Jetboards vs Efoils?

Well done, great feedback!

I would say I am completely opposite. For me to go efoil I need to drive 200km to the lake, while ocean is 2 minutes away for jetboarding.

This just says that it’s all about what you can use and where.

Why can’t you use the eFoil in the ocean?

You can… but ocean is different…
it can be:


(perfect for efoil)

or it can be like this


(where i live, super strong wings and rough sea, not for efoils)

In my opinion - For efoils ideally is smooth conditions, minimal wind. On a windy and choppy day of course you can still go but it is not enjoyable experience more like a struggle. That’s why in all promos we always see perfect flat or ideally smooth waves.

As for jetboards, they are less affected by wind because you are on the surface, so you are much more stable.

I’ve build my own electric jet board (with 2 jets), and now I’m building a new one.

The lake I ride on has in the summer a lot a pond weed, making it impossible to do any kind of foiling.

Even big boats get stuck in the weeds.

My jet board has no problems what so ever with the weeds.

Also. I think that I can carve turns way more radical with my jet board than a foil can.

However. After the 2nd jet build I will try to build a electric foiling board… Just for the fun.

That’s a great point about the weed in the lake. However in the ocean i see opposite experience. There is always a lot of trash floating on the surface (old fisherman net remains, seaweed, plastic bags, sticks etc - much more than we realize) and jetboard acts like a vacuum cleaner, sucking all this crap inside the propeller every single time… If small seaweed is usually ok, it goes cut and goes through easily, but the fisherman net remains, ropes and worst plastic bags get wrapped around propeller and kill the torque instantly, resulting in a faceplant…

With efoil the propeller is not a jet, so it is not sucking anything inside + it is UNDER the level of the water so there is always less crap there.

However underwater logs and ropes and nets are a very big issue for a efoil. I hit couple of times and you fly away instantly.

So happy to have happened upon this thread. I am just getting interested in this sport and looking to make a purchase in the next few months. I have access to a mostly wake-free but narrow lake. I like the idea of being in contact with the water (jetboard) but it seems that snowboard-like carving is easier with the e-foils. Are the footholds annoying on the jetboard models? Seems like “free feet” would be more comfortable assuming you aren’t doing crazy stuff. (sigh) - sorry, so many questions…

Free feet is good for complete beginner or rentals but once you feel comfortable you really want to get the bindings to feel the board and be in control. The good example is a snowboard. I don’t think you can do much with it without bindings.

Thanks Jetsurfingnation. Sooo, if I wanted to be able to get that carving feel like in a snowboard, will that be more easily achieved on a jetboard rather than the e-foil?

It’s best to find your closest dealer or renting place and try both! You won’t regret it!

As @Jetsurfingnation wrote, @Kurt_Sykes ,best is to find a local reseller. Where are you based?

My dad used to be a pro snowboarder (hardboots / alpine), and he thinks that carving on a jet board comes closest to carving a snowboard.

However. As a jet board is way wider than an alpine snowboard you will need to stand a little bit more “offset” so that you can put the front / backside power more direct on the edge of the board.

When I ride my own DIY jet board (I’m a regulair standing rider), I have my back foot toes neer the right side edge, and my front foot heel more neer the left side edge.

Please do not get me wrong. A (e)-foil does carve too, and is a lot of fun to ride. However. You are “flying” above the water… I guess that you can compare this more with snowboarding is pow-pow (powder snow)

What do you guys think?

Looks good!..

Great article Andreas! I agree with exception that you don’t cover petrol boards which for me and many riders are the big part of fun and gives 1 hour 10 min of riding time! I would also prefer to carry 20kg instead of 45kg. They are also very noisy and very powerful.

The rest great points, always on point!

New video

EFOILS vs JETBOARDS? Side by Side Comparison + Tips. What do you prefer?

2 Likes

nice video! I always enjoy watching you in the water.

Thank you Jones! Lets ride!!!

Great video! I do not agree with everything but I guess that is alright. I think that Andreas’ earlier comment nails it. It’s like snowboarding vs skiing… Both are great in their own right. Different but still related :wink: And you will always find people arguing that their sport “is better”…

I am all-in with efoiling. I love radical turns on it (possible but needs practice), I regularly go into rough waters with it (no oceans here, but we do have ‘ugly’ wind swell in the Baltic Sea which is very fun to ride but yes very hard) and the regulations in Germany (and other countries, too) make it the overall preferred ride on inland waters. For me :wink:

I can totally understand if someone wants the raw power of jet boards though. I prefer the elegance of elevated flight… :slight_smile:

Well said Bernd and thank you for feedback!