There’s a bit more to transporting an eFoil than simply chucking it in the back of the car. There are a number of fragile parts to protect on the drive to and from the water. Plus, you’ll have to deal with water, sand, and salt on the way home and after you arrive.
A good eFoil transport routine involves packing all of the components properly, arranging them safely in the vehicle, and then cleaning and drying everything thoroughly before it gets stored. Longer breaks between sessions will require some extra battery care, and taking an eFoil battery on a commercial flight comes with additional considerations.
Key Takeaways
- Protect the board, wings, propulsion unit, and battery during transport, rather than stacking heavy items on top of them or letting equipment move around loose in a vehicle.
- Use fresh water to thoroughly rinse salt and sand off after riding, then let the equipment and bags dry completely before storage.
- Store the equipment somewhere cool, dry, and secure, away from direct sunlight and large temperature swings.
- For longer-term storage, we recommend keeping the battery between 30 and 50 percent charged and checking it at least every 90 days.
- eFoil batteries require specific planning for air travel.
How to Transport an eFoil to the Water
How much you break down your eFoil for transport depends on your foil setup, the type of vehicle you are using, and how far you need to drive to the water. The main thing is to keep the equipment protected and avoid letting the board, wings, propulsion unit, and battery move around loose in your vehicle. Lift makes dedicated bags and cases for different parts of the setup, including board bags, wing bags, propulsion cases, and battery backpacks.
If your vehicle has enough room, it’s possible to transport the entire eFoil board built up and ready to ride. On the other hand, if your transport situation is a little more compact, the Lift Connect System (LCS) makes it easy to remove and reinstall compatible components quickly. The wings and propulsion unit can then travel protected in their respective bags and cases, while the battery has its own backpack. No matter how you end up packing your parts, the most important thing is to protect the battery from falling, hard impacts, excessive heat, and prolonged time in the sun.
Clean and Dry Everything Before You Pack It Away
The ride home is usually where people get tempted to skip important steps. They finish their sessions, rinse everything quickly, throw the various components into their bags, and tell themselves they’ll sort it out later. The problem is that leaving salt, sand, and moisture trapped inside the bags makes it easier for corrosion to develop around metal hardware and electrical contacts. After riding, you need to thoroughly rinse all eFoil components with fresh water and let them all dry completely before putting them in their bags for longer-term storage. In addition, the bags need to be shaken out to get rid of loose sand and other debris. You can also wipe down the inside and outside of the bags and packs and rinse them when needed. If you do rinse the bags, leave the zippers and compartments fully open so that they can air-dry.
There will be times when you have to pack your wet equipment into the car to get it home, and that’s totally fine. Just don’t leave it like that when you get there. Take it back out, make sure it has been rinsed, let it dry properly, and check for any sand or salt inside the bags before putting the components away again. This is also a good time to inspect the components, because finding a damaged part at home is a lot better than finding it at the water, right as you’re about to start your next session.
Where Should You Store Your eFoil?
Once all the parts and bags are clean and dry, you should store the eFoil somewhere cool and secure. Storing it in a space that doesn’t experience large temperature swings is ideal, and the equipment, bags, and cases should be kept out of direct sunlight. Excessive heat and UV exposure can damage the equipment over time. This is especially true for the battery, so it’s important to avoid leaving it anywhere that can get very hot, like inside a parked car.
If you ride regularly and locally, this may be all you have to include in your storage routine. Just put the equipment away clean and dry. That way, when it’s time for your next session, you’ll be good to go.
On the other hand, if you are planning to travel with your eFoil or take a longer break from riding it, there are a few extra steps to consider.
How to Store Your eFoil Battery Long Term
If you are putting your eFoil away for the season or know that it will sit unused for an extended period of time, we recommend storing the battery at between 30 and 50 percent charge. You can check this with a short press of the battery button. Two or three out of the five LED lights should be illuminated.
Keep the battery somewhere cool, dry, and secure. We suggest 10–25°C / 50–77°F as the ideal storage temperature range, as more extreme heat or cold can cause the battery to age more quickly.
Lithium-ion batteries slowly lose charge while they sit, so don’t put the battery away for months and assume the charge level will stay exactly where you left it. Check its state of charge at least once every 90 days and bring it back to the recommended storage range when needed.
If you want more detail on charging and longer-term battery care, this guide to eFoil battery range, charging, and lifespan explains how battery use changes during a session and over time.
Can You Take an eFoil on a Plane?
Traveling with a board and foil hardware is one thing, but bringing a lithium-ion battery on a plane is something else entirely. Lift eFoil batteries are subject to airline and shipping restrictions, which means they generally cannot be taken onto commercial flights as ordinary checked or carry-on luggage without special handling.
If you're planning to travel with your eFoil, check the requirements for your airline and route well before departure. We also recommend contacting our support team before traveling so they can provide the relevant safety and transport documentation for your specific battery model.
If you find that an airline will not allow you to bring your battery under any circumstances, there are a few other options. It is sometimes possible to send batteries beforehand with a certified hazardous materials freight forwarder. If you travel with your eFoil to the same area frequently, it might be worth shipping a battery and leaving it there permanently. On the other hand, if your destination has an active foil community, it may be possible to rent or purchase a battery upon arrival. In that case, all you have to bring is your board, propulsion unit, and foil setup, and you are good to go!
The rest of your setup is easier to plan around. We offer dedicated backpacks, cases, and bags for protecting the board, propulsion unit, wings, and battery during transport.
eFoil Transport and Storage FAQs
Can I transport my eFoil fully assembled?
It depends on your eFoil setup, the size of your vehicle, and how far you’re going. Breaking it down into smaller components can make it easier to transport and protect, and the new Lift eFoil technology includes LCS-equipped components that can be removed and reinstalled without tools.
Can I put my eFoil away while it is still wet?
Definitely not. Rinse away any salt and sand with fresh water, then let the equipment and its bags or cases dry completely before packing everything away.
Can I leave my eFoil battery in the car?
Avoid using a parked vehicle as a storage location for the battery. Temperatures can climb quickly, which can damage the battery. We recommend storing it somewhere cool and dry.
What charge should an eFoil battery be stored at?
We recommend storing LIFT5 and LIFTX batteries at between 30 and 50 percent and checking their state of charge at least every 90 days.
Make Packing Up Part of the Session
Transporting an eFoil becomes much easier once you have a repeatable system for doing so. Protect the individual components, deal with wet gear when you get home instead of leaving it zipped up in bags, and make sure to inspect the battery and other components carefully for any evidence of damage.
If you’re planning to fly with your eFoil, make arrangements for the battery before you book. Visit Lift Support or contact us directly before traveling if you need help with the current requirements.