I normally wing a Vert 25L or 30L.
For PWing, I've been learning on a Midi 60 L.
SF830 for light wind, SF680 for stronger wind/bigger swell. C650 for extra pitch stability + S122
I tried the SF530, but the waves didn't have any lift to them to stay on foil without working hard.

I also tried the DW690/750, both are easy for mellow rides, longboard style, without hard tight turns, but if you want to crank hard, the SF turn better and breach better.

swurfdog said..
Been lurking on here soaking up the info on the North sonar system for last several years. I've been riding Ma 850 and Ha1050 w/ 208 tail on my Omen Flux 60. My home spot is Washoe Lake, NV. Just returned from a weekend trip to the Delta in Northern California, including some really fun swell riding on the morning ebb tide. Hoping to get a little more glide out of the 850. Would the 178 tail improve glide or do I need to look to the SF series. Appreciate all the experience w/ the north foils here ! - Mike

Hi swurfdog,

The MA series, especially the smaller sizes is not meant for glide, but for speed and for turning hard and narrow radius.You won't get real glide out of it no matter what tail you put on. You'll want a SF if you want low end, pumpability, hard turning, pretty fast speeds and better glide.The best glide will come from the DW series, but at the sacrifice of turning radius and low end.
You'll want a S122/142/192 with your SF series to increase glide and pump vs the S145/185/215

prariefoiler said..
Been riding the North MA1200v2 as my only front wing for over a year now, and really like it (it allowed me to quickly unlock my jibe compare to my slow beginner foil), but I think I am ready for something smaller with more glide and pumpability. I am up in Saskatchewan Canada on inland lakes so good wind is about 40kph, occasionally 50-60, but always gusty. On the right lake with right wind direction we can get wind driven swell in the 2-4 foot range, so there is some opportunity for downwind riding, and maybe next year I'll get a parawing (not in a rush, still much to learn and enjoy on the wing). I have been thinking either the DW1100 or the SF830, or maybe both if they would be a good compliment for different conditions. Looking for advice from those that have a more built out quiver with North foils.

IMO the following ones are the sweet spots in the range if you're average weight - 70-80kg.

Surf: SF830 (SF930 you may pick up second hand - still a great foil)

All Round: MA850

Downwind: DW820

HA range - much trickier to ride so would avoid.

I wouldn't fear stepping down to any of these if you can jibe both sides and are comfortable on flight. S178 second hand is a good stab for all of these and they can be unlocked more with the new smaller stabs.

Even though MA are all round the Surf (SF) range really is all in FUN :-) they glide a bit more, easy to pump and are real user friendly foils.

Fearn13 said..
Hi everyone, I'm new to posting here but I've been reading for a while. I currently ride the SF680 with either the S185 tail or the S142.
At the same time I bought the DW820 and used it for only wing foiling with the S142. But my preference is the SF680. I'm actually thinking of selling the DW820 and possibly also the S142 (If I can pick up the new S145v2 to match the SF680) they're both in perfect condition. I know some people here have said they are struggling to get hold of the DW820, I live in Scotland so if anyone is interested let me know.
Also, has anyone used the SF680 and the SF530 that can compare the 2 for winging? And which stabiliser works best with them?

Thanks!

I saw your ad and facebook and if I had the cash would be interested, alas I do not I ride the SF680 with S145v2 - great setup for ripping turns on swell. Tempted by the SF530 as a high wind wing - I can ride the SF680 in everything and interested in what put you off the DW820?

UisceBeatha said..

Fearn13 said..
Hi everyone, I'm new to posting here but I've been reading for a while. I currently ride the SF680 with either the S185 tail or the S142.
At the same time I bought the DW820 and used it for only wing foiling with the S142. But my preference is the SF680. I'm actually thinking of selling the DW820 and possibly also the S142 (If I can pick up the new S145v2 to match the SF680) they're both in perfect condition. I know some people here have said they are struggling to get hold of the DW820, I live in Scotland so if anyone is interested let me know.
Also, has anyone used the SF680 and the SF530 that can compare the 2 for winging? And which stabiliser works best with them?

Thanks!

I saw your ad and facebook and if I had the cash would be interested, alas I do not I ride the SF680 with S145v2 - great setup for ripping turns on swell. Tempted by the SF530 as a high wind wing - I can ride the SF680 in everything and interested in what put you off the DW820?

Yeah I'm tempted by the S145v2 but not sure how different it would be to the S142.
I wouldn't say I was put off the DW820, it was great. It just feels to me to be a bit specific and would be fantastic for downwinding (as is its purpose) but for most of my riding I just prefered the tighter Turing of the SF680. Since I don't think I'll use it that much I thought it be better going to a good home and I could use the money for other winging gear!

I'd love to hear from other experienced riders who have been using north foils as i'm considering to switch to north:

I'm looking for a setup for Winging, parawing downwinding and dockstarting. i'm pretty experienced in all 3 disciplines. Up to now I'm on gong gear. I'm especially interested in the dw series (1100, 900). How are these for winging? Still fun or to slow? I've dockstarted the 1100 and liked it for pumping. When winging i'm mostly interested in gliding/carving tricks and not jumping. For DW i'm mostly on inland lakes or the meditteranean.
For the people who have tried other brands currently considered top (code, kt, axis, .): would you say the north series can keep up?appreciate any comments / experiences!

zebras said..
I'd love to hear from other experienced riders who have been using north foils as i'm considering to switch to north:

I'm looking for a setup for Winging, parawing downwinding and dockstarting. i'm pretty experienced in all 3 disciplines. Up to now I'm on gong gear. I'm especially interested in the dw series (1100, 900). How are these for winging? Still fun or to slow? I've dockstarted the 1100 and liked it for pumping. When winging i'm mostly interested in gliding/carving tricks and not jumping. For DW i'm mostly on inland lakes or the meditteranean.
For the people who have tried other brands currently considered top (code, kt, axis, .): would you say the north series can keep up?appreciate any comments / experiences!

I've now had 2 sessions winging on the dw1100. Impressions so far are good! I dont have any measured speeds, but it feels faster than the MA1200v2 and MA850v2 i had before yet more controllable at top speed. The low end and glide i found to be very impressive. Again no metrics, but it felt a lot slower than the low end of the MA1200v2. I havent tested it in waves yet, just on flat water in roughly 12-15kts.

I had the 1100 paired with the 192 stab, c650 fuse and 85 hm mast. Board is a 2024 88l seek. I'm around 85kg and havent winged since january. I consider myself intermediate as im foiling 90-95% of my jibes and can foil 80% of my port side tacks. Still working on SB tacks...

Overall the dw1100 felt really easy and intuitive, especially considering my somewhat rusty skills.

Hi North crew, I've bought an sf830 650fuse 185&178tail recently but been having a bit of trouble. Can get going in around 12-13knots on a 75k board and it's fine but pretty loose and I'm not loving it. I can get 60% gybes and some foot swaps but as a comparison I recently rode two mid aspect larger foils (Duotone D-lab carve 1100 and a RRD Blaze 1100) in light wind and was suddenly a pro making all the moves! Should I admit defeat and buy a mid North wing like the MAV2 1050 and a 210 tail? Love some advice! Cheers, Mike

MikeyFoil said..
Hi North crew, I've bought an sf830 650fuse 185&178tail recently but been having a bit of trouble. Can get going in around 12-13knots on a 75k board and it's fine but pretty loose and I'm not loving it. I can get 60% gybes and some foot swaps but as a comparison I recently rode two mid aspect larger foils (Duotone D-lab carve 1100 and a RRD Blaze 1100) in light wind and was suddenly a pro making all the moves! Should I admit defeat and buy a mid North wing like the MAV2 1050 and a 210 tail? Love some advice! Cheers, Mike

Had my first session on exactly the same setup, sf830, s185, c650 and hm85 on a 88l seek. For me it was the other way around coming from the MAv2 (1200 and 850). On the 850 i was crashing all the time and made me feel like a complete kook. The sf830 on the other hand made me feel like i was king of the bay. I was nailing 95% of my jibes and went from only being able to tack consistently one way to both ways and switch tacks as well. Cant speak for the combo with the 178...

Have the SF680 + S178 now tested a couple of days. It is not replacing my all time favorite, 850v2. I like to ride really powered up and push the foil in the upper speed range. The sf680 is creating allot of lift and makes it hard to keep it down in the front foot when really fast. Overal its nice for turning ect. I don't notice that my glide has been improved, but that might just be the s178. Would love to know if another tail would improve above findings. Might test a S145v2 or i swap it for a MA700v2. Its hard to switch from the MAv2 series, as its crazy good for just anything. Especially the smaller ones.

larsdegroot said..
Have the SF680 + S178 now tested a couple of days. It is not replacing my all time favorite, 850v2. I like to ride really powered up and push the foil in the upper speed range. The sf680 is creating allot of lift and makes it hard to keep it down in the front foot when really fast. Overal its nice for turning ect. I don't notice that my glide has been improved, but that might just be the s178. Would love to know if another tail would improve above findings. Might test a S145v2 or i swap it for a MA700v2. Its hard to switch from the MAv2 series, as its crazy good for just anything. Especially the smaller ones.

The S145v2 added lift for me, I needed to move the foil 3 cm forward in the box compared to having the S178 to get comfortable. It does unlock more speed though and I'm defo going faster by a knot or two on average. Its loose too, feels like a carving machine now with the ability to pump out of trouble when you need it. I haven't ridden the MA series so can't compare.

UisceBeatha said..

larsdegroot said..
Have the SF680 + S178 now tested a couple of days. It is not replacing my all time favorite, 850v2. I like to ride really powered up and push the foil in the upper speed range. The sf680 is creating allot of lift and makes it hard to keep it down in the front foot when really fast. Overal its nice for turning ect. I don't notice that my glide has been improved, but that might just be the s178. Would love to know if another tail would improve above findings. Might test a S145v2 or i swap it for a MA700v2. Its hard to switch from the MAv2 series, as its crazy good for just anything. Especially the smaller ones.

The S145v2 added lift for me, I needed to move the foil 3 cm forward in the box compared to having the S178 to get comfortable. It does unlock more speed though and I'm defo going faster by a knot or two on average. Its loose too, feels like a carving machine now with the ability to pump out of trouble when you need it. I haven't ridden the MA series so can't compare.

the stab added lift, yet you moved the mast 3cm forward? does not make sense.

Has there anybody experience with the MA1050v2 in comparison to the sf930 or sf830?
I, 89kg, really love the MA1050V2 with S178 and 600CF in all conditions from 4m-6.5m wing, the only thing I miss is the glide. I wonder, if the SF930 and/ or SF830 offer the same speed?! The glide should be better anyway?!
Thanks for your answer.

zebras said..
I'd love to hear from other experienced riders who have been using north foils as i'm considering to switch to north:

I'm looking for a setup for Winging, parawing downwinding and dockstarting. i'm pretty experienced in all 3 disciplines. Up to now I'm on gong gear. I'm especially interested in the dw series (1100, 900). How are these for winging? Still fun or to slow? I've dockstarted the 1100 and liked it for pumping. When winging i'm mostly interested in gliding/carving tricks and not jumping. For DW i'm mostly on inland lakes or the meditteranean.
For the people who have tried other brands currently considered top (code, kt, axis, .): would you say the north series can keep up?appreciate any comments / experiences!

I've been using North foils for several years now. I have the DW900 and have had some great wing sessions with it - gets up super early and has amazing long glide with very efficient pumping feedback. There are certain sessions I whip it out - they tend to be very cruisy relaxing sessions where can glide on bumps for ages, still getting good turns as well. It really works well once build speed down a bump and hold that speed; it can sometimes feel a little unstable if going slow (say under 13 knots referenced against my apple watch) but if you hold 15knots+ it's great.

Still the majority of sessions I want more of a carvy surfy ride, so I go the SF series. Winging I go either SF830 or SF680. Been parawinging with SF930 and S142 tail. This was a great combo (even w 2 weeks on Maui) as gets up early, forgiving with slow stall speed and great mix of pump'n'glide and carving. I'll now start trying SF830 for parawinging bigger bumps as it's another level of speed and agility over the 930 - and the 680 another level again on the 830 - absolutely amazing if anyone hasn't tried one. Btw just got hooked on the North Midi 96l the last couple of weeks - perfect for parawinging and winging (can get up in 8 knots w sf930 and 4.8 mode pro) - what surprised me was can throw this board around as much as my 60l board.

UisceBeatha said..
Watched this last night:

Liked the look of that surf mast and their new parawing sounds the business.

No new foils in the mix, but agree with Mike and all ye above on the SF series - its great.