Salt water is unforgiving on anything electronic, and the Foil Assist is no exception. The good news: keeping your motor, bearings and battery box in top condition only takes a few minutes after every session. Here's the exact routine Duotone recommends, plus the products that make it easy.
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6
Points to Rinse
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Every
Single Session
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2–3
LEDs for Storage
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Why Rinsing Matters
Minerals and salt left behind after a session will find their way into bearings, connectors and the motor bell. Left untreated, that leads to corrosion, sticky bearings and a shortened lifespan for your Foil Assist. Duotone's own advice is simple: rinse the entire system with fresh water after every single use, not just the ones where you remember to.
The Post-Session Rinse Routine
Work through the whole system, not just the obvious bits:
- Rinse the foil and mast, then the motor, propeller and motor bell. Remove the motor bell and rinse inside it and the bearings thoroughly.
- Rinse the top plate, board and cable. Open the neoprene cover and rinse the battery box.
- Rinse the harness and magnetic buckles until they're free of salt and minerals.
- Rinse the remote/controller thoroughly, pressing the buttons under water to flush out any trapped salt.
- Rinse the battery box connector with it assembled where possible, so water can't get in. If you rinse it separately, make sure the caps are clean and dry before refitting.
"The key thing is to rinse with fresh water. Rinse every part of the system." — Terrence, Duotone
Drying, Greasing & Protecting Moving Parts
Once everything is rinsed, dry the system with a clean towel. With it fully dry, it's good preventive practice to apply a light coat of bearing oil to the bearings, a small dab of motor grease to the stator (spread evenly and refit the motor bell to coat the inside too), and a touch of dielectric grease to the battery box and remote connectors. If sand or dirt gets into a connector, rinse it, let it dry completely, clear any debris with a cotton swab, then re-grease.
| Product | Apply To | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| WD-40 Foil Assist Motor & Bearing Oil | Bearings & motor | Displaces water and keeps bearings spinning freely after every rinse |
| Quicksilver 2-4-C Marine Grease (PTFE) | Stator & motor bell | A thin, even coat protects against saltwater corrosion |
| WD-40 Specialist Dielectric Grease | Battery box & remote connectors | Seals connectors against moisture, sand and corrosion |
Battery Care After Every Session
When removing batteries, dry your hands and the surrounding area first so nothing drips inside as you pull them out, and switch them off before removal. Then charge to storage mode, around 2–3 LEDs, rather than leaving them fully charged or completely flat. Batteries left empty or full overnight, or for extended periods, will lose capacity and can shorten their working life.
Stick to this routine after every session and your Foil Assist will stay reliable for a lot longer than one that only gets rinsed occasionally. For Duotone's full walkthrough, watch the video below or head to their help centre for more detail.
Watch Duotone's maintenance video: https://youtu.be/M6NtxFwxnPs
Looking for a complete setup instead? Browse our Duotone Foil Assist complete sets & kits.