Forums > Wing Foiling General

How good is the new North Sonar?

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Created by MProject04 > 9 months ago, 18 Feb 2023
leepasty
371 posts
10 Mar 2023 10:02PM
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Low price?
on that link it says ?650 for just the front wing which is up the top end of price range in uk

Jeroensurf
888 posts
11 Mar 2023 1:49AM
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I tried the MA 1050 with there carbon mast, fuse and the adviced stab.
The mast is nice thin and stiff but also pretty wide. The whole system is pretty stiff and not the lightest. The extra width of the mast was noticeable in the turn and didnt feel faster as my cedrus although it is thinner. The MA was a quite easy foil but also created a lot of extra lift on wave, more as my own foils.

My own set is an Cedrus mast with Cabrinha H1200-1000-800 so can,t compare it to the full original set, but after a year of pretty intense use and putting every sess the mast and plane together I have no complaints about the cabrinha set. The system with the 3 M6 bolts works fine. I can see how the bolt through might ad some stifness like with the Armstrong), but the whole package is leaning on the joint. the screws are just there to secure it. I had a sess 1 bolt came loose and the other was lost and there wasnt a big diff in feel.
The stuff is also pretty strong. I banged a couple of times hard in a reef that would deff destry the SABs I used before, but there was just a scratch or slight ding but no hole and it was easy to fix with solarez and a bit of sandpaper. Yes they are expensive, but the quality is imo top notch and for me personal a stil in quality a step above North and SAB.
Because I really like the stuff I ordered the new mast, the HA1050 and probably will get a HA1300 as well.
It is almot as expensive as Armstrong and Axis, but for me on the same level as well.

btw: I,m non sponsored or affiliated, just klike to spend my well earned money wisely

Labskaus
11 posts
11 Mar 2023 3:47AM
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Jeroensurf said..
I ordered the new mast,to spend my well earned money wisely


Do you know when ist arrive in Europe ? My hope is the mast is stiff for my 100 Kg ,i ride almost one year with the alumast and waiting for a better carbon one , Labskaus from the baltic see

tintifax
VIC, 52 posts
11 Mar 2023 9:19AM
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Jeroensurf said..
I tried the MA 1050 with there carbon mast, fuse and the adviced stab.
The mast is nice thin and stiff but also pretty wide. The whole system is pretty stiff and not the lightest. The extra width of the mast was noticeable in the turn and didnt feel faster as my cedrus although it is thinner. The MA was a quite easy foil but also created a lot of extra lift on wave, more as my own foils.

My own set is an Cedrus mast with Cabrinha H1200-1000-800 so can,t compare it to the full original set, but after a year of pretty intense use and putting every sess the mast and plane together I have no complaints about the cabrinha set. The system with the 3 M6 bolts works fine. I can see how the bolt through might ad some stifness like with the Armstrong), but the whole package is leaning on the joint. the screws are just there to secure it. I had a sess 1 bolt came loose and the other was lost and there wasnt a big diff in feel.
The stuff is also pretty strong. I banged a couple of times hard in a reef that would deff destry the SABs I used before, but there was just a scratch or slight ding but no hole and it was easy to fix with solarez and a bit of sandpaper. Yes they are expensive, but the quality is imo top notch and for me personal a stil in quality a step above North and SAB.
Because I really like the stuff I ordered the new mast, the HA1050 and probably will get a HA1300 as well.
It is almot as expensive as Armstrong and Axis, but for me on the same level as well.

btw: I,m non sponsored or affiliated, just klike to spend my well earned money wisely


Also considered the H-Line of Cabrinha but jumped on North. Also because i needed something now and could not wait for the new Cab Mast which maybe is still far away. I assume that the H Cabrinha are more like the new North HA. After testing the new 1250HA and really liking the performance and the whole System (mast slick and stiff enough for me and especially the well engineered tight fuse-mast-connection......a few brands should check that out) i got me the 1150, 950 and 750. One Session on each so far and happy. The 750 surprised me the most. I am 86 kg and got it for high wind but it works well in medium wind for me. It is so efficient.....i have never got such upwind angles. And the glide through jibes is amazing as you don't loose any speed. Even in longer carves without power source. And it is fast.....
For those of you who are interested, i'll update after i have more sessions on all sizes........

Shlogger
433 posts
11 Mar 2023 9:04AM
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tintifax said..

Jeroensurf said..
I tried the MA 1050 with there carbon mast, fuse and the adviced stab.
The mast is nice thin and stiff but also pretty wide. The whole system is pretty stiff and not the lightest. The extra width of the mast was noticeable in the turn and didnt feel faster as my cedrus although it is thinner. The MA was a quite easy foil but also created a lot of extra lift on wave, more as my own foils.

My own set is an Cedrus mast with Cabrinha H1200-1000-800 so can,t compare it to the full original set, but after a year of pretty intense use and putting every sess the mast and plane together I have no complaints about the cabrinha set. The system with the 3 M6 bolts works fine. I can see how the bolt through might ad some stifness like with the Armstrong), but the whole package is leaning on the joint. the screws are just there to secure it. I had a sess 1 bolt came loose and the other was lost and there wasnt a big diff in feel.
The stuff is also pretty strong. I banged a couple of times hard in a reef that would deff destry the SABs I used before, but there was just a scratch or slight ding but no hole and it was easy to fix with solarez and a bit of sandpaper. Yes they are expensive, but the quality is imo top notch and for me personal a stil in quality a step above North and SAB.
Because I really like the stuff I ordered the new mast, the HA1050 and probably will get a HA1300 as well.
It is almot as expensive as Armstrong and Axis, but for me on the same level as well.

btw: I,m non sponsored or affiliated, just klike to spend my well earned money wisely



Also considered the H-Line of Cabrinha but jumped on North. Also because i needed something now and could not wait for the new Cab Mast which maybe is still far away. I assume that the H Cabrinha are more like the new North HA. After testing the new 1250HA and really liking the performance and the whole System (mast slick and stiff enough for me and especially the well engineered tight fuse-mast-connection......a few brands should check that out) i got me the 1150, 950 and 750. One Session on each so far and happy. The 750 surprised me the most. I am 86 kg and got it for high wind but it works well in medium wind for me. It is so efficient.....i have never got such upwind angles. And the glide through jibes is amazing as you don't loose any speed. Even in longer carves without power source. And it is fast.....
For those of you who are interested, i'll update after i have more sessions on all sizes........


Keep them coming. I just order the 1250HA, next I'll have to choose my smaller wing, 750?850?950? ;)

patronus
372 posts
11 Mar 2023 5:35PM
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leepasty said..
Low price?
on that link it says ?650 for just the front wing which is up the top end of price range in uk



More like ?450-?600 here northkb.com/collections/front-wings. Generally looks about 2/3 price of Armstrong (top-end in UK and about 10% more than Axis?)

leepasty
371 posts
11 Mar 2023 6:19PM
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patronus said..

leepasty said..
Low price?
on that link it says ?650 for just the front wing which is up the top end of price range in uk




More like ?450-?600 here northkb.com/collections/front-wings. Generally looks about 2/3 price of Armstrong (top-end in UK and about 10% more than Axis?)




Yeah not cheap, cheaper than Armstrong but more than Axis/ Fanatic and other top brands

Jeroensurf
888 posts
12 Mar 2023 2:09AM
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Labskaus said..



Jeroensurf said..
I ordered the new mast,to spend my well earned money wisely





Do you know when ist arrive in Europe ? My hope is the mast is stiff for my 100 Kg ,i ride almost one year with the alumast and waiting for a better carbon one , Labskaus from the baltic see




I asked my dealer yesterday: between end of april and half may. That is for whole Europe. Not too happy about that, but it is what it is.

@Tinifax: they offer a good product especially for the price and if I needed something now they would be high on my list too.
regarding the HA I tried one of there HA foils for a day I just forgot wich size. Imo it was fast, like you wrote, going upwind really well but a bit more work to get on the foil and somehow more pitch sensitive as my foils (Cab-H series and still do have a Kujiras 1210 as well). The North do feel completely different as the Cab-H series (although similar specs). The Cab,s are very quick to get on the foil, fast enough, but the North HA is absolutely faster. I prever the way the Cab turn and how easy they are while still riding pretty amazing. I know it sounds a bit vague, but they just suit me really well and so far everybody who tried them hhere are really impressed with it. The only foil that I used so far that I liked equally much is the Fone 7seas.

btw I might sound like putting them below some other brands, but that is not my intention. I don,t think one is really better as the other, but I think they have different strong points.
imo the right foil is the one where you can benefit the most of the stronger points of it and don,t have any problems with the maybe weaker points. I ride strapless for example, so pop for jumping, or landing after a jump can,t bother me while waveriding in slow and soft waves (Northsea) is for me superimportant.

live2play
30 posts
12 Mar 2023 2:41AM
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New stabilizer incoming too...

S178
North is recommending it to be used with HA foils <950cm2

northkb.com/products/sonar-s178-stabilizer?variant=42399079628972


Shlogger
433 posts
12 Mar 2023 2:44AM
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Select to expand quote
Jeroensurf said..

Labskaus said..




Jeroensurf said..
I ordered the new mast,to spend my well earned money wisely






Do you know when ist arrive in Europe ? My hope is the mast is stiff for my 100 Kg ,i ride almost one year with the alumast and waiting for a better carbon one , Labskaus from the baltic see





I asked my dealer yesterday: between end of april and half may. That is for whole Europe. Not too happy about that, but it is what it is.

@Tinifax: they offer a good product especially for the price and if I needed something now they would be high on my list too.
regarding the HA I tried one of there HA foils for a day I just forgot wich size. Imo it was fast, like you wrote, going upwind really well but a bit more work to get on the foil and somehow more pitch sensitive as my foils (Cab-H series and still do have a Kujiras 1210 as well). The North do feel completely different as the Cab-H series (although similar specs). The Cab,s are very quick to get on the foil, fast enough, but the North HA is absolutely faster. I prever the way the Cab turn and how easy they are while still riding pretty amazing. I know it sounds a bit vague, but they just suit me really well and so far everybody who tried them hhere are really impressed with it. The only foil that I used so far that I liked equally much is the Fone 7seas.

btw I might sound like putting them below some other brands, but that is not my intention. I don,t think one is really better as the other, but I think they have different strong points.
imo the right foil is the one where you can benefit the most of the stronger points of it and don,t have any problems with the maybe weaker points. I ride strapless for example, so pop for jumping, or landing after a jump can,t bother me while waveriding in slow and soft waves (Northsea) is for me superimportant.


We're you riding Cab H series I or II?

MProject04
496 posts
12 Mar 2023 2:46AM
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Happy to jump on the North Sonar train after reading so many encouraging comments here! And keen to discover the HA sweet spot(s). It's indeed a great benefit to ride strapless which allows easier instant micro adjustments of stance and weight transfer etc to enter that window of the intended characteristics of the foil and wingset.

Can't wait to get that *conversation of discovery* going between myself and the foil! Love this sport!

Jeroensurf
888 posts
12 Mar 2023 6:07AM
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@ Shlogger:I,m Still on the fist version: 1200-1000-800.The new version arrives here with the mast in april/may.I really like the overall width of 90cm on all 3 of them and especially the 1000 and 1200 suit my conditions very well.
I ordered an mast 1050 and 1300 and i,m curious to see how I like these, but probably keep my current foils too.
I january I went for a trip to Fuerte wich is all rocks and reefs and dinged both 1000+1200 a lot. Its good to have a set of already abused foils for trips to conditions like that where I don,t need to worry about another scractch or ding

MProject04
496 posts
12 Mar 2023 8:30AM
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live2play said..
New stabilizer incoming too...

S178
North is recommending it to be used with HA foils <950cm2

northkb.com/products/sonar-s178-stabilizer?variant=42399079628972





Thanks for sharing! The stab range is exploding (from those lousy s01 and s02 for over two initial seasons. Here also a new stab accompanying the SF wings.

It clearly is launch and catch-up season at North, and they do so by making waves (and riding them)

Shlogger
433 posts
12 Mar 2023 8:33AM
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Jeroensurf said..
@ Shlogger:I,m Still on the fist version: 1200-1000-800.The new version arrives here with the mast in april/may.I really like the overall width of 90cm on all 3 of them and especially the 1000 and 1200 suit my conditions very well.
I ordered an mast 1050 and 1300 and i,m curious to see how I like these, but probably keep my current foils too.
I january I went for a trip to Fuerte wich is all rocks and reefs and dinged both 1000+1200 a lot. Its good to have a set of already abused foils for trips to conditions like that where I don,t need to worry about another scractch or ding

It was a toss up for me as well between Cab or North. I'm still keeping my Naish 1240, 1040 for bashing around but doesn't look like a pump and glide foil was coming anytime soon. It was a coin toss between the H II 1300 or North 1250, coin fell North. Would have never thought of North but I've fallen in love w my Mode 5.5.

WST
131 posts
13 Mar 2023 4:07AM
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did someone know the specs of the HA foils?I mean, chord and thickness?

MProject04
496 posts
13 Mar 2023 4:16AM
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WST said..
did someone know the specs of the HA foils?I mean, chord and thickness?


cornwallis
148 posts
13 Mar 2023 4:23AM
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MProject04 said..



WST said..
did someone know the specs of the HA foils?I mean, chord and thickness?









SF930 details anywhere?

Edit: found this northkb.com/products/sonar-sf930-front-wing and this issuu.com/northactionsportsgroup/docs/north_sonarridersguide_digital/4

WST
131 posts
14 Mar 2023 1:55AM
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MProject04 said..

WST said..
did someone know the specs of the HA foils?I mean, chord and thickness?





I mean chord and thickness,

span and AR are clear,
but thickness would be very interesting to see if the foil is a potential low-drag foil (makes foiling in winter times with gloves a lot more fun)

Camarillo
367 posts
14 Mar 2023 2:36PM
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Surf foils look good but nothing smaller than 930? Come on North!

And when will there be a MA smaller than 1050?

live2play
30 posts
15 Mar 2023 10:35PM
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Camarillo said..
Surf foils look good but nothing smaller than 930? Come on North!

And when will there be a MA smaller than 1050?


Agreed! Hopefully there will be sizes near the 700cm2 range in the MA and SF next update

MProject04
496 posts
15 Mar 2023 11:29PM
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I just received my new sonar cf85 with 1050ha. First a big thank you to the folks at Van den Berg windsurf shop in Hoorn the Netherlands for packing so well and carefully and shipping to me in Estonia!

I am speechless.In shock still! The quality on this thing is insanely good. I've had NP, AFS, Sabfoil (kraken 2022) (.. the latter two cost significantly more than this baby) but this is a higher level of quality. And the amount of free padding (foil bag in which I can add a wetsuit or clothes, free wing covers, mast cover etc) for the price. The mast-fuse connection is super tight (just like Tucker from Mackite said)

Now I need to wait perhaps a week or two for my local lakes to melt and I can test it. Just a big well done to the North team. By way today discovered this .. super complete technical documentation for the sonar: issuu.com/northactionsportsgroup/docs/north_sonarridersguide_digital?xnpe_tifc=xueshkhsxDH7xDe.4dYDbjpsafeWaeiWhFWZRf4gnk8vV9Q6bM49tu4vaMXlxI1phfYp4FVJb.YjhIHJ&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=sonar_rider_guide&utm_medium=north_foils&utm_content=rider_guide_launch

Any flaws?
- The HA wing doesn't fit in the foil bagbut will go into my board bag.
- I miss a 1 mm hard rubber pad between the mastplate and board. But there was a cardboard cutout which I'll use as template for a DIY cut out. All the rest is super complete.

Sharing some pics below that I took during unpacking. If she rides as good as she looks. Other valuable details
- every item has a serial nr which I documented.
- I appreciate the 'modest' carbon finish which will be good to hide scratches. I recall my previous foil with shiny-as-a-black-vase wings.. first session.. big painful and visible scratch...
- 1 single (black anodized) tool for all m8 screws (no more fiddling between m8 and m6 screws) and all screws labelled and wing screw holes labelled accordingly (like Axis does)







UisceBeatha
91 posts
16 Mar 2023 2:51AM
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Wow, that looks quality alright enjoy it.

tintifax
VIC, 52 posts
16 Mar 2023 5:56AM
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Select to expand quote
Jeroensurf said..

Labskaus said..




Jeroensurf said..
I ordered the new mast,to spend my well earned money wisely






Do you know when ist arrive in Europe ? My hope is the mast is stiff for my 100 Kg ,i ride almost one year with the alumast and waiting for a better carbon one , Labskaus from the baltic see





I asked my dealer yesterday: between end of april and half may. That is for whole Europe. Not too happy about that, but it is what it is.

@Tinifax: they offer a good product especially for the price and if I needed something now they would be high on my list too.
regarding the HA I tried one of there HA foils for a day I just forgot wich size. Imo it was fast, like you wrote, going upwind really well but a bit more work to get on the foil and somehow more pitch sensitive as my foils (Cab-H series and still do have a Kujiras 1210 as well). The North do feel completely different as the Cab-H series (although similar specs). The Cab,s are very quick to get on the foil, fast enough, but the North HA is absolutely faster. I prever the way the Cab turn and how easy they are while still riding pretty amazing. I know it sounds a bit vague, but they just suit me really well and so far everybody who tried them hhere are really impressed with it. The only foil that I used so far that I liked equally much is the Fone 7seas.

btw I might sound like putting them below some other brands, but that is not my intention. I don,t think one is really better as the other, but I think they have different strong points.
imo the right foil is the one where you can benefit the most of the stronger points of it and don,t have any problems with the maybe weaker points. I ride strapless for example, so pop for jumping, or landing after a jump can,t bother me while waveriding in slow and soft waves (Northsea) is for me superimportant.


Hi Jeroensurf, it didn't sound to me like you putting them down at all. I agree with you that the smaller size (950 and more so the 750) need a certain boardspeed or technique to get going.......I assume that is the price for the speed. For lighter days on "flatwater" i take the HA1150 and for critical wind and water conditions i still keep my Naish Mach1 1100, which is probably performing closer to the North MA 1050 (which i have not tested yet) - still reasonably fast but turny and low stall speed.

And i liked the concept of the old H-Cabrinhas with not exceeding the 90cm span. For my weight (86kg) every foil with 90cm or below is turning as i like - no matter the surface area. Whereas with a higher span i have always to take care with tighter turns.

Kovert
117 posts
16 Mar 2023 4:22AM
Thumbs Up

I moved to a north MA1350 set up with the 600 carbon fuse from a Sab set up a couple of months ago and love it! One tool for everything, super solid connections and I really like the feel. Will be adding smaller wings from either the HA or new surf wings at some point soon but love that it's all so modular and the build quality really is top notch.

WST
131 posts
16 Mar 2023 6:02AM
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Select to expand quote
MProject04 said..
I just received my new sonar cf85 with 1050ha. First a big thank you to the folks at Van den Berg windsurf shop in Hoorn the Netherlands for packing so well and carefully and shipping to me in Estonia!

I am speechless.In shock still! The quality on this thing is insanely good. I've had NP, AFS, Sabfoil (kraken 2022) (.. the latter two cost significantly more than this baby) but this is a higher level of quality. And the amount of free padding (foil bag in which I can add a wetsuit or clothes, free wing covers, mast cover etc) for the price. The mast-fuse connection is super tight (just like Tucker from Mackite said)

Now I need to wait perhaps a week or two for my local lakes to melt and I can test it. Just a big well done to the North team. By way today discovered this .. super complete technical documentation for the sonar: issuu.com/northactionsportsgroup/docs/north_sonarridersguide_digital?xnpe_tifc=xueshkhsxDH7xDe.4dYDbjpsafeWaeiWhFWZRf4gnk8vV9Q6bM49tu4vaMXlxI1phfYp4FVJb.YjhIHJ&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=sonar_rider_guide&utm_medium=north_foils&utm_content=rider_guide_launch

Any flaws?
- The HA wing doesn't fit in the foil bagbut will go into my board bag.
- I miss a 1 mm hard rubber pad between the mastplate and board. But there was a cardboard cutout which I'll use as template for a DIY cut out. All the rest is super complete.

Sharing some pics below that I took during unpacking. If she rides as good as she looks. Other valuable details
- every item has a serial nr which I documented.
- I appreciate the 'modest' carbon finish which will be good to hide scratches. I recall my previous foil with shiny-as-a-black-vase wings.. first session.. big painful and visible scratch...
- 1 single (black anodized) tool for all m8 screws (no more fiddling between m8 and m6 screws) and all screws labelled and wing screw holes labelled accordingly (like Axis does)









nice :)

any chance you can measure the chord and thickness? waiting for your report how it will work compared to Sabfoils ;)

MProject04
496 posts
16 Mar 2023 3:39PM
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Chord:
- centre, next to fuse: 13 cm
- 20 cm from the tip: 10 cm


Thickness:
- centre: 13 mm

- 20 from tip: 10 mm


My measuring tools aren't super professional. Hope it helps!



UisceBeatha
91 posts
16 Mar 2023 5:47PM
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MProject04 said..
Chord:
- centre, next to fuse: 13 cm
- 20 cm from the tip: 10 cm


Thickness:
- centre: 13 mm

- 20 from tip: 10 mm



Thanks, I am giving serious consideration to this setup. Would you have any idea how much it weighs? Also is the S270 stab that comes with the mast and fuse suitable for the HA foils. Mulling on getting the SF930 to start perhaps :-)

Looking forward to some ride reports

MProject04
496 posts
16 Mar 2023 6:08PM
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Thanks for asking UisceBeatha.. I wouldn't have thought of weighing

3.4-3.5 kg. I weighed it clean.. showed 3.5 kg. And then while holding it (minus my bw) it showed 3.4kg. That's impressive (?)

Mind you this is the full carbon edition i.e incl carbon fuse. Not a 'hybrid carbon' like others with alu fuse and / or carbon mast + alu mastplate



UisceBeatha
91 posts
16 Mar 2023 6:17PM
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MProject04 said..
3.4-3.5 kg. I weighed it clean.. showed 3.5 kg. And then while holding it (minus my bw) it showed 3.4kg. That's impressive!

Mind you this is the full carbon edition i.e incl carbon fuse. Not a 'hybrid carbon' like others with alu fuse and / or carbon mast + alu mastplate



Fantastic - thanks for that

MProject04
496 posts
16 Mar 2023 6:21PM
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Select to expand quote
UisceBeatha said..


MProject04 said..
Chord:
- centre, next to fuse: 13 cm
- 20 cm from the tip: 10 cm


Thickness:
- centre: 13 mm

- 20 from tip: 10 mm





Thanks, I am giving serious consideration to this setup. Would you have any idea how much it weighs? Also is the S270 stab that comes with the mast and fuse suitable for the HA foils. Mulling on getting the SF930 to start perhaps :-)

Looking forward to some ride reports



The s270 is the go to allround stab for the HAs yes. And for more perf they recommend the s210. I have zero experience with this thing..(still waiting for Moses to open the lakes here ..) I know all this from the (very complete) product presentation and North Sonar designer note videos. Also occasionally I shot Gunnar Binniasch and Tucker (from Mackite) a message to get inputs .. they were super responsive!

It's interesting the difference... with previous foils I had no clue what wings and stabs should be next on my progression roadmap, due to lacking documentation.

Here with North I already know what to look for next because they make an effort to communicate.. duh!



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"How good is the new North Sonar?" started by MProject04