Fliteboard Series 2
21st June 2021
Fliteboard Series 2 – continuing the evolution of the world’s most advanced electric hydrofoil board.
Since it was first conceived in 2016, the Fliteboard range of electric foiling surfboards has established a leading position in the eFoil market, combining a passion for design, engineering and technology with fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. In early 2021, Fliteboard announced a package of evolutionary improvements to the original award winning design, offering riders a range of new features, and continuing the company’s mission to electrify the water and give riders the world’s most advanced electric hydrofoil boards.
Mass production partners.
COBRA has been involved with the production of Fliteboards from the early days: providing materials and production process support, through prototyping and then into production and delivery of the boards, wings, and accessories in 2018. With Fliteboard growing rapidly, and thousands of boards now delivered across more than 80 countries, it has become more important than ever for composite production to operate efficiently and at the required scale.
COBRA continue to support Fliteboard with additional moulds and lean manufacturing production lines added to reduce customer lead times and build up stocks of the new boards across Fliteboard’s expanded dealer network. In addition to this production capacity expansion, COBRA have successfully met the technical challenges set by the Fliteboard team and have been able to incorporate all the new Series 2 board features into the existing production processes.
Evolutionary refinements – making the best better.
Fliteboard’s first composite models used a carbon fibre and Innegra sandwich laminate over a moulded EPS foam core, combining maximum strength, stiffness, and durability with a low overall board weight. The same construction concept is used for the Series 2 boards, with several new finishes added to the range along with lighter colour matched EVA deck pads and upgraded latches on the carbon fibre board lid. New wood grain and metallic paint finishes have been introduced with COBRA’s semi-transparent paint system used to save weight and display the stunning hexagonal weave pattern of the carbon and Innegra reinforcement fabrics.
Some of the less visible updates for 2021 are just as important as the styling refinements, with COBRA working with Fliteboard to adapt the board manufacturing process to simplify Fliteboard by removing all electronic systems from the board, and to incorporate Fliteboard’s patent pending wireless connectivity improvements that let RF signals travel easily through the board to the Flitebox. All of these new features, and the new integrated lightbar in the nose of the board, provide the rider with enhanced control, system information and a more seamless on the water experience aboard the most stunning eFoil boards available.
Fliteboard Ultra – smaller, lighter, and more extreme
Also new for 2021, is ULTRA, Fliteboard’s smallest and lightest model with a volume of only 54 litres. Designed to offer next-level performance for advanced riders, ULTRA is the only entirely new board shape in the Series 2 line up. The reduced length and swing weight of this radical new design provides more maneuverability when riding waves, and even the possibility for jumps and aerial tricks with the optional foot straps fitted. The new ULTRA model is built on the same production lines as the existing models and is available in black or silver colour finishes.
One-stop shop.
As well as manufacturing the carbon composite boards for Fliteboard, COBRA also provides additional components and accessories for the expanded Series 2 range. A key benefit of Flite’s Unibody hydrofoil assembly is that advanced riders can swap or adjust front wings and rear stabilisers to tune the board’s handling. COBRA manufacture the new Race, Flow and Cruiser wings and stabilisers for the Series 2 boards and also produce the padded wing bags to protect these sophisticated carbon fibre blades.
Constantly evolving composite production expertise.
As Fliteboard continues to develop and enhance their product range, COBRA maintains a parallel path of continuous improvement in product quality and production efficiency. New production techniques and materials are constantly characterized and evaluated ensuring that, whatever the product, COBRA can always provide the most appropriate high rate production solution for Strong, Light, and Beautiful composite components. COBRA has been delighted to be part of the Fliteboard story so far and is looking forward to even more composite challenges in the future.
