Maintaining your eFoil is a straightforward task, and one that you should get into the habit of doing after every session. After more than 15 years of riding and maintaining foils and building eight industry-leading eFoils, we've developed a bunch of useful care tips to help keep you running smoothly. It largely comes down to rinsing and drying all of the parts properly, checking a few important areas, and keeping an eye out for what might seem like small problems.
Short Summary of the Process
- Rinse all of your eFoil components with fresh water after every ride, then let it dry completely before storage.
- Check all electrical contacts, metal hardware, and moving mechanisms regularly for corrosion or trapped grit.
- Keep the battery dry while storing and inspect it before and after each session.
- Let the battery cool down before charging, and make sure firmware is kept up to date.
- Store the battery correctly when the board is not in use for extended periods.
- If anything looks damaged, swollen, heavily corroded, or compromised around a seal, stop using it and contact our support team.
What to Do After An eFoil Session
The first thing you should do after an eFoil session, even before you start the maintenance process, is to turn off the power and remove the battery. Don’t worry if there is water in the battery compartment, as all the components are completely waterproof! Once the battery is removed, disassemble the eFoil into its main components, as doing so makes it easier to clean and inspect properly.
Start by giving your eFoil a rinse with fresh water. It is important to be thorough, so we recommend using a hose when rinsing your eFoil. Make sure to rinse each component individually, concentrating on any metal components, moving parts, electrical leads, articulating surfaces in the Lift Connect System (LCS), and the LCS base plate, where salt water can get trapped if you don’t rinse properly. Manually actuate any moving components while rinsing to ensure any trapped saltwater gets flushed out.
Rinse the battery first, then store it in the shade while rinsing the rest of the eFoil. Don’t forget the Lift Hand Controller, ensuring you rinse under the trigger (actuating it while rinsing) and in the charging port.
Once you’ve given your eFoil a good rinse, spend a few extra seconds hosing down the motor.
You will also want to flush out the water cooling system by holding your hose against the water inlet. You can perform a similar flush on the eBox cooling line in the bottom of the board, where the propulsion unit is mounted. Salt, sand, and grit can cling to the equipment after a session, or get wedged in tiny grooves, so rinsing should be part of your daily routine.
It is super important to rinse electrical contacts carefully to remove any salt or sand left behind. For moving parts such as the hand controller trigger, work the mechanism as you rinse to help flush out debris.
Once you’re finished rinsing, remove any excess water with a clean towel, then leave your components somewhere with good airflow to air-dry. Remember that you should never leave your equipment in direct sunlight! The battery compartment should be completely dry before the battery is reinstalled for the next session. The board deck pad and handles, along with the battery deck pad, can hold water and may take longer to dry than the rest of the equipment, so make sure they’re dry to the touch before anything goes into a bag or case.
Once everything is clean and dry, take a few minutes to inspect it for damage, seal wear, or any signs of corrosion. That’s it!
The whole routine is actually pretty simple, particularly with the new LCS system on the LIFT5 and LIFTX, which makes it possible to remove and swap out components in seconds. All you have to do is break the foil down to its individual components, then rinse, dry, and inspect them after every ride. If you make this routine part of your packing-up process, you are much less likely to let an avoidable problem sit unnoticed between sessions.
Stay Ahead of Corrosion
If you ride in salt water, a little bit of corrosion is inevitable. That’s the one and only downside of riding in the ocean, but the good news is that you can delay the onset of corrosion through a diligent maintenance routine.
Electrical contacts and metal hardware need to be regularly checked, especially because salt can hide in very small areas and narrow grooves that are hard to spot if you only do a quick scan. Check the electrical contacts and metal hardware for moisture buildup or signs of corrosion. We recommend applying ReelX to the electrical contacts and metal hardware on the board, propulsion unit, and battery at least once a month (ideally more frequently, depending on how often you ride).
The main point to understand is that preventing problems is the best thing you can do to keep your board in good shape. Doing light maintenance on a clean contact is much easier than discovering weeks or months’ worth of corrosion that you hadn’t previously noticed.
If you do find corrosion and it looks advanced, don’t start grinding away at a connector or trying to rebuild an electrical component yourself. Instead, it is essential that you stop using the part entirely and contact Lift Support.
Battery Care Is Super Important
The battery deserves its own maintenance routine, as it is the one part of the eFoil that is most susceptible to neglect. It’s unlikely that there will be any issues, because our batteries are IP68-rated, double-walled, and sealed. But it is still important to keep the battery dry and inspect it regularly. Before every session, closely inspect the housing, seals, and contacts. Do the same thing again after each session. If you notice swelling, physical damage, unusual corrosion, or anything abnormal around the seal, stop using the battery and contact Lift Support!
When rinsing the battery, it is important to focus on the connector sockets and LCS handle mechanism. We recommend rapidly pressing the handle release button multiple times while continuing to rinse. That helps wash salt, sand, and debris out of the moving parts.
After the battery has been rinsed and dried, it is essential to allow it to cool before charging it again. While charging, ensure that the battery is kept out of sunlight or excessive heat (it should always be kept below 50 C, or 122 F). Don’t store anything heavy on the battery or charger, and be careful not to drop them or otherwise damage them. Always charge the battery in a dry environment, and only use the provided charger to do so. If the battery shows any sign of damage, do not connect it to the charger or the board. Also, it is important to never leave the battery unattended on the charger or to store it on the charger long term.
It is also important to never remove or install the battery while the board is in the water. Also remember to keep the contacts clean and dry between uses, and check periodically that the battery is running the latest available firmware.
Once the battery is fully charged, it will stop actively charging and enter standby mode. We recommend disconnecting it once charging is complete, rather than leaving it plugged in for longer than necessary. This is also a good opportunity to check for any abnormal noises, excessive heat, or flashing LED warning lights.
Finally, always store the battery in a cool, dry place, or in its storage case. If you take good care of your battery, it will last a long time and take good care of you. As with every other aspect of eFoil maintenance, establishing a comprehensive routine that you do after every session is the key to long-term enjoyment of your eFoil.
How to Store an eFoil Between Rides
If you are riding again soon, storage is mostly about keeping the equipment protected. Never pack sandy wings in a bag with other components. Never store damp hardware in a case and then forget about it. And, most importantly, always keep the battery somewhere dry and safe, where it isn’t going to get knocked around.
Long-term storage has its own set of considerations. If you’re putting the board away for the season, we recommend storing the battery at between 30 and 50 percent charge, and checking its state of charge at least once every 90 days. Setting a reminder on your phone for every couple of months makes it easy to remember.
The bags and cases also need a bit of attention. Shake out loose sand and grit regularly, and if you rinse a board bag, wing bag, or battery backpack, leave the zippers and compartments open until it has air dried completely.
Finally, you should always store the entire eFoil in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, whether you plan to use it the next day or three months later.
The Importance of Regular Inspections
Sometimes it feels easier to just give your board a good rinse, especially when you are in a rush after a session. But regular inspections are what reveal the potential issues that might keep you out of the water for a lengthy period of time.
Look for damaged seals, cracks, heavy corrosion, loose hardware, impact damage, and anything abnormal around the battery area. Pay attention to any noticeable changes, like a connector that suddenly takes more force to seat, a folding mechanism that feels stiffer than normal, or hardware that keeps coming loose.
For the seals specifically, we suggest looking for cuts, cracks, or discolorations. If you see visible damage, the seal needs to be replaced before the eFoil goes back into the water. We recommend replacing all of the seals at the same time, even if only one appears damaged.
Some problems are easy to solve before your next session, but others are a red flag telling you to stop immediately. If you are unsure what you are looking at, get in touch with Lift Foils support before riding again.
eFoil Maintenance FAQ
Do I need to rinse my eFoil after every ride?
Yes. Rinse the board, foil, mast, and propulsion components with fresh water after every session, especially after riding in salt water. This removes salt, sand, and grit before they can cause corrosion or affect hardware or electrical contacts.
How often should I apply ReelX?
We recommend applying ReelX at least once a month. Riders using their eFoils frequently, especially in salt water, may want to apply it more often.
Can I charge my eFoil battery right after riding?
Let the battery cool first. Always dry and inspect it before charging, and make sure the contacts are clean.
How should I store my eFoil battery long term?
Store it at 30 to 50 percent charge, and check the state of charge at least every 90 days. Never store it on the charger!
When should I contact Lift Support?
Stop using the equipment and contact support immediately if you find significant corrosion, damaged seals, structural damage, abnormal battery swelling, battery damage, or electrical components that no longer connect or operate normally.
Get Your Routine Dialed
The ultimate goal is for your maintenance routine to become second nature. It might seem boring to have to rinse and inspect your eFoil after every session, but do you know what is more boring? Missing sessions while waiting for repairs that could have been avoided.
After every session, rinse your foil completely, then dry it, inspect it, and store it in a dry, dark place out of direct sunlight. Take care of the battery and deal with any corrosion before it becomes a problem.
For more detailed guidance or help with something that you feel unsure about, visit Lift Support or check out the FAQ page.