How good is the new North Sonar?

Thanks so much for the great info - I've been struggling to find a resource online specific to North feedback. I've been prone riding the 2022 1450 and 1250 + in very small conditions but I tend to favour the 1450 with S270 stab over the 1250. I do find myself struggling to pump the 1450 for more than 30 secs and although I'm sure my technique isn't perfect, I am wondering if there are better setups for me. The new SF1230 with the recommended tail may be better suited for me given what I've read on here. To make things even more complicated, I also just purchased an Armstrong Downwind board with the intention of using my North gear but I have no idea what would be recommended from the North Lineup for Downwinding (not ocean, just lake and bay runs). Any input would be greatly appreciated!

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youdigsurf said..
I did the quiz on their website and for downwind they recommend ha1250 for 85kg

northkb.com/pages/find-your-front-wing

Thanks! The quiz says I should go with the HA1050 based on my weight, but I'm concerned the new HA wings need quite a bit of speed to get going and may not be suitable for downwind paddle-ups.

The front wing fixing doesn't look too inspiring. Three bolts in a row and no socket.

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GasHazard said..
The front wing fixing doesn't look too inspiring. Three bolts in a row and no socket.

That was my first thought too. But even my 120cm Span HA 1450 has a solid connection......strong enough for my taste (with 90 kg). And i am coming from two brands using sockets: With each i had broken 1m plus frontwings at that socket. Depending on the system, sockets could thighten the connection but also weaken the frontwing.

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WST said..

GasHazard said..
The front wing fixing doesn't look too inspiring. Three bolts in a row and no socket.

Do you mean a socket inside the front wing?haven't seen that yet. I thought that all front wings just have holes and the sockets are in the fuse?besides Armstrong, whereas I know you have a socket on the bottom and the screw from the top.
Or what did you mean?

A socket is a hole made to suit a projection but I used it as code for any geometric built in gripping like a mortise and tenon or sim. The Axis system has a spread nose with 2 screws to resist torsion plus 2 more screws in line with the fuse and a curved meeting face. Not a socket but more substantial than the North.

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SaCdn said..
Thanks so much for the great info - I've been struggling to find a resource online specific to North feedback. I've been prone riding the 2022 1450 and 1250 + in very small conditions but I tend to favour the 1450 with S270 stab over the 1250. I do find myself struggling to pump the 1450 for more than 30 secs and although I'm sure my technique isn't perfect, I am wondering if there are better setups for me. The new SF1230 with the recommended tail may be better suited for me given what I've read on here. To make things even more complicated, I also just purchased an Armstrong Downwind board with the intention of using my North gear but I have no idea what would be recommended from the North Lineup for Downwinding (not ocean, just lake and bay runs). Any input would be greatly appreciated!

@SaCdn - hit up Dylan at www.instagram.com/kitepuertorico/ - he's started his DW journey on North gear. I think he started with the 2200R - then HA1450 (v2?) - now he seems to be on SF1230/S215. Ask him, pick his brain, he's very good about getting back to people.

I'm beginner with seek v2 5.1 / Fone cwc v3 8m / r2200 +320 stab. I'm looking for upgrade for light wind days. 8-15 knots. Which one is more suitable ma1200 / ha1250 / sf1250 ? Seems like sf is combination ma with ha = glide + Lower stall speed. I'm not sure but seems like r2200 has a lot of drag in light wind. As soon wind hit 13+ knots it's working pretty good. Definitely my level is low, but just curious about different options. Located in Miami so not a high wind zone.

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ganeshka said..
I'm beginner with seek v2 5.1 / Fone cwc v3 8m / r2200 +320 stab. I'm looking for upgrade for light wind days. 8-15 knots. Which one is more suitable ma1200 / ha1250 / sf1250 ? Seems like sf is combination ma with ha = glide + Lower stall speed. I'm not sure but seems like r2200 has a lot of drag in light wind. As soon wind hit 13+ knots it's working pretty good. Definitely my level is low, but just curious about different options. Located in Miami so not a high wind zone.

Yep SF1250 will get up the easiest. I have the SF1080 and can get it up in almost 8knots with 6.0 North Light Wind. It's got very low stall speed (u can just about stop) but I've still pushed it to 18knots and has velvety smooth pump n glide feel plus quite loose in turns. I run this for downwind swellride sessions (even in 30-40knots yesterday) but then use the MA1050 as fast versatile wing when I want speed, jumps and manoeuvres. I've now added the HA650 which had first proper go on today. Took me well powered 4.2 mode to get up (prob 20knots and I'm 85kg) and need a light and smooth technique with the feet (not heavy pumping) to build speed first. It then has incredibly exhilarating ride, very fast and nimble but have to keep power and speed up. Really good for building technique holding high speed all the time even in gybes and tacks. It then held speed very well into some pretty big lulls. Looking forward to trying this small ha650 some more.

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Tangur said..
Here's one more clip of the SF1230 in action.
If it performs this well dockstarting and wakefoiling behind such a small wake, I am not too worried about riding it winging even in light wind conditions and with heavier riders.

www.instagram.com/p/CtsL9sgPMtW/

If someone is a **complete newbie** at dockstarting / pumpfoil is the SF the wing to go? 1230 seems too small for a beginners setup? Or is there some other magic to it?

@airsail I'm 6' - 78 kg without a wetsuit on. So you're complimenting me by saying I'm super light weight ??

@MProject04 it's not a beginner dockstart wing, but it is doable to learn on it. I learned on a HA1450 V1 and it has a marginally lower stall speed than the SF1230.
However the SFs have a pretty thick foil section and that results in very low low end. I can dockstart the SF930 and wouldn't have thought it possible.
If you're below 85 kg, I say that the SF1230 can be your first foil to dockstart on given the current offering from North and if you want to stick with them for dockstarts. There will be a low aspect 1850cm and a 2100cm coming out at the end of the summer however.


www.instagram.com/reel/Cst4MG7uLkj/?igshid=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==

@airsail HA850 is my go-to for everything from light wind to overhead swell. Super well balanced, low stall speed, turns well, good glide, good pumpability, accelerates well to connect bumps. I tried the SF930/S215 in shoulder to overhead swell in 30 knts and was surprised by how well it behaved. No excessive front foot pressure despite dropping straight down the swells, very very difficult to overfoil and breach, very forgiven in that respect, turned well, very carvy. However, it wasn't fast enough to stay with the fast river swell or connect with them when pumping, that's where the HA850 shines. (or HA650).

But I was surprised by how easy the SF930 was to ride even in big conditions. It's like having ABS, traction control and a bunch of other driver aids on, it's very forgiving.

So my feeling is that the SF930 is a good wing for below waist high fast river swell or slower shoulder/overhead ocean swell if winging or proning.

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lenzilot said..
Best Stab for MA1350 and MA1050:
Hello there, as I'm getting more used to my MA Frontwings and I really do like them, I wonder, if I could improofe my speed by changing my stab from 210 to 208 or even 178. But they are developed for the HA Frontwings, so I 'm not sure if they fit...
Any experience?
Regards Axel

I've done a lot of switching back and forth w HA1250 and SF1080 using the 208 and the 210. It's pretty consistent w both foils and the 208 adds another 1.5 knots for top speeds on both foils. It's also super loose. I pretty much use the 208 most of the time and the 210 or 215 only when it's super light wind and I want a little more lift. Have fun.

I now used the HA850 for the first time. We had wind from 17 to 27kn the first day and
12 to 16kn on the second.

On the first day, I used it with the S270.
it needs a bit more speed( so longer gusts) for starting, but once up, it's incredible (ok first time riding such small foil and coming from Sabfoils). It accelerates very well. Even it was the first time, I set a new personal top speed of 20.19kn for 10s. And why I didn't get faster: there was no more lake left :D

In the turns, it felt super agil, like my Sab 945 before,

On the second day, I used it with the S178.
I reached a similar top speed, even more on the longer runs: 16.39kn on 1NM.
I didn't have the right position on my board yet, as I crashed at 19 20kn sometimes when I over foiled because of the 80cm chop/waves when going for speed. There was no front pressure as I had this at a much lower speed with the Sabfoils, but somehow it was a bit tricky for me with the chop, as I wanted to go fast and went too short below the waterline, while when I overtook the wave there was no more water...

The only difference between the S270 and S178 in these first two sessions for me was the acceleration. With the S178 I reached higher cruising speeds a bit faster (all GPS analyzed, with voice speed feedback while sailing)

so let's see what comes, once I have fined tuned it :)

So ... I am still with the original 1050HA + s270 setup. I am pretty happy and still impressed by the amazing pump n glide. Also the turning ability. The 1050 has a great low end too but it's limited to 10kts for me.

I want to get a better low end (8-10kts). Which route is best?
-1450HA (2023)?
-SF1080 or SF1230?

For full context: I am 75kg, 80L board, biggest wing a Nova V3 6.0. I ride on mostly flat lakes, which gets bumps in hi winds.

I am leaning towards the 1450HA since it works with S270 too and maybe I can use it with a future dw board?

What do you more experienced Sonar riders think? Thanks!

Edit: with its 120cm span.. is the 1450HA a similar wing like e.g Gong Sirus L/XL?

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live2play said..
Anyone know which line up (HA or SF) would be better to learn dock starting and pumping?

SF1230 hands down with the S215 tail.