Foil Drive Help: Universal Motor Pod & Mast Adaptor Installation
The Universal Motor Pod and Universal Mast Adaptor let you mount your Foil Drive motor securely on a wide range of masts with different widths, tapers and shapes. Installation is simple, but picking the right nose cone and key is what gets you a tight, secure fit.
What you need
The Universal Mast Adaptor, long and short nose cones, the adaptor keys, pod bolts, a 2.5 mm Allen key or driver, and your mast.
1. Pick the nose cone and key
The pod comes with a long and a short nose cone. Choose the one that best fits your mast's shape and width where you want to mount the motor. Fit it over the front of the mast with a key, and try combinations until it fits best. Keys come in 5 mm steps: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mm.
The right fit: the pod shouldn't be loose on the mast before you tighten the bolts, but it shouldn't need excessive force to position either. A small gap between the nose and rear sections before tightening is normal and what you want, because the bolts compress the flexible inner parts to clamp the mast. If the two halves push together easily and slide around without the bolts doing the work, your key is probably too small.
2. Assemble
Seat the key in the moulded section of the nose cone, then fit the rear section of the pod with the rectangular opening facing down. Place it over the mast and check the fit.
3. Pre-start the bolts
This matters most on wide or heavily tapered masts, where the halves can get pushed apart. Slide the pod toward the top of the mast, bring the halves together, start each bolt by hand about 2–3 mm, then slide the pod down to your chosen position.
4. Tighten evenly
Work around the pod tightening each bolt a little at a time. Don't fully tighten one while the others are loose. When you're done the pod should be very stiff and secure with minimal movement. Every mast is different, so it's normal for the key to sit slightly proud or for the compressed pod shape to vary a little.
5. Motor and tape
Install the motor, fit the rubber motor cable guide, and apply the recommended tape/anchoring. These add another anchor point for the system.
Storage and transport
The adaptor's flexible parts can deform if they're squashed for long periods. Don't store the assembled pod under a board or heavy gear. When transporting, take the nose and rear sections off the mast where practical and bolt the pod back together so the soft parts stay supported.
If you can't get a secure fit, don't ride until it's installed correctly. Get in touch and we'll help.
Questions? Call or email The Foil Shop. Call (909) 326-0732, email info@foilshop.com or contact us here and we'll help you sort it out.