We received the Zip Pod from Brad recently and, after getting it in the water, the value proposition became immediately clear.

First Impressions / Now On-Water

For context, integrated masts — where the motor housing and cable is built directly into a purpose-shaped mast — can run well over $2,000. The Zip Pod arrives at $249 and makes a credible argument that it doesn’t need to cost more than that.

The kit is complete in a way that reflects real-world use: twelve zip ties, four bolt-hole plugs with spares, and a nail clipper for trimming ties cleanly after installation. That last detail sounds trivial until you’ve been crouched over a mast trying to find something sharp enough to do the job without it.

On land, the unit is clean. The profile sits tight to the mast and reads hydrodynamic rather than bolted-on, which matters for both drag and overall setup. Everything fits with the kind of precision that builds confidence before it ever gets wet.

On the water, it delivers. The board felt noticeably faster on takeoff, and more importantly, there was no disruption when the pod re-entered the water coming down the face of a wave — something that typically exposes drag or poor integration immediately. The ride was smooth and impressively quiet. That stood out. We’ve ridden high-end integrated mast setups that are surprisingly loud, and this was the opposite — refined and low-noise.

It’s also roughly half the weight of the current FoilDrive nosecone and puck setup, which is noticeable in handling.

Construction & Design

The Zip Pod is printed in PETG-CF — carbon-fiber reinforced, moisture-resistant, and made to order in the USA. Each pod is custom-shaped to a specific mast brand and model, which is how it achieves the flush fit that makes the integrated mast comparison credible.

It comes in at 5.4 oz, roughly half the weight of the factory universal pod at 9.9 oz.

The key engineering detail: the zip ties are not in the load path. Motor forces transmit through the pod body into the mast’s trailing edge and side surfaces. The ties are strictly retention. Based on testing from thee3shop.com, the system held 50 lbs for multiple days without creep and failed at 120 lbs. The V2/HP version also withstood a 200 CFM fire hose test. These results go a long way toward validating the attachment method.

Who Is This For?

Any foil assist rider running a compatible Foil Drive motor who has looked at integrated mast pricing and moved on. If you’re chasing reduced drag on re-entry, a cleaner profile, and meaningful weight savings — without permanent modification or a four-figure investment — the Zip Pod makes a strong case.

If you’re already on a fully integrated mast setup and satisfied, there may be less reason to switch. For most riders, though, this is worth serious consideration.

What To Be Aware Of

• Installation relies on proper zip tie tension and clean routing — setup matters

• Long-term durability will depend on real-world use over time (we will continue testing)

• Fit is mast-specific, so ordering the correct version is critical

These are not concerns, but they are part of the system.

Bottom Line

At $249 in a category where integrated setups start around $2,000, the Zip Pod doesn’t need to be perfect to justify attention — but after riding it, this is clearly more than a budget alternative. It’s a well-executed solution that performs.

We’ll continue logging sessions and report back with a longer-term review, but early on-water results are very strong.—