Inbound: LIFT Foils LIFTX & LIFT5

Two big unveils over at Lift Foils HQ, with the new surf-inspired LIFT5 eFoil, and their new surf/eFoil hybrid, the LIFTX. Lift Foils Co-Founder and CEO Nick Leason explained the innovations that sit within both…

Let’s start with the LIFT5, which is your next-generation eFoil model. Tell us about the advancements made within this model compared to its predecessor.

LIFT5 is a new architecture. Not just new parts, but a full rethink of how the system comes together. The goal was clear: reduce the friction from garage to water. We kept hearing it from riders, setup was taking too much mental space. So we simplified everything. No cables, no latch systems, no second guessing if things are lined up. You drop the battery in, plug in the mast, turn it on. You’re riding. There’s still a tool in the mix for the back wing screws, but 99% of your setup is tool-free. It’s cleaner. Faster. Just makes sense.

The board shapes are tighter and more balanced. We worked on swing weight, water release, and overall volume distribution. Especially the 4’4, it’s compact but floats right and releases water cleaner off the tail. It feels faster, looser, more dialed. The whole fleet just rides better. More connected. The board disappears underneath you in a way our older platforms never quite did.

And one thing I think is important, we made sure your current wings still work. Doesn’t have to be an LCS wing. If you’ve got a favorite wing in your quiver, it’ll ride on this. And as we release more surf wings, especially the limited runs and drops we’re planning, you’ll have full access. We’re building forward, but we’re not locking you out.

Tell us about the “Quiet Ride Technology” that’s integrated into the eFoil.

Lift’s Quiet Ride uses advanced electronics to drive a gearless motor, and the result is an incredibly smooth, quiet drive system. The difference is night and day when you ride anything older. Once you get on this powertrain, there’s no going back. We keep refining the software and mechanical build to make the motor feel like it’s not even there. It just adds to the serenity and control of your ride.

How does the LIFTX differ to the proliferating foil assist systems that are appearing in the market?

The LIFTX is not a foil assist. It stands in its own category with the power and versatility to take on a number of tasks. It’s an eFoil that packs Lift power and surfs really well. In fact, all powered hydrofoil surfboards are eFoils – even if the motor is duct-taped to an old surf mast with the rider holding a box of batteries in their hand. Lucky for everyone, we built a fully integrated ride that’s reliable, durable, and does more than you’d expect.

LIFTX comes in three board sizes and two propulsion configurations: motor high and motor low.  The motor low setup is actually our standard. Our integrated, streamlined propulsion creates such little drag that riders are blown away by how well it surfs, even with the motor in the water. Our advanced folding prop system makes the ride even better, letting you surf powered and unpowered seamlessly. You can also run smaller boards and smaller wings, which increases surf capability and speed. You’re not forced into bigger gear just to get into a wave. You can power into a swell way beyond the break at top speed and double the wave ride time. It’s also a downwind machine. Throw on a high-aspect wing, charge upwind for miles, then turn and surf all the way home. The battery is 900WH, which is twice the capacity of the largest “surf assist” units out there. More run time, more power, more speed. It’s also built for absolute safety and reliability – double-walled enclosures, epoxy coatings. Not some shrink-wrapped hobby battery – this is a premium design at the highest performance and safety standards.

How much does the LIFTX weigh?

All in, the system is about 46 lbs – a little heavier than we were shooting for, but the way we’ve designed the mechanical structure and weight distribution makes it feel lively and surf really well. What people actually feel is inertial displacement – weight is just one part of that. The other is how it's distributed around the center of mass. Added structure in the carbon balances the weight and drives control and feel.

What sort of runtimes are we to expect from both of these new systems?

LIFT5 has a 2.2KWH battery and gives you 90 minutes of throttle time. That’s not coasting or cruising – that’s real power while you’re riding. Most sessions go longer, but 90 minutes of full send is a solid benchmark. LIFTX has a 900WH battery with streamlined propulsion and a folding propeller. You’ll get 45 minutes under power at solid speeds, and in a surf environment, it easily goes beyond an hour. You get a full surf session with extra in the tank.

Are the LIFTX and LIFT5 components transferable between systems? 

The batteries are different sizes, so they don’t swap between units. The propulsion systems are interchangeable – we have firmware that uses sonar to auto-detect the motor and update parameters automatically. Pretty f’in cool! That means you can put the 55mm motor on a 4’4 LIFT5 and run the 68mm motor on the LIFTX if you want to boost torque and power. A little insight into how we’re building out our LCS propulsion lineup. All wings, electronics, and components are fully interchangeable.

Yeah we’re intrigued by the new LCS (Lift Connect System). Our man on the ground at your launch event said it’s a very slick system… Tell us a bit more about that.

This was one of the biggest mechanical challenges we had to design – creating reliable, slick quick-connect mechanisms throughout the entire system. You have to try it to believe it.

The engineers dialed in every component to make sure “everything just clicks.” And it does. It’s so easy and solid that once you use it, you don’t want to go back to anything else. At Lift, we never compromise on performance. We still managed to fit high-pressure latches into tight spaces with minimal components. It’s clean, it’s strong, and it makes owning and operating the system effortless.