I have a unique opportunity to get to test one out, but given I could make one I kinda want to order the powertrain first then make a rough prototype to see what he thinks.
I know one of the two people in my city that has one.
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Are lakes or oceans a lot better, or are very large rivers (like the Mississippi at the Missouri) a lot of fun too?
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My guess would be lakes are best, but I bet you could do it on the mississippi if you wanted.
Next summer I’ll definitely ask for the demo, so I’m gonna try to make a prototype foil before then.
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I think Lakes, that’s where I tried one at least. An ocean requires a lot more maintenance I was told. After every ride you have to fully flush the system of salt water.
Rivers could be awesome if the are deep, especially if they flow in one direction. Manual foil down one way and then use the electric part as a lift back to the top
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you were told correctly.
Soaking an electronic/mechanical device in saltwater is just about the dumbest thing you can do to it. A single drop of saltwater will kill bearings, batteries and esc’s way faster than you think.
also, the ocean is rough and will require more skill to stay on the board. (crap, now I want to make one for the ocean)
stop bumping this thread. you’re making me think seriously about this.
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I could be wrong, but it seems like efoils in contrast to esk8 are legal in most places, including Germany for example. However, that may also be since these things are fairly new. I hope though that’s not the case and I can hop on one soon without riding like a thief and fear of getting caught.
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there are almost certainly marine laws governing even the smallest marine craft. For example, in US waters, stuff like proper life jackets, lights and other safety gear. Speed limits and other “rules of the road” apply for all craft.
I don’t think you would have to register the craft, but that will depend on local enforcement. Technically in US, if it’s powered it needs to be registered, but I promise you they will laugh hard when you try to register a surfboard 
even if you make them do it anyway
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Sounds like when I tried to get liability insurance for esk8.
I might as well been a 4-headed camel that was speaking proper British English and discussing quantum physics with a box of worms. The worms had zero clue.
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Efoils have to be registered in Germany and can be registered, as far as I know; electric skateboards, on the other hand, have to be registered but cannot be registered. And if you do not register your eskate board you are fined for not having registered it. Makes perfect sense, no?
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Any developments on this? How to get started? I live in Annapolis and have six months of perfect weather for this.
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Check the forum and pacificmeisters stuff. Super easy to build from what I’ve seen, he has whole YouTube guides and is an Esk8 guy
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Can you link the forum. I didn’t see it above?
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This is the one I’ve looked at.
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Yes, that one. It used to be called “efoil.builders” but it’s the same forum.
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