Foil Drive MAX+ vs Fusion: Which System Should You Buy?

For most riders looking primarily for foil assistance, the Foil Drive Assist MAX+ is the place we would start. Choose Fusion when maximum power, heavier-rider performance, longer periods under power or access to the larger 864Wh Fusion battery matter more than keeping the system compact.

That distinction is worth explaining because MAX+ and Fusion are now much more closely related than the older Foil Drive range.

Both use Foil Drive's Gen 2.5 43.2V platform. Both can use the same 648Wh FM+ 650 battery. Both can be configured around current motor options. With that same battery fitted, there is only around 420g between their quoted minimum installed weights.

So this is not simply “light system versus powerful system”. The better question is how much power and battery capacity do you genuinely need?

Here is how we would compare the Foil Drive Assist MAX+ and Foil Drive Fusion at The SUP Company.

Foil Drive MAX+ vs Fusion: the quick answer

• Choose MAX+ for all-round foil assistance: surf, wing, downwind, wake and flatwater starts where you want plenty of power without carrying the longest Foil Drive system.
• Choose Fusion for maximum system capability: particularly heavier riders, longer powered use, e-foil-style riding and anyone wanting the 864Wh Fusion battery.
• Do not choose Fusion purely because its numbers are higher: with the same FM+ 650 battery, Fusion only adds 2kg of quoted maximum thrust and 100W of sustained power.
• Consider Fusion more seriously above 100kg: Foil Drive specifically positions Fusion for riders above 100kg, while its MAX+ material positions that system for riders under 100kg on small to mid-length boards.
• Battery choice may decide it: MAX+ accepts the FM+ 650 directly. Fusion can use the FM+ 650 or step up to its much larger 864Wh Fusion battery.

MAX+ vs Fusion specifications

Specification	Foil Drive MAX+	Foil Drive Fusion
Platform	Gen 2.5	Gen 2.5
System voltage	43.2V	43.2V
Maximum thrust	35.5kg	37.5kg
Peak power	2,150W	2,370W
Sustained power	1,750W	1,850W
FM+ 650 battery	Direct fit	Compatible with FM+ Battery Adaptor
Fusion 860 battery	No	Yes
Battery capacity	648Wh at launch	648–864Wh
Minimum installed weight with FM+ 650	6.71kg	7.13kg
Installed weight with Fusion 860	Not applicable	8.08kg
Installed length with FM+ 650	540mm	658mm
System body length	305mm	420mm
Manufacturer rider positioning	All abilities under 100kg using small to mid-length boards	Includes riders above 100kg, learners and riders wanting more power/runtime
Main reason to choose it	Powerful assistance with a shorter, lighter overall package	Maximum Foil Drive power and access to the 864Wh battery

The quoted installed-weight figures use Foil Drive's stated integrated High Power motor and three-blade configuration. A retrofit Mini Pod mounted at 20cm adds approximately 360g to either system, so compare like with like when looking at weights.

The biggest surprise: Fusion is only 420g heavier with the same battery

This is probably the most useful number in the whole comparison.

With the FM+ 650 battery, Foil Drive quotes:

• MAX+: 6.71kg minimum installed weight.
• Fusion: 7.13kg minimum installed weight.

That is a difference of approximately 420g, or just over 6%.

Fusion is physically longer, though. MAX+ is approximately 540mm installed with the FM+ 650 compared with 658mm for Fusion. That additional 118mm is worth considering on shorter foil boards where compactness, balance and handling matter.

So the trade-off is more subtle than simply calling MAX+ lightweight and Fusion heavy.

MAX+ saves some weight, but its bigger advantage is being a shorter and more compact system.

How much more powerful is Fusion?

Fusion is more powerful, but the difference is worth putting into context.

Compared with MAX+, Fusion provides:

• 37.5kg versus 35.5kg maximum quoted thrust.
• 2,370W versus 2,150W peak power.
• 1,850W versus 1,750W sustained power.

That works out at roughly 6% more maximum thrust, 10% more peak power and 6% more sustained power.

Those improvements can absolutely matter when a system is being worked hard. A heavier rider trying to lift a small board onto foil, repeated flatwater starts or extended powered riding are good examples.

But for a rider who mainly needs a short burst of power to catch a wave or release a suitable foil from the water, MAX+'s 35.5kg maximum thrust is already substantial.

Do not buy Fusion simply because 37.5 is a bigger number than 35.5. Buy it when you have a use for the additional headroom.

The real Fusion advantage is the 864Wh battery

This is where the two systems separate more clearly.

MAX+ launches around the FM+ 650 battery, which has a rated capacity of 648Wh.

Fusion can use that same FM+ 650 with the FM+ Battery Adaptor, but it can also use the larger Fusion 860 Battery.

Despite the model name, the Fusion 860 has a rated capacity of 864Wh. That is around 33% more stored energy than the FM+ 650.

The trade-off is weight:

• FM+ 650 battery: approximately 3.95kg.
• Fusion 860 battery: approximately 4.9kg.

That is approximately 950g more battery weight for the additional capacity.

Installed into Fusion, Foil Drive quotes approximately 7.13kg with the FM+ 650 and 8.08kg with the Fusion 860.

FM+ 650 or Fusion 860?

The ability to choose between these two batteries is one of Fusion's strongest features.

Choose the FM+ 650 in Fusion when...

• You do not need maximum runtime for that session.
• You want to save around 950g compared with the Fusion 860.
• You use the motor mainly for starts and intermittent assistance.
• You also own MAX+ and value sharing the same battery family.
• You have a long walk to the water or regularly carry the complete setup.

Choose the Fusion 860 when...

• Long powered sessions are important.
• You are using Fusion more like an e-foil.
• You expect repeated starts and recoveries.
• You are a heavier rider with greater energy demands.
• You would rather maximise available battery capacity than minimise installed weight.

This battery flexibility is why Fusion is more than simply a slightly more powerful MAX+.

What does the bigger battery mean for runtime?

Runtime figures need care because the way a Foil Drive is used changes consumption enormously.

Foil Drive does, however, publish indicative tests for both batteries using the same broad test assumptions: an 80kg rider, 800cm² front wing and 40-litre board.

Manufacturer test	FM+ 650	Fusion 860
E-foil – intermediate rider	Approx. 31 mins	Approx. 41 mins
E-foil – advanced rider	Approx. 52 mins	Approx. 65 mins
Surf – intermediate rider	Approx. 40–50 mins	Approx. 50–80 mins
Surf – advanced rider	Approx. 55–70 mins	Approx. 80–110 mins

These are useful comparison figures, not guaranteed session times.

Foil Drive's surf testing assumes very different motor use from its e-foil test. A good surf foiler may power onto a swell, turn the motor off and ride or pump for a considerable period. Someone learning flatwater starts may repeatedly use substantial throttle.

Rider weight, foil area, board drag, wind, chop, current, motor height, propeller choice and the amount of time spent on the trigger all change consumption.

Which system is better for surf foiling?

For most riders whose priority is assisted surf foiling, we would start the conversation with MAX+.

You still have up to 35.5kg of quoted maximum thrust and 1,750W sustained output, but the system is shorter and approximately 420g lighter than Fusion when both use the FM+ 650.

That matters once the motor is switched off and you are simply riding the foil.

Fusion becomes more interesting for surf when:

• You are a heavier rider.
• You are pushing onto smaller boards or smaller, faster foils.
• You want particularly high wave counts with lots of powered recovery.
• You regularly need sustained power rather than a short take-off burst.
• You want the option of the 864Wh battery.

Which is better for flatwater starts?

Both are highly relevant for flatwater starts.

MAX+ gives you considerably more assistance than the original Assist MAX and is specifically positioned by Foil Drive for easier and faster flatwater take-offs.

Fusion gives you another step in power and, importantly, the option of considerably more battery capacity for sessions built around repeated starts.

If you are learning to flatwater start, do not overlook the rest of the equipment. Board length, hull efficiency, front-wing area and your pumping technique can have as much influence on the experience as another few percent of motor power.

A well-matched MAX+ setup can therefore be easier than an over-ambitious board and foil attached to Fusion.

Which is better for wing foiling?

If Foil Drive is being used primarily to rescue marginal wind, reduce the effort needed to release from the water and help you get back onto foil after a touchdown, MAX+ is a very strong fit.

For many riders, once flying with the wing powered, the motor is no longer doing much work. Carrying maximum battery capacity then becomes less important.

Fusion makes more sense when rider weight is higher, you are deliberately using a small board or foil, or you expect longer stretches where the motor rather than the wing provides much of the propulsion.

Which is better for downwind foiling?

Again, think about what job the motor is doing.

If you want to motor upwind and then turn around to connect bumps, battery capacity can become very useful. MAX+ and the FM+ 650 may cover plenty of these sessions, but Fusion opens the door to the 864Wh battery where distance and repeated powered sections become more important.

If your priority is pumping and riding bumps once on foil, however, the shorter MAX+ package may appeal more.

This is one of the areas where board efficiency and foil choice can dramatically change battery demand.

Which is better for heavier riders?

Foil Drive's own September 2026 positioning gives us a useful guide.

MAX+ is described for riders of all abilities under 100kg using small to mid-length boards.

Fusion is specifically positioned to include riders above 100kg, as well as learners wanting longer ride times and experienced riders wanting maximum power and runtime.

We would not treat 100kg as a switch where one system suddenly stops working. An experienced 102kg rider on an efficient mid-length board and larger foil may place less demand on the motor than an 85kg rider trying to launch a very small board and foil.

But as rider weight rises, Fusion deserves increasingly serious consideration.

If you are around or above this area, send us your board volume, foil size and intended use rather than choosing on weight alone.

What makes Fusion more suitable for e-foil-style use?

Foil Drive describes Fusion as a hybrid between foil assist and an e-foil alternative.

There are several reasons:

• Higher maximum and sustained power.
• The 864Wh battery option.
• Longer motor-cable configurations can be used for more dedicated powered foiling.
• Its current specification includes an IMU tilt sensor for automatic motor safety cut-off.
• The system is designed around riders who may keep the motor running for considerably more of the session.

If your aim is primarily to ride continuously under motor power rather than use electricity to access conventional foiling, Fusion is the more relevant system to investigate.

Do MAX+ and Fusion use the same motor?

Motor configuration is a separate part of the buying decision.

Foil Drive offers current retrofit and integrated-mast options, including Standard and High Power arrangements. The system you choose does not remove the need to choose the right motor, cable length, propeller and installation for your use.

A retrofit arrangement can be particularly useful if you already own a suitable foil mast and want the motor to remain removable. An integrated arrangement gives a cleaner installation.

If comparing advertised packages, check what is actually included rather than assuming two listings use the same motor configuration because both carry a MAX+ or Fusion name.

Does the FM+ 650 fit both systems?

Yes, but differently.

The FM+ 650 fits MAX+ directly.

Fusion requires the FM+ Battery Adaptor. Foil Drive's September 2026 supplier specification lists that adaptor amongst the current Fusion base-kit contents, but packages supplied at different times can vary.

If you already own Fusion, check your kit before ordering another adaptor.

The FM+ 650 itself is a 648Wh, 43.2V battery weighing approximately 3.95kg. It includes Foil Drive's newer battery-management technology, with information including State of Charge and battery health available through compatible Gen 2.5 equipment.

MAX+ vs Fusion for different riders

Rider / use	Where we would start	Why
Assisted surf foiling	MAX+	Shorter system with substantial power and less installed weight on the same battery
Light-wind wing assistance	MAX+	Strong take-off assistance without automatically carrying the larger Fusion platform
Mixed surf, wing, wake and flatwater	MAX+	Designed as Foil Drive's Gen 2.5 all-rounder
Repeated flatwater starts	MAX+ or Fusion	Depends heavily on rider weight, foil, board efficiency and required battery capacity
Rider above 100kg	Compare Fusion first	Additional power and battery capacity; specifically included in Foil Drive's Fusion positioning
Very small board / demanding foil	Compare Fusion	Extra power headroom can become useful
Long powered sessions	Fusion	Access to the 864Wh battery
E-foil-style riding	Fusion	More power, larger battery option and system designed around extended powered use
Existing Fusion owner wanting less weight	FM+ 650 in Fusion	Saves approximately 950g versus the 860 battery without replacing the complete system
One battery family across two systems	MAX+ plus Fusion with FM+ 650	The FM+ 650 can work across both Gen 2.5 systems

For UK riders, think about the session rather than the specification sheet

UK riding makes this comparison particularly interesting because our sessions can be so varied.

A sheltered flatwater session practising twenty take-offs is very different from surf foiling where the motor runs for a few seconds between waves.

A marginal-wind Solent wing session is different again.

Before choosing MAX+ or Fusion, we would want to know:

• Your weight.
• Your experience level.
• Your board length and volume.
• Your front wing and mast.
• Whether you mainly surf, wing, downwind, wake or flatwater foil.
• How much of the session you expect the motor to be running.
• Whether minimum installed weight or maximum battery capacity matters more.
• Whether you want a retrofit motor or integrated mast.

Those answers normally make the MAX+ versus Fusion decision much clearer.

What is included?

Both systems can involve configuration choices, so always check the exact product variant before ordering.

Foil Drive's September 2026 supplier specification for MAX+ includes the MAX+ unit, FM+ 650 battery, chosen motor option, chosen AC lead, V3 Controller, 43V 12A charger, mounting hardware, tools and maintenance accessories.

The September Fusion base-kit specification includes the Fusion unit, V3 Controller, 43V 12A charger, FM+ Battery Adaptor, mounting hardware, tools and maintenance accessories. Battery and motor choice therefore need to be checked against the exact package being purchased.

See the Foil Drive Assist MAX+ and Foil Drive Fusion listings for the configurations currently offered by The SUP Company.

Try Foil Drive at The SUP Co x Lymington

This is a premium technical purchase where trying the equipment and discussing your existing foil setup can be far more useful than comparing specifications online.

Through The SUP Co x Lymington Try It Now we can offer advice and selected foil-assist demo opportunities, subject to equipment availability, conditions and rider suitability.

We can look at your board, mast, foil and rider weight and help establish whether the compactness of MAX+ or the additional capacity of Fusion is actually useful to you.

Please contact us before travelling if there is a particular system or configuration you want to see or try.

Finance, delivery and setup advice

Finance options are available on qualifying orders, which can be useful when investing in a complete setup.

Availability and delivery times can vary by battery, motor, mast and package configuration, so if timing matters please ask us to confirm the exact setup you need.

Foil Drive compatibility can also become complicated once different foil brands, motor generations, pods and cable lengths are involved. We would rather check the complete setup before you order than sell individual components that do not achieve what you want.

Foil Drive MAX+ vs Fusion FAQs

What is the main difference between Foil Drive MAX+ and Fusion?

MAX+ is Foil Drive's compact Gen 2.5 all-round foil-assist system. Fusion provides slightly more maximum and sustained power, a longer system body and access to the much larger 864Wh Fusion battery. That battery option is one of the biggest practical differences.

How much more powerful is Fusion than MAX+?

Foil Drive quotes 37.5kg maximum thrust for Fusion versus 35.5kg for MAX+. Peak power is 2,370W versus 2,150W and sustained power is 1,850W versus 1,750W. The difference is useful when the system is heavily loaded, but MAX+ is already a very powerful foil assist.

How much heavier is Fusion than MAX+?

Using the same FM+ 650 battery and Foil Drive's stated integrated High Power motor configuration, MAX+ is quoted at 6.71kg and Fusion at 7.13kg. That is a difference of approximately 420g. Fusion with its larger 860 battery rises to around 8.08kg.

Is Fusion much bigger than MAX+?

It is noticeably longer. MAX+ is approximately 540mm installed with the FM+ 650, while Fusion is approximately 658mm. That is around 118mm additional installed length.

Can MAX+ and Fusion use the same battery?

Yes. Both can use the FM+ 650. It fits MAX+ directly, while Fusion requires the FM+ Battery Adaptor.

Can the Fusion 860 battery fit MAX+?

No. The 864Wh Fusion 860 is a Fusion battery. If access to that larger capacity is important, choose Fusion.

How much bigger is the Fusion 860 battery than the FM+ 650?

The FM+ 650 is rated at 648Wh and the Fusion 860 at 864Wh, giving the larger battery around 33% more stored energy. It also weighs approximately 950g more.

Which Foil Drive is better for riders over 100kg?

Foil Drive specifically includes riders above 100kg in its Fusion positioning, so that is where we would start the comparison. Weight is not the only factor, though. Board efficiency, foil size, skill level and intended use can all change the amount of assistance required.

Which is better for surf foiling?

For riders mainly using the motor to catch waves, recover after falls and then foil with the motor off, MAX+ is a strong starting point because it provides substantial power in a shorter package. Fusion becomes more relevant when rider weight, board and foil choice or required battery capacity increase the demand.

Which is better for flatwater starts?

Both are suitable. Fusion has more power headroom, but a suitable board, foil and technique remain critical. For many riders MAX+ has ample power; heavier riders or demanding setups may benefit from Fusion.

Which is better for e-foiling?

Fusion is the more relevant option for sustained e-foil-style riding because it offers higher power and can use the 864Wh battery. MAX+ is more clearly aimed at balancing powered assistance with conventional foiling.

I already own Fusion. Should I buy MAX+ to save weight?

Not necessarily. If your main concern is the weight of the Fusion 860 battery, using the FM+ 650 with the correct adaptor can reduce installed weight by approximately 950g while retaining your Fusion system.

Can I demo MAX+ and Fusion?

Ask The SUP Co x Lymington about current foil-assist demo opportunities. Availability depends on equipment, conditions and rider suitability, so contact us before travelling with details of your existing board and foil.

MAX+ or Fusion: which should you buy?

Start with MAX+ if what you really want is foil assistance. Its 35.5kg maximum thrust and 1,750W sustained power already provide plenty of support for surf, wing, downwind, wake and flatwater riding, while the system remains shorter and around 420g lighter than Fusion on the same FM+ 650 battery.

Move towards Fusion when you can identify why you need it. That could be rider weight, smaller and more demanding equipment, longer periods under power, e-foil-style riding or the ability to fit the 864Wh battery.

The key point is that the difference is no longer simply “MAX+ is light, Fusion is powerful”. The shared FM+ 650 has brought the two much closer together.

For many riders, MAX+ is enough system with less bulk. Fusion earns its place when you need the additional capability that its longer platform and larger battery allow.

Ask The SUP Company to compare MAX+ and Fusion for your setup. Tell us your rider weight, board, foil, experience and the sessions you want to do and we can work backwards to the right system.

You can also view the Foil Drive Assist MAX+, explore the Foil Drive Fusion or browse the complete Foil Drive range at The SUP Company.

Building a complete Foil Drive setup? The purchase decision goes beyond MAX+ vs Fusion. Read our foil assist setup by rider weight for board and foil matching, and Foil Drive motor height guide for 15/20/25cm motor positions and Fusion cable differences. Together these help avoid choosing a system that doesn't suit your board, mast and riding goals.