Zip Pod

08/24/2026

Been meaning to check in with social media but life has been busy lately. The launch of the Foil Drive Universal Mini Pod has killed sales of the Zip Pod for the V2 and HP motors, exactly as expected. Kind of coincidence they priced it exactly the same as the zip pod $249, coincidence?! But it was always meant to be a gap filler until they finally brought their thing to market, mission accomplished. I thought I was done, ready to shut her down...

BUT, there has been a surge of grumpy V1 (fixed cable length) motor owners who waited all that time only to realize the bolt patterns and the cable exit don't work with the FD mini pod. V1 zip pod sales are up.

DIY Flipsky and Maytech motor mounts are being bought here and there, and Manta Flow version as well. Manta performance motor is in the works, as time permits, will post here on e available, I also have a list of folks who have commented here before for one.

https://thee3shop.com/shop/

Cable fairings have become popular because they create more laminar flow into the propeller, reducing ventilation, and permitting a wrinkle-free taping job in the area around the motor which simply cannot be overlooked, despite foil drive celebrities saying tape jobs don't matter in one podcast and then say they matter in another.

https://thee3shop.com/product/cable-fairings/

And lastly, the motor and enclosure covers have gotten more visibility and generated more sales than ever expected. In fact someone bought one for a used case I never even considered, but it still does the job of protecting the latches and the blue tabs and the o-ring the battery enclosure from damage, FOD, or protecting whatever auto or boat upholstery would otherwise be at risk.

https://thee3shop.com/product/protector-for-foil-drive-housing/

06/23/2026

Zippod.net

Checking back in. We are home from wifey's surgery and subsequent recovery in California, powering on the printers and fulfilling backorders for pods, covers, and fairings. The e-foil fairing set is apparently very popular even for those not ordering a zip pod. Likewise with the motor and enclosure covers: I have multiple orders for approx 4ea of each type. Very weird the ebb and flow of interest.

With the Foil Drive mini pod on the horizon, and it's simpler installation and removal, surely the zip pod isn't it for everyone, and we will therefore be dropping prices eventually because among other things: supply v demand.

I'll keep riding the zip pod because it has less drag with its shape, the fairings reduce cable drag, and I have a dedicated mast for foil driving. I don't need anything more. Also, I don't do rapid cable changes at the beach.

We designed something to fill an industry void, set a price which was exactly copied by Foil Drive (coincidence?), and made something that people in 15 countries have praised unsolicited. We learned about business, website creation, and slicer settings.

The FD mini pod doesn't work with V1 motors, so we'll still be open for business. The protection covers are getting bought up, and the cable fairings are getting more popular for good reason, despite the false claims of performance degradation by internet foil celebrities: why did NASA put a fairing over the engines when transporting the shuttle stop a jet back across the US? , why are the trailing edges of props also sharp? 🤔

The e-foil cable guide kit increases runtime 10% (empirical feedback), and the fairings in general give you a wrinkle-free tape job, which obviously reduces drag and ventilation.

Good to get some breathing room to focus on the family, spend more time actually foiling, and editing some old clips. We're back from hiatus, but not shutting down.

Manta performance motor version is on the horizon and the DIY guys are hyped on the Maytech 6374/6384 versions. GoPro Max protector is the next product in my queue.

Been a fun ride so far.

Zippod.net

06/02/2026

Mykhailo Stoianov Misha from Ukraine just sent me this video edit of him using the zip pod, hijacking wakes in some very picturesque scenery.

How do you stay on the water when nature goes silent? :)Thanks: F...

05/28/2026

Factory on Pause: As of today, May 27, I am pausing production for medical leave. We will be in the San Francisco Bay area for the next 2-3 weeks. Zippod.net is still live, there is a banner at the top indicating a delay in production and deliveries. You are still welcome to place an order if you can wait and I will fulfill them in FIFO order when I return to Florida, late June. It sounds like windy season out there which means I'll leave the foil drive at home, but make some time to go rent wing foil gear while my wife recovers. Shoot me a message if you are willing to show me around your local wing spot in the Bay area.

The Zip-Pod is lighter and more hydrodynamic than the factory universal motor pod. It is a great alternative to the “integrated mast” for approximately 1/10 the cost.

05/14/2026

Dagur Frank let me know, so I will share with you all, that the new code aluminum mast seems to be about the same width and trailing edge profile as the Axis 19mm red alloy. The zip pod for the red axis alloy matches its profile very well. He was debating buying a second zip pod until he made that discovery. Aside from that, he still seems happy with it and reports his zip ties have been holding up well.

05/12/2026

A friend insisted on permanently mounting a zip pod to his mast. I first tested one for multiple Max batteries with only 5200 adhesive and no zip ties; I still had to push with all my might with my foot to get it to break free from the mast. If I did not have tape as a buffer layer, it would not have come off (see my video comment). I'm curious if removing the zip ties and channels develops the prop sticking problem that the fully-integrated masts all suffer from.

This is purely adhesive strength, no secondary retention feature or match-drill-pinning. It's highly workmanship dependent so it's not something I really plan to offer for sale unless you send us a direct email ([email protected]).

There are two other of these "glue-pods" out in the world and I am waiting for those guys to share their results. I think the bond and plastic will last longer than every foil drive component shown.

I'm curious if anyone of you would be this brave...

05/08/2026

Thanks Jean-Daniel Guerin for the underwater clip. glide at 100 fps. I need one of those trolling bait torpedo cams next!

05/04/2026

It has been a while since dialing in interfaces. Starting all over with the Manta Performance motor. I'm skeptical this will work out, it's a beast. Why they use smaller mounting bolts on a bigger motor is baffling.

04/30/2026

Today, the satellite we started designing before COVID and before my first 3d printer (Ender 3) finally launched aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket, 30 minutes north of where I live. Pretty neat to make these things and just as cool to be able to see them launch up close.

04/27/2026

Maintainence is crucial. Motors generally don't like saltwater. I would suggest changing zip ties every time you rinse out and re-grease your kit, which should be somewhat often.