Waydoo Evo Prop Guard vs No Prop Guard: Real-World Test Results

Before you remove your prop guard or decide to keep it on, it’s worth understanding what actually changes on the water.

In the video above, we run a controlled, real-world test on two identical Waydoo Evo Pro Plus setups. Same board. Same mast. Same battery. Same wings. Same rider weight. Same conditions. The only variable is the prop guard configuration.

This article expands on that test and explains what changed, what didn’t, and what surprised us most once we started riding. 

⤷ If you’re still evaluating the Waydoo Evo as a complete system, our full Waydoo Evo Buyer’s Guide walks through the board, configurations, and who each setup is best for.

What We Tested and Why This Matters

A lot of advice online about prop guards is based on opinions, not side-by-side testing. We wanted to remove as many variables as possible and focus on what you can actually feel as a rider.

For this test, we used two identical Waydoo Evo Pro Plus boards with matching components and settings. The riders weigh the same, and the conditions were clean and consistent. The only thing we changed was whether the prop guard was installed, partially installed, or fully removed.

⤷ That matters because the Waydoo Evo is modular by design. To understand how guards fit into the bigger picture, it helps to know what actually comes with the Waydoo Evo and what’s optional. 

This setup allowed us to focus on three things riders care about most:

✔ How much power it takes to get on foil

✔ How efficiently the board rides once flying

✔ How the board feels when turning

How the Prop Guard Affects Getting Up on Foil

This was the first difference you could feel immediately.

With the full prop guard installed, the board required noticeably more power to get up on foil. In conditions where we normally pop up comfortably at speed seven, the guarded setup needed to be pushed to speed eight before it would lift cleanly.

Once on foil, the speed could be brought back down, but that initial burst of power matters. More throttle to get up means more battery usage and less overall ride time.

Without the prop guard, the board lifted onto foil more easily and with less effort. Takeoff felt smoother and more responsive, especially in that transition phase where the board breaks free from the water.

⤷ Read also our guide on how Waydoo Evo front wings affect lift and takeoff.

Blind Test Results: Can You Feel the Difference?

To take bias out of the equation, we ran a blind test.

One rider entered the water without knowing whether the board had a prop guard installed or not. There were no visual cues, no expectations, and no conversation beforehand. The goal was simple: ride the board and judge everything purely by feel.

Within seconds, the difference was obvious.

On the unguarded setup, the board lifted onto foil faster, required less throttle input, and felt smoother through acceleration. The transition from displacement to foil felt cleaner, and nothing felt forced. The board responded immediately to small inputs, and the rider didn’t need to look back or ask questions. He could feel it right away and confidently called that the prop guard was off.

What makes this important is that many riders, especially newer ones, assume changes like this might be too subtle to notice. In practice, they aren’t. As riders progress, sensitivity to how the board responds increases quickly. Small differences in drag, power delivery, and responsiveness become very clear once you’re comfortable on foil.

The takeaway here is simple. Even without knowing what setup you’re on, the difference in efficiency and response is noticeable almost immediately.

Turning Radius: This Is Where the Big Difference Shows Up

Straight-line efficiency is one thing, but turning is where the prop guard really changes how the board feels under your feet.

With the prop guard installed, tighter turns felt more restricted. The board resisted sharper direction changes and required more deliberate input to complete a carve. It wasn’t unsafe or unstable by any means, but the response felt muted, especially when trying to tighten up a turn or link multiple carves together.

Without the prop guard, the board immediately felt looser and more responsive. Turns were tighter, faster, and more fluid, with less resistance through the arc of the carve. In a side-by-side turning test around a fixed object, the unguarded board consistently carved closer and completed turns more quickly with less effort.

If you enjoy carving, flowing turns together, or riding in a more dynamic, playful way, this difference is hard to ignore. It changes how connected the board feels to your movements and opens up a much more engaging riding experience.

Removing the Rear Guard Only: The Most Interesting Result

This was the biggest surprise of the entire test.

We removed only the rear portion of the prop guard, leaving the front guard in place. Going into the test, the expectation was a small improvement in efficiency. What we experienced was much more significant than that.

With just the rear guard removed, the board:

• Got up on foil at nearly the same speed as riding with no guard at all
  
  
• Required significantly less power than the full guard setup
  
  
• Still felt very safe with the front guard remaining in place
  
  

This made one thing clear very quickly. Most of the efficiency loss caused by the prop guard comes from the rear section, not the front.

What didn’t change as much was turning. Compared to the full guard setup, turning performance felt similar. The real gain here was power efficiency, not agility. Because of that, riding with only the front guard installed stands out as one of the best balance points between safety and performance, especially for riders who are progressing but not ready to fully remove the guard.

Does Removing the Prop Guard Make the Board Unsafe?

This is the most common question, and it’s a fair one.

The prop guard exists for a reason. It adds protection during falls, low-speed handling, and early learning stages. For beginners, it absolutely belongs on the board.

That said, riding without a prop guard is very common among experienced riders. Removing the rear guard alone still provides front-side protection while dramatically improving efficiency. Fully removing the guard offers the best performance, but it also requires more awareness and control.

If safety is your primary concern, especially early on, we recommend keeping at least the front guard installed. 

⤷ For a broader breakdown of how modern eFoils are designed with safety in mind, see our guide on whether eFoiling is safe for beginners in Miami:

So Which Setup Should You Use?

here isn’t one right answer. The best prop guard setup depends on your experience level, how confident you feel on the board, and what kind of riding you enjoy most.

If you’re just getting started, a full prop guard is the right choice. It offers the highest level of protection and peace of mind while you’re learning balance, throttle control, and basic board handling. During early sessions, the guard helps reduce risk during falls and low-speed mistakes, which are part of the learning process.

A front-guard-only setup is a strong middle ground for progressing riders. You gain most of the efficiency improvements we saw in testing while keeping added protection at the front of the prop. For many riders, this setup delivers the best balance between safety, battery efficiency, and overall ride feel.

Riding without a prop guard delivers the loosest and most responsive experience. Turning feels sharper, efficiency improves, and the board feels more lively underfoot. This setup is best reserved for confident riders who understand their limits and are comfortable managing speed, spacing, and awareness on the water.

⤷ Read also : What eFoil equipment you actually need based on your experience level

Final Takeaways From the Water

This wasn’t a lab test or a spec comparison. Everything you’ve read here came from riding the boards back to back, in the same conditions, on the same day.

The key takeaways are simple:

• Prop guards reduce efficiency and turning response
  
  
• Most of the drag comes from the rear guard
  
  
• Removing the rear guard alone delivers a major performance gain
  
  
• Safety should always guide how far you go

Want Help Choosing the Right Setup?

Every rider progresses differently. Water conditions, experience level, and riding goals all play a role in finding the right configuration.

If you want help dialing in your setup or understanding how small changes affect performance, reach out to us directly. We’re always happy to talk through options and help you find the balance between safety, efficiency, and ride feel that makes sense for you.