2024 North Sonar AF Edition AF72/AF85

The 2024 North Sonar AF Edition is an aluminum-construction foil package available in two mast lengths — AF72 and AF85. Part of North's modular Sonar foil platform, this set bundles a mast, the A700 fuselage, S270 carbon stabilizer, AF board adaptor, hardware, and a padded travel bag into a single ready-to-ride package (front wing sold separately). The "AF" designation refers to North's alloy foil line, positioning this as a durable, cost-effective entry point into the Sonar ecosystem while retaining compatibility with the brand's full range of carbon and alloy wings, fuselages, and stabilizers.

North machines the mast and fuselage from anodized aeronautical-grade aluminum using CNC processes, while the S270 stabilizer uses carbon pre-preg construction with a higher-aspect-ratio profile. The two components connect through North's GeoLock system — a tapered-geometry interface that distributes load across the joint so the mast-to-fuselage connection feels like a single unit.

• Mast lengths available: 72 cm (AF72), 85 cm (AF85)
• Mast material: CNC-machined anodized aeronautical-grade aluminum
• Fuselage: A700 (700 mm length)
• Stabilizer: S270 carbon pre-preg
• Board adaptor bolt pattern: 165 × 90 mm (industry standard)
• Mounting compatibility: North DropBox fast-foil mounting system
• Connection system: GeoLock tapered geometry
• Included accessories: Tool kit, screw packs, stabilizer cover, 600D padded travel bag

The Sonar AF Edition suits riders entering foiling or progressing through intermediate stages who want a modular setup without the price tag of a full carbon foil. The aluminum construction handles the knocks and groundings that come with learning, while the 700 mm A700 fuselage provides a forgiving ride — its longer length delays pitch response, giving newer riders more time to react to balance shifts on the foil.

Choosing between the two mast lengths comes down to riding context. The AF72 keeps the foil closer to the surface, which works well in shallow launch areas and for prone surf foiling where a lower ride height is practical. The AF85 adds clearance for choppier conditions and allows greater heel-over angle in turns, making it the more versatile option for wing foiling and kite foiling in open water.

Within North's 2024 Sonar range, the AF Edition sits as the alloy-mast alternative to the carbon Sonar foil sets, which retail around $1,149 and up. Both share the same fuselage, stabilizer, and modular architecture — the primary difference is mast material and the associated weight and stiffness. Riders who start on the AF Edition can later swap in a carbon mast without replacing any other component, thanks to the shared GeoLock interface.

The Sonar platform competes with other modular aluminum foil systems such as the Slingshot Hover Glide and the Cabrinha foil lineup at similar price points. North differentiates primarily through the GeoLock connection design and DropBox board-mounting system, along with broad cross-discipline compatibility spanning kite, wing, surf, and tow foiling disciplines within a single component ecosystem.