North Integrated Sonar UHM80 Mast | Foil Drive Tested

North Integrated Sonar UHM80 Mast | Foil Drive Tested

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In this video, Ryan and Hunter from MACkite break down their real-world experience riding the North Integrated Sonar UHM80 Mast with Foil Drive, and why it has quickly become one of their favorite performance upgrades. After fighting over who gets to ride it on any given day, it’s clear this mast delivers noticeable gains in efficiency, speed, and control.

They start by explaining the construction and design details that set the North Integrated Sonar UHM80 Mast apart. Built from ultra-high-modulus carbon, it delivers a significant increase in stiffness and efficiency over aluminum masts. The 80cm mast length combined with an 18cm integrated pod height makes it especially well-suited for trench and channel boards, preserving effective mast length and maintaining leverage even when the pod is mounted higher in the board.

A significant focus of the discussion is the compact, low-drag integrated pod. Compared to traditional clamp-on Foil Drive pods, the North Integrated Sonar UHM80 Mast uses a much smaller and more hydrodynamic pod profile. On the water, this results in faster acceleration, higher top-end speed, and a smoother, more efficient feel when pumping, riding swell, or linking waves. The reduced drag also allows riders to use smaller foils while maintaining comfortable speed and control.

Another key advantage is how forgiving the setup is when the pod dips into the water. With larger external pods, even a slight dip can cause an abrupt slowdown or stall. With the North Integrated Sonar UHM80 Mast, riders can recover quickly, keep pumping, and stay on foil without losing momentum. This is especially noticeable when riding steeper swell, connecting waves, or pushing performance limits.

Ryan and Hunter also cover compatibility and upgrade flexibility. The mast can be purchased with or without a motor, making it a smart upgrade for riders who already own a Foil Drive system. It works with Foil Drive HP motors and V2 motors (with removable cables), allowing existing components to be reused. Internal cable routing keeps the setup clean, streamlined, and purpose-built for Foil Drive use, eliminating the need for taping or external cable management.

They wrap up by discussing who the North Integrated Sonar UHM80 Mast is best for. While newer riders may not immediately notice every benefit, intermediate to advanced Foil Drive riders — especially those focused on wave riding, downwinding, and pumping — will quickly appreciate the increased efficiency, speed, and control this mast provides.

Thanks for sharing the stoke with us here at MACkiteboarding! 🤙🏽 Whether you’re into kiteboarding, wing foiling, or just dreaming of your next session, we’re stoked to have you along for the ride. Got questions or want to chat gear? Drop a comment—we’re here to help and love connecting with the community.

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