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 are fixed, and use-dependent. 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 AF80 FD Integrated Mast is supplied with a Foil Drive Motor Pre-installed, and the cable run internally. The motor is permanently fixed to the mast, and can be paired with your Sonar Foil System and North Foilboard. The UHM80 FDA18 Mast is supplied without the motor, so if you already own a Foil Drive and your existing motor has a V2 plug with removable cable, you’re good to go. The Integrated FD Masts do not include the Foil Drive Kit or battery. Fusion, MAX or Slim Kits are sold separately by Foil Drive.
AVAILABLE FROM FOIL DRIVE
AVAILABLE FROM NORTH
AVAILABLE FROM FOIL DRIVE
HOW MUCH ASSIST DO YOU NEED?
The Masts have a Motor Pod pre-installed at one of four positions. An FDE-FOIL Mast offers a complete E-Foil experience, while an FDA20, FDA18 and FDA15 Assist Masts will provide speed to lift up onto the foil, and then your foil takes over.
MOTOR POD DISTANCE FROM BASEPLATE
E-FOIL / LEARN-TO-FOIL ASSISTED PRONE ASSISTED DOWNWIND
PRODUCT DETAILS
AF FD MASTS: 1x North Sonar AF80 Foil Drive Integrated Masts with High Power Motor, Motor Installed with Two Blade Propellers, 2x North M8 x 16mm Integrated Mast Bolts, 3x M4 x 10mm Motor Plug Bolts, 1x Mast Cover, 1x Stubby Cooler UHM80 FD18 MAST: 1x Foil Drive Integrated Mast compatible with Foil Drive V2 Motor (sold separately). UHM Mast includes: Pre-installed Puck 1x M5 Split Bolt (secures puck to mast), Integrated Cable, 4x M4x10mm Motor Puck Screws (secure motor to puck), 2x M8x16mm Ti Screws (secure mast to FD), 1x Mast Cover
Note: Screws and T-Nuts to attach mast to board are included with your Foil Drive System COMPATIBILITY
The UHM Mast is compatible with both the V2 Standard Motor and the V2 High Power Motor - so if you already own a Foil Drive and your existing motor has a V2 plug with removable cable, you’re good to go. We recommend pairing the UHM80 FDA18 Mast with the Integrated Mast High Power Motor Set (SKU FD255; includes Stator, Motor, 3-Blade Propeller, 1x Stubby Cooler Propeller Cover). The HP Motor Set is sold separately or available as a complete set together with the Mast from Foil Drive.
Note: The Motor Pod is in a fixed position on each mast and cannot be removed or changed. Fully internal wiring connects to the Foil Drive system (sold separately by Foil Drive). The Integrated Masts require the complete Foil Drive Kit to operate. Masts and Kits are available separately from Foil Drive. The
and
are available separately from
Sonar Front Wing, Fuselage
Stabilizer
North.
FOIL DRIVE SYSTEM NORTH SONAR FOIL
SONAR FD MAST
Foil Drive Gen2 Kit Slim, MAX or Fusion
Sonar Integrated FD Mast UHM80 or AF80 Mast and Foil Drive Motor
Sonar Front Wing / Fuse / Stab
COMPLETE YOUR NORTH | FOIL DRIVE SETUP
With your mast and motor height chosen, you’re ready to build your ultimate North x Foil Drive setup. Note: North masts are not compatible with Gen 1 Foil Drive systems (Assist or Assist PLUS).
1: CHOOSE YOUR SYSTEM
You’ll need to decide between the MAX or Slim Foil Drive. The MAX is our most popular kit, designed as the ultimate all-rounder with extended runtime and plenty of power for every session. The Slim, is a lightweight option created for riders who want a minimal setup and quick bursts of performance. The Fusion... coming 19.11.2025.
2: CHOOSE YOUR BATTERY
Each system can be paired with different battery sizes to suit how you ride. Larger batteries deliver longer runtime, while smaller batteries keep the weight down, perfect for performance foiling and a more agile feel on the water. Whether you’re chasing endurance or chasing waves, the right battery choice ensures your Foil Drive moves with you.
3: CHOOSE YOUR MOTOR
Your motor sets the tone for your ride. The Standard motor is great for most ride styles, or if you’re chasing longer runs, more torque, and that extra surge of power, the High-Power motor is your upgrade. Some products come standard with the High Power Motor (Aluminium Integrated), where as others you’ll need to add to cart, check product inclusions for more!
4: CHOOSE YOUR BOARD AND FOIL SETUP BOOST FOIL DRIVE BOARD
Lightweight E-glass / Full PVC Wrap board for electric-assisted foiling on flatwater, surf and open ocean.
We’ve integrated a recessed super-trench with DropBox mounting track in the Boost sizes 4’9 to 5’3. This lowers drag by nesting the Foil Drive unit within the board’s hull, allowing water to flow freely and saving motor energy, for a longer runtime from every battery charge. The generous trench size also enables quick battery swaps without removing the unit. Placing the battery weight closer to your feet enhances stability and control, and improves carving, pumping, and wave-riding performance.
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.
E-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.
