UisceBeatha said..

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 - it's ostes great.

I posted on here twice over the last year my desire for a UHM 72. I'm totally stoked.

Hello my level is beginner/medium
I would like to ask you for North front Wing and Mast to buy
I weigh 80kg in my home spot there are 8-10 knots.
I currently have RRD Beluga 108L and Foil Gong X-over XXL
I'm learning the jibe
I would like some equipment to go out with 8-10 knots, up to 15-16.
Can I use only one front Wing or do I have to take two?
What do you recommend for the light Wing?
Mast CF or UHM?
S270 stabilizer is okay?
I love free-ride, no jump.

MProject04 said..

neorunner9 said..
Hello my level is beginner/medium
I would like to ask you for North front Wing and Mast to buy
I weigh 80kg in my home spot there are 8-10 knots.
I currently have RRD Beluga 108L and Foil Gong X-over XXL
I'm learning the jibe
I would like some equipment to go out with 8-10 knots, up to 15-16.
Can I use only one front Wing or do I have to take two?
What do you recommend for the light Wing?
Mast CF or UHM?
S270 stabilizer is okay?
I love free-ride, no jump.

You don't need UHM for now

I don't know if any wingers need uhm!

Cannot recommend the MA850v2 enough. Still my favorite foil today. Tried the SF680 also, but for my style it just can't beat the MA850v2, wich is much faster and has better pop for jumping. I tested the SF 680 and the MA850v2 in Greece and i didn't notice any improvement in glide. That is probably because i was using the S178 stab. Like i said, MA, much faster.

I also use the MA1050v2 + S208 as my light wind setup, perfect. Easier up, more stable but a lot less fast. You can't go wrong on the MAv2 series.

StanDingup said..

neorunner9 said..
Hello my level is beginner/medium
I would like to ask you for North front Wing and Mast to buy
I weigh 80kg in my home spot there are 8-10 knots.
I currently have RRD Beluga 108L and Foil Gong X-over XXL
I'm learning the jibe
I would like some equipment to go out with 8-10 knots, up to 15-16.
Can I use only one front Wing or do I have to take two?
What do you recommend for the light Wing?
Mast CF or UHM?
S270 stabilizer is okay?
I love free-ride, no jump.

As above, I'd forget UHM. Your choice is more the alumin(i)um AF series or the carbon CF series. Parts are interchangeable but you are better off buying the mast/fuse/S270 stab set as a full kit. You also get a nice bag with it as well..! Really comes down to available funds which of the 2 to go for but if you can stretch to the CF set then you may save money in the long term by not having to upgrade down the line.
6
I'd probably recommend the CF85 mast for an intermediate winger with the C700 fuse.

Then the biggest choice, what front foil. MAv2 series is a great all rounder. I had the 1500 as I learned to gybe, then added the 1050 and the 850 as my confidence progressed. For their size the MAv2 series is very easy to use and forgiving. Great review here by @MeonAsh:

-rJR5LE7wG8XV

I've recently started using the SF930 which I'm also loving so the SF series could also be an option to consider but I think the 1230 is the biggest they do so you may want to stick with the MAv2 if you want bigger. SF glides better than the MAv2 and has a slower stall speed/earlier take off but the MAv2 is faster and easier to get used to.
Depending where you are, there is generally a decent second hand market for North foils so you may be able to pick up and sell on foils as you progress.

Finally, the S270 fuse is fine but not outstanding. If you are looking for a mid size MAv2 then the S270 is perfect. Used it with my MAv2 1500 and when first getting used to the MAv2 1050. Once you're used to the set up you can consider adding extra stabs suitable for what you need. For me, I added the S210 to work with the MAv2 1050/850 and the S215 to work with the SF930.

Hope that helps.

Thank you all for the advice
At this point I will take cf85 and mav2 1500 and then 1050
I didn't know that the front Wing in Prime Pre-Preg E-glass Construction is compatible with Mast and fuselages carbon .
The mav2 1500 is okay with 8-10 knots?
Here in Italy, Foil North is not very diffuse.

neorunner9 said..

StanDingup said..

neorunner9 said..
Hello my level is beginner/medium
I would like to ask you for North front Wing and Mast to buy
I weigh 80kg in my home spot there are 8-10 knots.
I currently have RRD Beluga 108L and Foil Gong X-over XXL
I'm learning the jibe
I would like some equipment to go out with 8-10 knots, up to 15-16.
Can I use only one front Wing or do I have to take two?
What do you recommend for the light Wing?
Mast CF or UHM?
S270 stabilizer is okay?
I love free-ride, no jump.

As above, I'd forget UHM. Your choice is more the alumin(i)um AF series or the carbon CF series. Parts are interchangeable but you are better off buying the mast/fuse/S270 stab set as a full kit. You also get a nice bag with it as well..! Really comes down to available funds which of the 2 to go for but if you can stretch to the CF set then you may save money in the long term by not having to upgrade down the line.
6
I'd probably recommend the CF85 mast for an intermediate winger with the C700 fuse.

Then the biggest choice, what front foil. MAv2 series is a great all rounder. I had the 1500 as I learned to gybe, then added the 1050 and the 850 as my confidence progressed. For their size the MAv2 series is very easy to use and forgiving. Great review here by @MeonAsh:

-rJR5LE7wG8XV

I've recently started using the SF930 which I'm also loving so the SF series could also be an option to consider but I think the 1230 is the biggest they do so you may want to stick with the MAv2 if you want bigger. SF glides better than the MAv2 and has a slower stall speed/earlier take off but the MAv2 is faster and easier to get used to.
Depending where you are, there is generally a decent second hand market for North foils so you may be able to pick up and sell on foils as you progress.

Finally, the S270 fuse is fine but not outstanding. If you are looking for a mid size MAv2 then the S270 is perfect. Used it with my MAv2 1500 and when first getting used to the MAv2 1050. Once you're used to the set up you can consider adding extra stabs suitable for what you need. For me, I added the S210 to work with the MAv2 1050/850 and the S215 to work with the SF930.

Hope that helps.

Thank you all for the advice
At this point I will take cf85 and mav2 1500 and then 1050
I didn't know that the front Wing in Prime Pre-Preg E-glass Construction is compatible with Mast and fuselages carbon .
The mav2 1500 is okay with 8-10 knots?
Here in Italy, Foil North is not very diffuse.

Here in Italy, actually North is very very popular. You can find a lot of stuff used actually.

I would stay away from the MAv2 in smaller sizes.
If you already closed some jibes, get directly the SF1230, it will give that little more glide which will help you completing maneuvers.
Also the stall speed on the SF is lower than the MAv2.

if you need anything specific used send me a PM, here at my local beach spot a lot of people do ride North and they buy/sell gear often.

Shlogger said..
Finally got two sessions in on the North DW820. In summation, performs as advertised. Conditions were bottom end 10-15G17, knee to thigh high rolling bay chop. I breached the tips on purpose and it stayed rock solid, cruised till it dropped, pretty low stall speed. Cruising speed faster than DW1100 and it def has another gear without feeling foot pressure. Couples w the 142 stab nicely. Def a foil aimed at Open Ocean, Island Trades, Gorge or SF Bay Area w faster moving bumps.

I agree with you. The DW820/S142 is a glide machine. I'm currently using the DW1100/S192 in small waves and/or light wind, and the DW820/s142 when there's a bit more punch (16 knots+) or when the waves get too fast for the DW1100. It also works great for parawinging. I haven't used my SF wings for months. Strange that North hasn't lifted a finger to promote these wings better when they're this good!

Hi,

What Is the front Wing that you suggest me to buy as a light Wing machine combined with a long (7') and narrow board? My First idea Is SF1230 but I'm open to your ideas. The purpose Is to start in the most marginal conditions.

Fabrizio

MProject04 said..

Fabrizio said..
Hi,

What Is the front Wing that you suggest me to buy as a light Wing machine combined with a long (7') and narrow board? My First idea Is SF1230 but I'm open to your ideas. The purpose Is to start in the most marginal conditions.

Fabrizio

The DW1400 got me going in complete no wind ...but it turned like ****!

Then I tried a KT atlas 960.. less span and it got me going in even less wind and turned beautifully!

Maybe the DW1100? The SF1080 was nice for light wind but needed more wind than the DW1400. I guess the SF1280 comes close.

Hard choice!

Thanks I'll wait for direct feedback of SF1230 with a light Wind board

The SF1230 is not efficient for light wind. It's thick and quite inefficient.

The DW fronts are very technical, they are affected by current and white water.

The Dw1400 is not something I recommend for winging as turning is really hard.

The DW1100 is slight better. From the DW900 they start to be nice but unless you are a lightweight it might be too small to get you going in sub 10kt.

As other people as suggested you might have to look elsewhere.

The KT Atlas in my humble opinion is the foil of the year. The 1130 Atlas is so efficient and turns real well. It's miles ahead of the competition this year. Only CODE FOILS are up there in the same league as the new KT.

North unfortunately was left behind. The SF are over 2yrs old, the HA even older and very user unfriendly. They need a major revamp to compete with the new generation foils of KT, Code and the new Cabrinha

SlowlyButSurely said..
The SF1230 is not efficient for light wind. It's thick and quite inefficient.

The DW fronts are very technical, they are affected by current and white water.

The Dw1400 is not something I recommend for winging as turning is really hard.

The DW1100 is slight better. From the DW900 they start to be nice but unless you are a lightweight it might be too small to get you going in sub 10kt.

As other people as suggested you might have to look elsewhere.

The KT Atlas in my humble opinion is the foil of the year. The 1130 Atlas is so efficient and turns real well. It's miles ahead of the competition this year. Only CODE FOILS are up there in the same league as the new KT.

North unfortunately was left behind. The SF are over 2yrs old, the HA even older and very user unfriendly. They need a major revamp to compete with the new generation foils of KT, Code and the new Cabrinha

I've got to disagree. I've ridden in the SF back to back with the nomad and I really prefer the SF for better turning. I feel like it's fairly hard to do direct comparisons because north went with such a radically different direction on the aspect ratios and sizing.
I mean that 1200 has to be a dog at that area and width! I mean Jesus if that's the one you have feedback on and your comparing it to other brands new hotness there's your issue. And you're comparing it to the atlas! LOL.

i haven't touched something that rides better than the 680. Pound for pound it's one of the best foils out there. It's my ok to good surf foil and all the time wing foil and the 930 is my groveler surf foil although I feel like I could get by on the 830 no problem.

The Sf1080 /s192 got me going in 10-12 knots with a 4.5 wing and is a fun foil . Learnt to downwind parawing on this one and got over 2 minutes of foil time without any wing or parawing support - a major milestone for me. If you have a downwind board I really don't think you need to go bigger than a 1000cm size unless you want to ride a tiny board or tiny inflatable wing . the sf830 is a great wing and has 'decent' glide. But let's face it the foils were originally designed for waves/surf and subsequently downwinding came along as a trend and North added some wording on their website that these foils were good to explore/start with downwinding. Fair enough . They are indeed good enough to start out.

My DW series experience is limited but the dw1400 is a beast to turn. Based on that experience AND the fact that the level of info on these DW foils is highly limited apart from very few influencers I decided to get another wing from another brand to replace the sf1080 (AfS enduro). Unless I get to test a DW wing in smaller sizes I am not investing more in this series.

I agree that North is behind other brands in responding to a need/trend of the market to provide something in between a downwind dedicated foil and a surf foil. I am talking about these foils: the f-one momentum, the KT atlas, the AfS enduro. Maybe there are others? I would class the Code S and R series still within a dedicated surf and downwind camp rather than a hybrid foils like the previous ones mentioned .

still, the North foils are user-friendly and serve a mass market appeal. Their price point is great to start out and perhaps for a majority of people's weeekend warrior needs they suit the job just fine. I just don't expect them to be cutting edge at all in foil design from what we have seen being released over the last year. But there is also nothing wrong in being 'timeless' and maybe their wing ranges (sf, Ma) will stand the test of time? (I am NOT talking of the DW series here haha)

talking of cutting edge my new AfS enduro wings are crazy sharp . The whole setup looks a lot less draggy and faster than both the SF and DW wings. I am considering investing in a tourniquet however!
even if I can't test comparable sizes I hope to report back on performance of sf 830 vs AfS enduro 1000 soon.

StanDingup said..
Review of the DW900. Sounds interesting...

Great to see the DW series getting a bit more exposure! Definitely needed and also great it's being compared to other brands. Would be great to see a comprehensive brand test like we have seen for parawinging: www.theinertia.com/gear/best-parawings/

the Windsurf Magazing (R.I.P) did great tests across brands although they were always careful to not offend any one brand so you had to read between the lines to understand if a board was liked or not.
Maybe something for the Foiling Magazine to take on?

TuberiderG said..
Any new rumors about an upgrade to the SF foils?
Only the SF1230 is still listed on the North website... - Is this a website issue, or has the rest already been sold?

No new sizes or refresh for the SF line for the upcoming year

WindyBear said..

TuberiderG said..
Any new rumors about an upgrade to the SF foils?
Only the SF1230 is still listed on the North website... - Is this a website issue, or has the rest already been sold?

FYI , heard it from a friend who listened to GFp podcast Xmas edition and now found this:

Mike Raper leaving the brand : www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/291890/Official-statement-from-Mike-Raper

Most brands have recognizable people behind it and Mike has been working hard to gain visibility for North across many channels recently. Who is going to step in? Seems like a big loss for the brand IMO.

A tip of the hat to Mike, he was passionate and driven and was a huge part of their success. But going that hard, that long I'm sure also came w quite a bit of stress and sacrifice. Wishing him the best.