Ride more and progress faster on your Sonar Foils with our new lightweight and accessible Foil Drive-powered technology.
North Foils has teamed up with Foil Drive, the inventors of the electric foil assist, in a new collaboration that merges Foil Drive’s leading innovation with North’s performancefocused design. Together, we’ve engineered the Sonar Integrated FD Mast, combining our Sonar AF80 Masts and UHM80 Carbon Masts with Foil Drive technology for reduced drag, improved ride feel, and enhanced efficiency.
“Challenging technologies such as batteries, wireless signals, and propellers require expertise outside our wheelhouse. Our partnership with the market-leading inventors of the electric foil assist maximizes both brands’ design and engineering experience. Paul and his team at Foil Drive are as passionate about Assist as we are about foiling. It’s the perfect match for our customers to explore new horizons and awaken the voyager within.”
– MIKE RAPER, BRAND DIRECTOR
WHY A FOIL ASSIST?
More than a collaboration, the release of the Foil Drive | North Integrated Mast is a pathway for North riders to expand their quiver into something that has until now, been impossible. A combination of high-performance foils and masts with Foil Drive’s cutting-edge assist systems, we’re delivering a seamless blend of power, efficiency, and innovation.
HOW DOES A FOIL DRIVE WORK?
A Foil Drive electronics box is bolted between the board and the mast, with a motor cable running internally through the mast. Motor positions differ depending on the use. Multiple size batteries are available for the electronics box. A hand held, wireless controller completes the setup. The whole assist system can weight as little as 3.75kg (8.2lbs) and is designed to assist your pop-up, then disappear out of the water for free foiling.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR THE RIDER?
• Explore new disciplines
• More time on the water as small conditions are usable
• Learn and Progress easier and faster
• Convert existing gear for flatwater leisure foiling
• Utilise gear for teaching friends and family
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN INTEGRATED MAST?
• Streamlined installation
• Less drag resulting in more efficiency
• Improved rider feeling
• Smoother transition when surface motoring (Motor Pod entering and exiting the water)
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR RETAILERS?
• NEW customer base in the form of those NEW to the sport
• Faster progression through gear and board sizes as riders develop faster
• Transformation of gear into a multi use tool, unlocking new disciplines
• Customers remain active in the sport longer thanks to the physical aid for injuries and age
• Expands ability to ride the entire range of foils that would otherwise be limited by skillset
• Drawing in a captive audience, wanting MORE
• Drawing in more customers looking for Foil Drive who ALSO need foils and boards
WHY FOIL DRIVE?
As the inventors of the Foil Assist, Foil Drive are the leaders of innovation in the category. As foilers themselves, they designed the system to be highly performance-oriented, high quality and backed by incredible support in order to maintain the feeling of traditional foiling as much as possible. They strive to integrate and improve all aspects of Foil Assist with the community at their core.
YOUR SONAR INTEGRATED FD MAST SETUP
Each Sonar Integrated Mast is supplied with a Foil Drive Motor Pre-installed with the cable run internally. The motor is permanently fixed to the mast, and can be paired with your Sonar Foil System and North Foilboards*. The Integrated FD Mast does not include the battery pack. The Foil Drive Gen2 Assist MAX or Slim is sold separately by Foil Drive and is required to operate the system.
Foil Drive Gen2 Kit Assist MAX or Assist Slim
AVAILABLE FROM FOIL DRIVE
HOW MUCH ASSIST DO YOU NEED?
Sonar Integrated FD Mast Foil Assist mast pre-assembled with Foil Drive Motor
AVAILABLE FROM FOIL DRIVE
Front Wing / Fuse / Stab
AVAILABLE FROM NORTH
The Masts have a Foil Drive Motor Pod pre-installed at one of three positions. The greater the distance the motor pod is from your board, the more electric assistance it will provide while you’re foiling. An FDE-FOIL offers a complete E-Foil experience, while an FDA20 and FDA15 will provide speed to lift up onto the foil, and then your foil takes over.
MOTOR POD DISTANCE FROM BASEPLATE 70cm 20cm 15cm
E-FOIL / LEARN-TO-FOIL
ASSISTED PRONE
ASSISTED DOWNWIND
PRODUCT DETAILS
FOIL DRIVE SYSTEM
NORTH SONAR FOIL
SONAR FD MAST
Sonar
TRANSFORM YOUR RIDE
Foil Drive is focused on enhancing traditional foiling. Designed to install onto your existing foil gear, so you can easily transform your North foils into electric assist for all disciplines of foiling.
FOIL DRIVE ASSIST MAX
The flagship Gen2 Foil Drive System with maximum power, runtime, thrust and versatility. Suitable for any rider at any skill level for all types of foiling. North recommends this model.
FOIL DRIVE ASSIST SLIM
Smaller and lighter with a shorter run time, the Assist Slim is designed for performance foiling. It offers enough power for assisted pop-ups, while remaining super compact.
NORTH FOILBOARDS
The new Midi Mid-Length Crossover Foilboard is compatible with Foil Drive’s Foil Assist. North is also developing a tailored Foil Assist Foilboard, due for early MY26 release.
ANY SONAR FRONT WING, FUSE & STAB
By partnering with Foil Drive, we will see more and different types of consumers enter the North Sonar Foils ecosystem, pairing the Sonar AF80 FD mast with a Sonar Front Wing, Fuselage, and Stab.
WHERE TO USE A FOIL DRIVE
While Foil Assist has become its own discipline, the possibilities of where to use a Foil Drive are endless. Alongside each use case, Foil Drive allows the rider to explore new areas, away from crowded locations, foil in more conditions (no need for strong wind or big swell!) and allows riders to progress faster and foil longer.
DOWNWINDING
Downwinding with Foil Drive not only makes the sport more accessible to all abilities, but allows riders to foil on smaller, prone style boards, without the paddle! Other benefits are the ability to motor out to the wind line, motoring back upwind or motoring to shore. This is also a huge safety backup that allows you to get on foil and get back to shore if the wind drops.
SURFING
Motor onto smaller swell than you’d ever get on, or boost around making the swell into a skate park, peeling off and onto waves as you please. Motoring back to the take-off zone or exploring new areas that you would otherwise not be able to get to, or paddle on to. Foil Drive allows you to escape the crowded lineups and turn a session of 5 waves into 30!
WINGING
Half the battle in light wind is bulding enough speed to break surface tensions and get out of the water, Foil Drive does that for you. It allows you to use smaller wings, smaller foils than you would normally use because of this assistance to get up. It’s also a great way to avoid walking back up wind, or paddling in when the wind drops.
FLATWATER PUMPING
Many people use Foil Drive in place of a dock for flatwater pumping. It’s a great way to get up easier, and enjoy your time on foil rather than on a dock. Also a great way to practice technique before heading into the surf or wind.
LEISURE FOILING
Flatwater Foildriving, learning, crusing and exploring. Being able to turn your gear from surf to flatwater is super easy with Foil Drive. Practice your carving and foil control, teach friends or family, it’s a great way to foil.
WAKE FOILING
No longer do you need a boat, 4 people and a bunch of gear to wake foil. Wake thieving is nothing new, but with Foil Drive, the opportunity increases! It’s also a great way to have 8 people behind a boat on a wake, able to get themsleves up, while you still tow traditional foilers.
RECOMMENDED SETUPS
HOW TO PURCHASE
The Sonar Integrated FD Masts and Foil Drive Gen2 Assist / Controller will only be available to purchase from Foil Drive Dealers.
Follow the steps below to become a Foil Drive Dealer and place your orders directly from Foil Drive. Orders can be placed upon becoming an approved Foil Drive dealer, with shipments scheduled for fulfillment in early January.
COMMERCIAL TIMELINES
Stock is available to order now.
A collaborative North | Foil Drive Marketing Campaign is underway. All Marketing assets are available from Foil Drive.
PRICING
Please contact support@foildrive.com for pricing.
HOW TO BECOME A FOIL DRIVE DEALER
Please apply online at https://foildrive.com/pages/enquire-to-become-a-dealer or send an email to support@foildrive.com
Include:
• Subject line: North | Foil Drive Collaboration EOI
• Your company name and location
• If you already have a Foil Drive Account OR you’re interested in creating a new one
If you do not already have a Foil Drive account, you’ll be sent a link to their “New Dealer EOI” page.
When completing the “List any brands you stock” section of the application form, please include: North Foils
