiling. 

The Flite range is expansive and has something to offer everyone at every level, whether you’re entirely new or a hydrofoil all-star looking to ride waves, freestyle, or even race. 

This blog will focus on the eFoil board and the wings. We’ll touch on other components like the eFoil system and propeller options. We have another article on choosing the propulsion system, the eFoil unit, the eFoil Flitecell batteries, and more for brevity. You can find those in our blog.

Table of contents:

1. Rank beginner – You have no experience with watersports or hydrofoiling. 
2. Novice – You have some watersports or board experience but none with a foil.
3. Intermediate – You have some hydrofoiling experience.
4. Advanced – You have extensive foil experience with a small wingboard or surfing.

Rank beginner 

If you’re a rank beginner, this is where your exciting eFoiling journey begins. Whether you have no water sports experience, no experience with boards of any kind, or even some experience with hydrofoils, these boards are designed to make the learning process fast, fun, and most importantly, safe. Remember, the wings are modular, so you can always add new wings or an upgrade board later as you progress in your eFoiling skills. 

It’s important to note that these boards are not just for beginners. They are high volume for ease of use, but many people stick with these boards for their entire foil journey. 

Recommended Flite eFoil boards – Rank Beginner

These are the best eFoil boards for beginners. Some will be a great fit for years, depending on what you want from your ride. 

• Flitescooter 

• Flite AIR 

• Fliteboard 

Flitescooter

 237L, 7’ x 35’’

The Flitescooter is going to be the easiest of the three. It’s the largest at 237 liters and has handlebars that allow anyone to get up and ride in minutes. The handlebars are removable, so you can use them to advance into a traditional eFoil. 

The largest board in the range with the smallest learning curve. Perfect for the family or long-distance adventures. A board this size will float most people when standing without being in motion. It comes with the largest wing set and the Flite Jet propulsion system. Most can expect to be riding in a matter of minutes with few falls. The handlebars also help direct the board and foils away on a fall. 

Choose this if you want the easiest eFoil to learn with. 

Flite AIR 

110L 5’8’’ x 27.5’’

The Flite AIR will be a fantastic choice for new riders, and the price is phenomenal. 110 liters is a forgiving size and an easy starting point for most people. The board has a rigid foam core and a durable yet soft inflatable outer layer. Don’t let the word inflatable worry you. This board feels and performs amazingly on the water! 

The rigid core gives the rider a solid connection and control over the eFoil. The inflatable deck will keep your house, car, and boat safe from damage while transporting. It’s also a massive benefit for falls as it’s a soft surface to land on. 

Fliteboard 

100L 5’8’’ x 28’’

Setting the industry standard, these are what we call 90% boards. They are a perfect fit for 90% of eFoilers indefinitely. They come in three different constructions to meet different needs. The Carbon boards are stiff, responsive, and durable. Fiberglass is the industry standard for board construction and a great choice if you don’t require the added response or the prestige of carbon. 

The soft top boards are constructed from fiberglass but have an EVA foam top layer for added durability, grip, and comfort while riding. We’re huge fans of this model. A foam layer to protect your board and body is a huge benefit. 

Recommended wings – Rank beginner

The Flite Cruiser wing series is versatile, forgiving, and the best place to start. This modular wing system allows you to opt for more than one set of wings and build a quiver for you and your family. 

You have the choice of the Cruiser range, the Cruiser Jet Range, and the Cruiser range with the conical interface. These different options are specifically paired with your other components. For example, the Cruiser jet range will pair best with the Flite Jet Propulsion system, and the conical wings will be paired with the performance eFoil units. The conical shape provides a more aerodynamic flow and less drag.

• Cruiser 1800 + 500

• Cruiser Jet 1500 + 300

• Cruiser 1100 + 290 

If you’re a beginner, there are a few appropriate wing options. The best strategy is to get something large and easy to learn and pick up an extra set to grow into. 

Cruiser 1800 + 500 or the Cruiser Jet 1500 + 300

If you have never used a foil, the Cruiser 1800 + 500 wing combo will be the easiest and most stable. It has a low takeoff speed and is the default option for the Flitescooter. This combo is designed to provide a stable and easy learning experience for beginners.

If you opt for a more well-rounded eFoil like the Flite Air and Air Pro or the Fliteboard or PRO, you can still use the Cruiser 1800 + 500 wing combo. We recommend getting two wing sets: one for learning and one to grow into. This is a smart strategy, as you will have the most success on the 1800, and when you’re ready to advance, you can use a faster, more maneuverable wing set. This adaptability of the Fliteboard system ensures that your investment is future-proof and can grow with your eFoiling skills. 

The 1800 is a good investment for sharing with friends or family who want to learn. The Cruiser Jet 1500 + 300 is a fantastic starter wing combo. Like the 1800, it will have a slow, easy takeoff and medium cruising speeds. You can expect a touch more maneuverability and speed compared to the 1800. Both will be easy to learn with. 

Cruiser 1100 + 290 

The Cruiser 1100 + 290 is a logical next step and a good pairing with the 1800 or 1500 set. In a perfect world, you would get both sets, but if you’re on a budget, it is possible to learn on the 1100, but there will be a bigger learning curve. The Cruiser 1100 + 290 is the most versatile combo in the range and what we call a 90% design, meaning it will meet the needs of 90% of riders indefinitely. This combo offers a balance between stability and maneuverability, making it suitable for a wide range of riders. 

Novice – You have some watersports or board experience but none with a foil.

Consider these options if you have some experience on a board or with watersports but have yet to use a hydrofoil. All our beginner recommendations still stand here, but you could consider adding an upgrade board. 

Recommended Flite eFoil boards – Novice

• Flite AIR 

• Fliteboard 

• AIR PRO 

Flite AIR PRO 

80L 5’ 2’’ x 25.5’’  

The AIR PRO is twenty liters less than the Fliteboard or the Flite AIR and slightly shorter and narrower. It’s 13 liters more than the Fliteboard PRO, making it an exciting step up but not too advanced. There are better sizes than an 80-liter board to learn with, but it is possible for lighter riders under 140 lbs. You would have very few issues, but the learning curve would increase incrementally for every additional 10 pounds. If you’re up for a small challenge, you can start here. 

The AIR PRO would be a great add-on or upgrade board. For example, learn with a Fliteboard AIR or Fliteboard with more volume. You could use the AIR PRO as a second “quiver board” with the same eFoil system and wings. This board is more maneuverable, playful, and exciting to ride! 

Wing Recommendations – Novice

We still recommend the same beginner wings, but you could pair an exciting upgrade wing to your kit. 

• Cruiser 1800 + 500

• Cruiser Jet 1500 + 300

• Cruiser 1100 + 290 

Upgrade wings – Novice.

• Flow S 1300 + 245 

• Flow S 1100 + 245

• Flyer 800 + 290 

What can I expect from Fliteboard Flow and Flyer Wings?

We recommend learning with the Cruiser wings and adding an upgraded Flow wing to play with as you improve. The Flow S range is aimed at wave performance. These will be an excellent choice if you want to try eFoil surfing in small rolling waves that never break or catch boat wakes. There are two versions, the Flow and the Flow S range. The S range is more user-friendly and has a lower aspect ratio than the Flow wings. They will perform at lower speeds with a better roll but have less glide. 

The larger Flow S 1300 + 245 has an early takeoff and a fantastic glide.  The Flow S 1100 + 245 is large enough for wave glides but small enough for sharp, fast turns and performance riding. 

Speed wings

The Flyer 800 is made for speed and response. At an intermediate level, this upgrade wing will be lively and offer incredible turns paired with the Fliteboard PRO or AIR PRO.

Intermediate – You have some hydrofoiling experience

If you have foil experience, consider some different options. Consider the size of the boards and hydrofoils you are currently using.  For example, if you’re a kite surfer who can foil, you can start with a smaller, more intermediate board and wing set. Perhaps something has a higher aspect, like the Flow series. 

Our original strategy of choosing a large beginner board and pairing it with a smaller upgrade board and wing set is a viable strategy for fun. You’ll have options to entertain or a great board to cruise. 

Recommended Flite eFoil boards – Intermediate

• Fliteboard 

• AIR PRO 

• FLITEBOARD PRO 

Fliteboard PRO

67 liters, 5 feet long and 24.5 wide.

This eFoil board is best for intermediate to advanced riders. That’s not to say it wouldn’t be a good upgrade board if bought with one of our beginner recommendations. Pair this with your beginner board and the upgraded wings with the same eFoil system. 

Recommended wings – Intermediate 

• Cruiser Jet 1500 + 300

• Cruiser 1100 + 290 

• Flow 1300 + 245 

• Flow 1100 + 245

• Flyer 800 + 290 

Reflect on your current wing set and your current skill. What aspect ratio and size are you using? Remember, eFoiling is easier than other foil sports because you will have a consistent power source. This means you can size down from your current foils. For example, if you use a 1300 foil for a wind sport, consider an 1100 for your eFoil. 

What to expect from the different Flite wings

Flow Wings

The Flow wings are built for glide and performance. They have a higher aspect ratio than the Flow S Range and will provide more glide but require a touch more skill. The 1300 will have a large wingspan for long, unpowered glides. It has an early takeoff speed and is still nimble enough to carve around in small waves. Use this wing to practice pumping a hydrofoil or learn how to prone foil waves.  Consider pairing this with the folding propellor to experiment with unpowered glides and use the power of small waves or wake. 

The Flow 1100 is faster and has plenty of glide for waves and more responsive yet forgiving turns, while the Flow 900 is the fastest and better suited for larger waves and riders with experience. Remember to consider the size of the foils you are using or have used. 

Speed wings 

The Flyer 800 is part of the speed range and is for people who need speed, response, and hard carving turns. If you’re already foiling with something in the 1100 range, we recommend getting a Cruiser 1100 and the Flyer 800 as a wing quiver. That way, you have a wing for cruising and a wing to push things hard. 

Advanced – You have extensive foil experience with a small wingboard or surfing

Are you using a low-volume sinker wingboard or paddling into waves? Do you see the potential for using an eFoil to charge into more waves than you ever dreamed possible? Imagine being able to train your pumping skills and connect waves daily. At this level, things get exciting as Fliteboard has some incredible high-performance boards. 

Recommended Flite eFoil boards – Advanced

• Fliteboard PRO 

• Ultra L

• Ultra L2 

The Fliteboard PRO is a 67-liter board designed for maneuverability and response. The Ultra L is 57- liters, and the Ultra L2 is 49 liters. These eFoil boards are optimized for wave-riding or freestyle and race performance.  

Flite has some exciting specialty equipment to massively upgrade your ride and experience. From wave and race-specific wings to more aerodynamic eFoil systems and a high-performance control with tracking options. 

ULTRA L2

If you are looking for the apex of eFoil design and minimalism, the Ultra L2 is the board for you. Light, small, and responsive are the best words to describe this wave machine. At only 49 liters this will feel familiar to riders who are using a sinker wing foil board or paddling into waves on a surf hydrofoil board. 

Recommended upgrades – Advanced 

We encourage you to opt for an upgraded eFoil system like the conical performance models for less drag or the MN wave eFoil that blurs the lines between the foil you’re already using and an eFoil. Consider a folding prop for waves or choose something from the race wing range. 

Flite offers the upgraded MN Flite controller with a color interface and the ability to track unpowered rides we highly recommend this to anyone of any level but especially for eFoil surfers. 

Recommended eFoil systems – Advanced

• Performance black 80 cm. 

• Performance silver 75 cm.

• MN Flite Controller – Track unpowered wave sessions with a color interface. 

• MN Carbon 82 eFoil unit. 

• MN Carbon wave 82 eFoil unit. 

• Flite Folding Prop – Folds in for less drag when riding waves. 

Recommended wings – Advanced 

MN Range 

• Wave 1000 C + 245 C

• Wave 850 C + 245 C 

• MN 1300 C + 245 C

Flow Range 

• Flow 1300 + 245 

• Flow 1100 + 245

Speed Range 

• Flyer 800 + 290 

• Race 700 + 200 

The MN carbon eFoils are so streamlined that they are almost indistinguishable from surf hydrofoils. The wave and MN wave wings are conical and aerodynamic, allowing for a true wave experience with the least drag. The Race Series wings will be exhilarating and meet the needs of the most demanding race foiler. 

We already covered the Flow range, but to summarize, they are high-performance, high-aspect wings that will thrive in gliding and wave situations. The Speed Range is built for maximum speed and maneuverability for the uncompromising eFoil racer. 

If you have any questions about eFoils or need help deciding which is best for you, call (850) 400-8500 or email us at info@emeraldwake.com for a custom recommendation. We offer eFoil lessons, guided eFoil tours, eFoil demos, storage and delivery options for your eFoils, and more.