Select to expand quoteMProject04 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)
Select to expand quoteMProject04 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)
Hi there,
yesterday I got my set too, CF85/C700/MA1050,1350/S270.
Quality looks real great. I just wonder how tight I have to/can fix the screws, especially those at the mast/fuse connection?! Any advice?
Thanks
Oh yes good question! The connection is really tight and indeed you don't get a good feel of how far you can go! I put a bit of grease on the mast -fuse screws, and bolted them, tightening equally.. meaning 180degrees one bolt, 180 the other, so that the screws pull in the fuse. I went for 3-4 finger tight. You hear some scary squeaks and clicks as if the fuse will crack . I also watched how flush the front of the fuse aligned with the mast. So a bit of visual checking.
I heard Gunnar Binniasch in a video saying how accidentally he broke the fuse using a power drill.. so with that in mind I definitely prefer the provided L tool. EDIT: he drilled through the fuse at the back/stab using a power drill /EDIT
On the L tool: great to use 1 tool for each & every screw.
I do find the tool a bit on the short side. Instead I use the same tool I had from my Neilpryde foil..same torx size but it's twice longer and more easy to hold.
After my first session I checked at it was still rock solid.. took it all apart just to check and put it back together in the same way. This time less audible squeaks and clicks. Hope this helps.
That connection is a fine piece of engineering!
Thank You very much.
I used a T type ratchet wrench, so it is more comfortable and a lot faster.
I also like the one tool for all screws idea. With SAB I had up to 3.
Best regards.
Select to expand quoteMProject04 said..
Oh yes good question! The connection is really tight and indeed you don't get a good feel of how far you can go! I put a bit of grease on the mast -fuse screws, and bolted them, tightening equally.. meaning 180degrees one bolt, 180 the other, so that the screws pull in the fuse. I went for 3-4 finger tight. You hear some scary squeaks and clicks as if the fuse will crack . I also watched how flush the front of the fuse aligned with the mast. So a bit of visual checking.
I heard Gunnar Binniasch in a video saying how accidentally he broke the fuse using a power drill.. so with that in mind I definitely prefer the provided L tool. EDIT: he drilled through the fuse at the back/stab using a power drill /EDIT
On the L tool: great to use 1 tool for each & every screw.
I do find the tool a bit on the short side. Instead I use the same tool I had from my Neilpryde foil..same torx size but it's twice longer and more easy to hold.
After my first session I checked at it was still rock solid.. took it all apart just to check and put it back together in the same way. This time less audible squeaks and clicks. Hope this helps.
That connection is a fine piece of engineering!
The sounds come from the secure drops on the screws. I don't know why north but that on daily assembling screws.......but anyway, after few assembling cycles they are finally clean and alsodon't get loose with just easy tightening.
Today I had a first run on the SF1080 with S215 stabilizer, very nice foil! Lots of glide, quite fast, very loose but still easy to do a foot change. Starts easy (4'10 seek, 85 carbon mast, 5m strike, 82kg, 14-18 knots @ Brouwersdam NL)
Select to expand quoteTice said..
Today I had a first run on the SF1080 with S215 stabilizer, very nice foil! Lots of glide, quite fast, very loose but still easy to do a foot change. Starts easy (4'10 seek, 85 carbon mast, 5m strike, 82kg, 14-18 knots @ Brouwersdam NL)
Waiting on mine..we're you playing in any waves?
Select to expand quoteShlogger said..Tice said..
Today I had a first run on the SF1080 with S215 stabilizer, very nice foil! Lots of glide, quite fast, very loose but still easy to do a foot change. Starts easy (4'10 seek, 85 carbon mast, 5m strike, 82kg, 14-18 knots @ Brouwersdam NL)
Waiting on mine..we're you playing in any waves?
Unfortunately no waves yet, just small wind swell.. I hope you'll receive yours soon!
The SF1080 has a (in my eyes) quite thick profile but somehow doesn't feel draggy, don't know how they did that
Select to expand quoteTice said..Shlogger said..Tice said..
Today I had a first run on the SF1080 with S215 stabilizer, very nice foil! Lots of glide, quite fast, very loose but still easy to do a foot change. Starts easy (4'10 seek, 85 carbon mast, 5m strike, 82kg, 14-18 knots @ Brouwersdam NL)
Waiting on mine..we're you playing in any waves?
Unfortunately no waves yet, just small wind swell.. I hope you'll receive yours soon!
The SF1080 has a (in my eyes) quite thick profile but somehow doesn't feel draggy, don't know how they did that
Hi! Have you tried some of North's other foils? I'm thinking about changing to north and been looking at the HA1250 for lighter days and the SF 1080 for all round everything else
I have the old HA 1250 and 1450 with S270 plus the MA1050 and HA850 with S210. Very happy with them. Came from moses/ sabfoil and changed because I wanted a complete carbon set. I didn't like the aluminium fuses anymore. Also dropbox in the north boards is much more simple solution instead of kraken when you want to assemble fast. I never understood kraken, why make things complicated
Ok, do you get going earlier with sf1080 vs ma1050? How is the speed difference ? Thanks
Earlier with SF1080, MA1050 feels faster but I haven't measured it. Riding the SF1080 made me smile 
Select to expand quoteTice said..
Earlier with SF1080, MA1050 feels faster but I haven't measured it. Riding the SF1080 made me smile
Thanks sounds good!!
Super curious to hear whenever someone has ridden both the new North HA foils (1050, 1150, the new SF?), and the new Cabrinha H-1050.
It sounds like the H-1050 might have more low end lift, and lower stall speed?
I'm 75kg and trying to figure out which of these would be best to get me up in light wind and milk power from small wind chop for max downwind surfing with the wing luffed.
The only similar-ish foil I've ridden is the Lift 200 HA. I was able to get pretty long downwind rides on it, surfing bumps, but would be great to have more glide, speed, and "small swell milking ability" if such a foil exists.
Any thoughts to help in this search would be helpful.
I just tried my new MA1050 and think it is quite good, pretty fast, come from SAB W799. With this I had the impression I could do 360s and jumps better, but may be a bit too early to judge after 1 day. Also conditions, choppy water, were not so easy.
Btw any suggestion for a wing for freestyle, low level like 360s backwind riding, easy jumps?
Just had my 4th session on the HA1050 and I really start loving it ! It fast, accelerates, can easily go into downwind glide mode. Pumping is easy .. just small pumps and you extend flight and glide easily. And it turns quite well. Turns as good a my previous Sabfoil w999, w945 wings only this wing has more speed and more glide. Getting going getting easier too... I finally understood the front foot pumping with HA wings.
The thing I find amusing is how breach proof this wing is. It doesn't creep up and breaches. It stays under water near the surface almost on auto pilot.
I admit this is the first time I have a fuse that has the stab mounted on top , instead of bottom of the fuse, and I believe this explains why the foil is early self leveling (can anyone confirm?)
Anyways helluva session and happy customer here! Super happy with my choice thus far!
Ps. I won't be posting after every session
how do you compare it with the SAB 945?
that is my current go to foil.
And what is your top speed with the HA1050?with the SAB 945 I easily reach 16 - 17kn but getting faster is currently what i'm looking for.
19kn is my current top speed.
But it feels that the SAB has much drag.
personal goal is 30kn, but I think for this I need a 500er foil :D
Select to expand quoteWST said..
how do you compare it with the SAB 945?
that is my current go to foil.
And what is your top speed with the HA1050?with the SAB 945 I easily reach 16 - 17kn but getting faster is currently what i'm looking for.
19kn is my current top speed.
But it feels that the SAB has much drag.
personal goal is 30kn, but I think for this I need a 500er foil :D
I easily reach 16-17 kts. But I ride strapless and there is definitely more in the bag if with straps.
Compared with 945:
- bigger wingspan
- less chord
- thinner profile
The 945 allows for slower surfier use on windswell , but has less glide. The 1050 can turn and surf too but feels a bit fast for it. It likes to live in a faster window .
1050 easier to get going, more glide, much better pumping, it turns really well ( certainly not worse than 945 which maybe has more turning potential)
I think the bigger overall sensation is that the 1050 + north sonar full carbon fuse + 85 mast is more fun! The mast fuse is very stiff and you just feel every vibration in the water. Translates direct. HA also make for a more super sensitive experience.
With the sab kraken.. I don't know.. ( never saw the logic of that system .. ) it never felt that stiff. But mind you I went from 93 sab carbon mast to 85 north carbon. So naturally the shorter mast will be stiffer, but I think the different concept also helps.
That sounds very interesting to me. thanks a lot.surfier I don't need it. 90% of my sessions are on my lake, with no waves. If there are waves then there is also strong wind.
and as it's gusty.
easier get going, longer glide is what I need here. and for sure top speed and less drag for the winter sessions.
I have the 83 Sab carbon Mast and besides motorboat engines or the rare other foils, I don't feel any turbulence in the water.
With my old 82cm 2020-gen Sab carbon mast, I usually had vibrations once the speed gets higher than 22km/h but only very little and not all the time.
so I think I shouldn't have problems with the stiffness, also maybe in case I would go for North, I would take the aluminum mast.
From price and weight, using the carbon fuse is good, but the carbon mast is too expensive for the little weight difference.
The gain of the Carbon mast isnt in its weight but its profile.Its thinner and feels noticable faster then the aloy one, probably due the profile.The aloy is still a pretty good mast, but feels draggy once you used the carbon one.
The North frontwinghs I did tried didnt suit me as well as Cabrinha does, but feels better as all the SABs I used to have before and the mast/fuse from North are really really solid. They have everything to become a true an absolute topcontender.
Select to expand quoteJeroensurf said..
The gain of the Carbon mast isnt in its weight but its profile.Its thinner and feels noticable faster then the aloy one, probably due the profile.The aloy is still a pretty good mast, but feels draggy once you used the carbon one.
The North frontwinghs I did tried didnt suit me as well as Cabrinha does, but feels better as all the SABs I used to have before and the mast/fuse from North are really really solid. They have everything to become a true an absolute topcontender.
I'd second that observation. It's indeed the tapering off profile of the carbon mast Vs the alu. Gunnar B commented on the alu as being very stiff and more bombproof than the carbon. But indeed the profiles are different. But as the system is modular and will remain so (they keep repeating this) a later upgrade to carbon is easy.
I saw Rob Von Piros doing a nice feature (basically a good twist n wiggle... and a giggle) on the North mast stiffness.. cannot seem to find it anymore
EDIT found it: if this doesn't convince you
www.instagram.com/reel/CqKmIpoNbSs/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Rob: has anyone responded to your challenge?
Select to expand quoteMProject04 said..Jeroensurf said..
The gain of the Carbon mast isnt in its weight but its profile.Its thinner and feels noticable faster then the aloy one, probably due the profile.The aloy is still a pretty good mast, but feels draggy once you used the carbon one.
The North frontwinghs I did tried didnt suit me as well as Cabrinha does, but feels better as all the SABs I used to have before and the mast/fuse from North are really really solid. They have everything to become a true an absolute topcontender.
I'd second that observation. It's indeed the tapering off profile of the carbon mast Vs the alu. Gunnar B commented on the alu as being very stiff and more bombproof than the carbon. But indeed the profiles are different. But as the system is modular and will remain so (they keep repeating this) a later upgrade to carbon is easy.
I saw Rob Von Piros doing a nice feature (basically a good twist n wiggle... and a giggle) on the North mast stiffness.. cannot seem to find it anymore
EDIT found it: if this doesn't convince you
www.instagram.com/reel/CqKmIpoNbSs/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Rob: has anyone responded to your challenge?
Rob's just a salesman for surffx who changes foils way too regularly to be getting it correct.
lots of connections so let's see how they do with use as it not just about the mast and north are just another big company like cabrinah trying to get your dollars. Cabrinah designed a good foil but time seems to tell us they got the rest of the solution very ordinary.
it would be good to get some critical reviewers that give us an idea of the quality and its durability as most companies have well performing foils but are failing in this aspect.
Select to expand quoteAnyBoard said..MProject04 said..Jeroensurf said..
The gain of the Carbon mast isnt in its weight but its profile.Its thinner and feels noticable faster then the aloy one, probably due the profile.The aloy is still a pretty good mast, but feels draggy once you used the carbon one.
The North frontwinghs I did tried didnt suit me as well as Cabrinha does, but feels better as all the SABs I used to have before and the mast/fuse from North are really really solid. They have everything to become a true an absolute topcontender.
I'd second that observation. It's indeed the tapering off profile of the carbon mast Vs the alu. Gunnar B commented on the alu as being very stiff and more bombproof than the carbon. But indeed the profiles are different. But as the system is modular and will remain so (they keep repeating this) a later upgrade to carbon is easy.
I saw Rob Von Piros doing a nice feature (basically a good twist n wiggle... and a giggle) on the North mast stiffness.. cannot seem to find it anymore
EDIT found it: if this doesn't convince you
www.instagram.com/reel/CqKmIpoNbSs/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Rob: has anyone responded to your challenge?
Rob's just a salesman for surffx who changes foils way too regularly to be getting it correct.
lots of connections so let's see how they do with use as it not just about the mast and north are just another big company like cabrinah trying to get your dollars. Cabrinah designed a good foil but time seems to tell us they got the rest of the solution very ordinary.
it would be good to get some critical reviewers that give us an idea of the quality and its durability as most companies have well performing foils but are failing in this aspect.
As an average 'early adopter' wingfoiler (and definitely not a sales guy or distributor) whose had 3 previous foils (NP alu, AFS full carbon, Sabfoil kraken hybrid carbon) I can attest that the quality (of the finished product) is impressive. QC is definitely part of the North dictionary!
As for durability.. I can't comment too much yet, except that I like the M8 screws and the conical mast to fuse connection which since 2021 has remained unchanged. They didn't have to update the 2023 edition with a side screw like Cabrinha or even Armstrong (but that was fuse to fw)
Perhaps I would have preferred an axis style fuse to front wing connection , but I guess the M8 screws are doing the work.
Tucker (another sales man but so far reliable.. for me at least) did comment on wear at the conical mast fuse connection, in that the mast over time may just sit a point-something of a mm deeper but never less snug.
But once again can't comment too much on durability. But quality.. critically definitely yes.
Before choosing the sonar I did loads of research and came everytime back to North. Price was definitely an important factor (I'm Dutch.. keep simple and straightforward and no unneeded bells and whistles) . Nearly went Cab 2022 until I saw their 2023 update of the fuse.
Hoping the 2024 North fuse remains the same which will be a positive indicator of durability
First session on the newly arrived North gear - CF 85 and HA1050! paired with a 5m wing, in about 5-6m/s steady winds with gusts up to 7-8m/s.
Unboxing last night, everything was in mint condition. Really nice build quality. The weight - compared to my Sabfoil 82 mast (which, admittedly, was already a few years old) is so much lighter! Combined with the carbon fuse, the weight of the whole foil is noticeably light - and I could feel it walking to the beach with the board, not a lot of swing weight at all (a welcome thing, given the H1050 is really long and could scratch a rock or two on the ground while walking, if you're not careful).
Just a minor quibble - tightening of the screws first time was a pain however, took some real grease and elbow grease to get it done. In my opinion, the tool provided is too small and doesn't provide enough torque. Coming from windsurfing, Severne's use of hex screws gives the best hold, in my opinion.
First session on the water today, in light winds and marginal conditions. Got going for about 30 minutes. First time on a high aspect too. It seems to need a different technique - and more board speed - to get going. Popping the board up at a higher angle by stomping on the back foot doesn't seem to work. I feel its more like x-country skiing, where you have to push through your front toes to get some glide (winter sports people will know what I mean ).
Once up on foil, I felt it needed a sustained source of power to keep going - but still the stall speed was quite low, in my opinion. I was surprised I didn't drop off foil at some points in my gybes.
What's clear to me is I need to up my game on pitch control - one false move and the foil nose-dives!
Regarding the HA1050, it feels ultra manoueverable. I'm coming from the Sabfoil 799 freestyle wing (supposed to be very tight turns etc) and honestly this feels like it can turn pretty well for its size, and perhaps even just as good. Maybe I'm imagining things but it seems crazy turny for its size.
Through the water, it feels slippery - and fast. I'm definitely upgrading to a hook and harness to take it easier on the arms.
Honestly, regarding the glide however - I wasn't feeling it. I need to work on that more next time.
Cold waters here in Norway but sunny today, can't wait for my next (2nd) session on the water with this thing.
Select to expand quoteWindyBear
Just a minor quibble - tightening of the screws first time was a pain however, took some real grease and elbow grease to get it done. In my opinion, the tool provided is too small and doesn't provide enough torque. Coming from windsurfing, Severne's use of hex screws gives the best hold, in my opinion.
The included tool was a beef for me too. Picked up a T handle tool and no longer an issue!
looks good, @live2play. Will try to find one, or better, 3d print it on my machine :)
Any advice for stabilizers? I have the 270. If I like a smaler one, should I go for 210 or 208?
Thanks
Axel
First wing session on the north solar system and the sf930 at the weekend and it didn't disappoint 
Incredible low end, super easy to get going, then you can nearly stop it and pump it back! Good top end too but I imagine the HA front wings are faster (haven't got one yet!)
Really really user friendly, just a joy to ride, was making me laugh out loud. Only had small wind swell but it glided and carved well, so looking forward to better conditions to try it more.
Select to expand quoteUisceBeatha said..
First wing session on the north solar system and the sf930 at the weekend and it didn't disappoint Incredible low end, super easy to get going, then you can nearly stop it and pump it back! Good top end too but I imagine the HA front wings are faster (haven't got one yet!)
Really really user friendly, just a joy to ride, was making me laugh out loud. Only had small wind swell but it glided and carved well, so looking forward to better conditions to try it more.
What stabilizer did you use?
Select to expand quoteUisceBeatha said..
First wing session on the north solar system and the sf930 at the weekend and it didn't disappoint Incredible low end, super easy to get going, then you can nearly stop it and pump it back! Good top end too but I imagine the HA front wings are faster (haven't got one yet!)
Really really user friendly, just a joy to ride, was making me laugh out loud. Only had small wind swell but it glided and carved well, so looking forward to better conditions to try it more.
Sweeeeeet!!!!! Glad I am not the only one sitting on a heap of happiness Congrats on the new foil! And isn't the foil bag and all padding, and finishing not amazing!? Real bang for the buck!
