I wonder how it compares to the foildrive in terms of weight, drag and power (40V?)
Otherwise it looks good especially the travel capability of the air version.
looks just like the foil drive...without the kludgy tape around the mast. good to see the competition coming out and hopefully it will bring prices down. but looks like they need better global distribution/resellers, e.g., AUS, US, etc.
The Flow battery is huge, but un removable or replaceable. Probably more suited to efoil applications as it weighs 6kgs. The Air looks interesting but still heavier than the FD Max at 5kgs, the Max is 4.5kgs.
Select to expand quotebeached57 said..
looks just like the foil drive...without the kludgy tape around the mast. good to see the competition coming out and hopefully it will bring prices down. but looks like they need better global distribution/resellers, e.g., AUS, US, etc.
There is a "Takeoff Australia" who are based in Sydney. They had reached out to me a while back and asked me if I'd consider working with them (education/lesson based as I was a FD user) but I have no further information/bias other than that. I'll hopefully be getting a decent demo on one when they hit the shores. From the website I do like the fact they are travel ready, the remote seems to be feature rich, not having to tape the mast and easily move pod height without needing another motor/cable length would be nice (providing it doesn't mess with flow) the charging setup seems rapid and with more status details and hopefully it's not limited with connectivity issues requiring an additional $440 purchase to make it useable.But until I've actually seen/used it they are just website specs at this stage, either way it will be good to have some much needed competition but honestly having currently reverted back to foiling non assisted my verdict is out on the over saturation of assists both marketing and in the lineups.
Select to expand quoteairsail said..
The Flow battery is huge, but un removable or replaceable. Probably more suited to efoil applications as it weighs 6kgs. The Air looks interesting but still heavier than the FD Max at 5kgs, the Max is 4.5kgs.
I am all up for competition as long as companies are being truthful about their specs. 864Wh is about 4kg of Cells alone. Add Cell holders, BMS, Wire, ESC, Motor, Prop, Motor mount and Alloy case and I can't see how they came in at 6kg. The motor now looks like an outrunner so to get the torque they need the motor alone will be close to 1kg. If they have got the whole system down to 6kg then thats impressive. The Nano battery for a Fliteboard is 6.2kg and it's 806 Wh. Thats Battery only.
Select to expand quotebeached57 said..
looks just like the foil drive...without the kludgy tape around the mast. good to see the competition coming out and hopefully it will bring prices down. but looks like they need better global distribution/resellers, e.g., AUS, US, etc.
Looks like a gamechanger for competition in this space, hopefully pricing becomes more realistic, currently rigs are clise to 9K which seems hard to justify.
Select to expand quoteactivechris said..airsail said..
The Flow battery is huge, but un removable or replaceable. Probably more suited to efoil applications as it weighs 6kgs. The Air looks interesting but still heavier than the FD Max at 5kgs, the Max is 4.5kgs.
I am all up for competition as long as companies are being truthful about their specs. 864Wh is about 4kg of Cells alone. Add Cell holders, BMS, Wire, ESC, Motor, Prop, Motor mount and Alloy case and I can't see how they came in at 6kg. The motor now looks like an outrunner so to get the torque they need the motor alone will be close to 1kg. If they have got the whole system down to 6kg then thats impressive. The Nano battery for a Fliteboard is 6.2kg and it's 806 Wh. Thats Battery only.
Totally agree with you. Manta are coming from efoils, even their ad says biggest battery in class, so also means the heaviest. FD have always developed with the surfer in mind, weight is critical, not run time. Good to see competitors in this area but for those interested only in pump and waves the weight will be a huge disadvantage. And I understand that swapping batteries on the Air isn't something you want to try at the beach, small screws to loose.
Im leaning towards the Flow as the smaller form factor and incredible run time are the big positives, however the weight is a concern. As an exercise I thought I'd check some numbers compared to my current FoilDrive Assist Plus (Gen1) and the FD Gen2 Max.
My FDA plus weighs 4Kg including motor and POD, 2M long cable, perspex board mounting plate, battery etc. So everything that mounts on the board, excluding the hand controller. This battery is 363 WH and weighs 1.74Kg
The TakeOff Flow is quoted at 6Kg and has a 864WH battery
If, hypothetically, you were to deduct the weight of my FDA Plus battery at 1.7Kg and the capacity of 362WH from the TakeOff Flow you would have a weight of approx 4.26Kg (6.0-1.74) and a capacity of approx 500WH (864-363).
These numbers are similar to the FD Max which is quoted at 4.5Kg and has a 498WH battery.
Physical sizes are similar with the FD MAX slightly longer, yet narrower
So, in effect, the Flow is comparable to the FD Max in terms of weight, battery capacity and dimensions, there's just more battery and weight in proportion.
Is there an option for Manta to produce a Flow with reduced battery, weight and size?
Say 500WH, 4.2Kg and slightly smaller form factor?
It is difficult to understand how 6Kg will feel directly above the mast, perhaps this is providing a good incentive for the operator to lose some more weight ?
Select to expand quoteactivechris said..airsail said..
The Flow battery is huge, but un removable or replaceable. Probably more suited to efoil applications as it weighs 6kgs. The Air looks interesting but still heavier than the FD Max at 5kgs, the Max is 4.5kgs.
I am all up for competition as long as companies are being truthful about their specs. 864Wh is about 4kg of Cells alone. Add Cell holders, BMS, Wire, ESC, Motor, Prop, Motor mount and Alloy case and I can't see how they came in at 6kg. The motor now looks like an outrunner so to get the torque they need the motor alone will be close to 1kg. If they have got the whole system down to 6kg then thats impressive. The Nano battery for a Fliteboard is 6.2kg and it's 806 Wh. Thats Battery only.
The 6kgs does not include the motor just as Foildrive Max 4.5kgs does not include the motor - as claimed by MantaFoil anyway.
Select to expand quoteSheps said..activechris said..airsail said..
The Flow battery is huge, but un removable or replaceable. Probably more suited to efoil applications as it weighs 6kgs. The Air looks interesting but still heavier than the FD Max at 5kgs, the Max is 4.5kgs.
I am all up for competition as long as companies are being truthful about their specs. 864Wh is about 4kg of Cells alone. Add Cell holders, BMS, Wire, ESC, Motor, Prop, Motor mount and Alloy case and I can't see how they came in at 6kg. The motor now looks like an outrunner so to get the torque they need the motor alone will be close to 1kg. If they have got the whole system down to 6kg then thats impressive. The Nano battery for a Fliteboard is 6.2kg and it's 806 Wh. Thats Battery only.
The 6kgs does not include the motor just as Foildrive Max 4.5kgs does not include the motor - as claimed by MantaFoil anyway.
I would be surprised if Foildives Max didn't include motor. 2.65kg battery + Outrunner of that size about 1kg leaves them around 700grams for alloy housing and esc which could be doable.
they say 4,5kg without motor and 5,8kg with it. This is for the Max power version.
foildrive.com.au/pages/compare
Select to expand quoteFrankieboy said..
they say 4,5kg without motor and 5,8kg with it. This is for the Max power version.
foildrive.com.au/pages/compare
WOW! I stand corrected.
Just weighed my Foildrive Plus system, 3.27kgs, complete with motor, pod, standard battery and prop. That's almost 500gms lighter than the Slim performance but with double the battery capacity. Makes the 6kg Manta Flow look super heavy.
Shows if you want a lightweight drive, stick with the FD Plus if you don't need the 40v system.
Select to expand quoteairsail said..
Just weighed my Foildrive Plus system, 3.27kgs, complete with motor, pod, standard battery and prop. That's almost 500gms lighter than the Slim performance but with double the battery capacity. Makes the 6kg Manta Flow look super heavy.
Shows if you want a lightweight drive, stick with the FD Plus if you don't need the 40v system.
Yeh I think anyone considering a MantaFoil will be comparing with Gen2 Max to be honest. Having the weight under the board and on top of the mast is a big advantage. The max isn't that much lighter than the Flow but considerably less capacity. Same argument I guess when comparing the FD Max with the slim but just at an even heavier/ greater capacity trade off. The elite foiler may not be looking at the heavier end of the market but nor will they be looking at the old Foildrive systems as they aren't being manufactured any more.
Hi everyone nice to read comments on new TAKEOFF we a looking forward to the backers receiving there units and excited to hear what they think . Here's a link to the Australian branch website TAKEOFF AUSTRALIA we will be here to offer full support , sales and answer any questions. Look out on YouTube shortly we will be putting up a lot of videos showing all the features and benifets of the takeoff foil assist .
takeoffaustralia.com.au/
Select to expand quoteTakeOffAus4 said..
Hi everyone nice to read comments on new TAKEOFF we a looking forward to the backers receiving there units and excited to hear what they think . Here's a link to the Australian branch website TAKEOFF AUSTRALIA we will be here to offer full support , sales and answer any questions. Look out on YouTube shortly we will be putting up a lot of videos showing all the features and benifets of the takeoff foil assist .
takeoffaustralia.com.au/
Very much looking forward to riding a Manta Foil Flow assist shortly. I'm one of the early backers and should be one of the first to receive so will let everyone know my thoughts before too long I hope. Just don't know how long the battery will take to come to Australia, potentially slowing the roll out time. Will the batteries have to come by ship or are they allowed to fly somehow? The MF Air I know can, so this will roll out faster I suspect.
Select to expand quoteSheps said..TakeOffAus4 said..
Hi everyone nice to read comments on new TAKEOFF we a looking forward to the backers receiving there units and excited to hear what they think . Here's a link to the Australian branch website TAKEOFF AUSTRALIA we will be here to offer full support , sales and answer any questions. Look out on YouTube shortly we will be putting up a lot of videos showing all the features and benifets of the takeoff foil assist .
takeoffaustralia.com.au/
Very much looking forward to riding a Manta Foil Flow assist shortly. I'm one of the early backers and should be one of the first to receive so will let everyone know my thoughts before too long I hope. Just don't know how long the battery will take to come to Australia, potentially slowing the roll out time. Will the batteries have to come by ship or are they allowed to fly somehow? The MF Air I know can, so this will roll out faster I suspect.
You can't remove the battery from the Flow, only the Air. Your kit will come DG all the way.
Hi I'll help clear the question up about shipping , both units will come by Air so it's faster to get to Australia 
Select to expand quoteTakeOffAus4 said..
Hi everyone nice to read comments on new TAKEOFF we a looking forward to the backers receiving there units and excited to hear what they think . Here's a link to the Australian branch website TAKEOFF AUSTRALIA we will be here to offer full support , sales and answer any questions. Look out on YouTube shortly we will be putting up a lot of videos showing all the features and benifets of the takeoff foil assist .
takeoffaustralia.com.au/
Hi, so that link doesn't work. Is there another one? cheers,
Has anyone got 1 yet? still not seen any good riding on a manta just their mediocre promo vid
