What board should i get?

[adamrod]

yup. you're absolutely right. rocker definitely hinders upwind performance. And anyone who claims you can have your cake and eat it too is lying to you. The best I can explain it is, that the advantage of rocker (or a super flexy board to a lesser extent) is that the when you hit chop (or you land a big jump) the board doesn't impact the water with the full outline all at once, so it absorbs it better.

a super flat board will hit the same chop and rather than absorbing and deflecting the impact, it will go straight to you and your knees.

imagine taking a board, dropping it into the water and having it hit perfectly on its bottom. on the rocker board, the center will hit the water first and then the tips. on the flat board, the entire board hits the water at the same time. as you can guess, having one part of the board deflect the impact makes the impact much less severe.

however, a flatter board is much more efficient. you're sliding on top of the water rather than plowing through it, so you can go faster with less kite, and point further upwind more efficiently.

my best suggestion is to get a board with MORE rocker but maybe not a board with a LOT of rocker. also, rockered boards tend to run bigger, so someone who might ride a 134 in a flat board would maybe ride a 138 in a rockered board (to help counteract that disadvantage in upwind ability)

in sum, if you want to be nice to your knees, be prepared to sacrifice some upwind.

[windhorny]

There is sorta another factor too and that's wind. Racing aside, if you are powered up the rocker will not be very noticeable. It's really the lighter wind where that extra drag comes into play. So with that in mind, if you are planning on riding anywhere other than Alameda, then go with rocker galore and start shredding.

As an example and proof of this to myself, I once built a copy of the slingshot glide. Main difference was that my board had 1.5" of rocker and the Glide has 3/8". My board was great in the 12-14mph range and absorbed noticeably more chop. BUT, the glide would smoke my board in sub 12mph winds because of the flat rocker. In light wind it does make a huge difference. but as soon as the fun winds come ,15+, it doesn't matter as much and will not hinder your upwind ability.

[maxsteamer]

If the price is right and he has the time I would have Yuri make you a board. If your knees are already shot and you get a board that makes it worse, you will be on the sidelines by mid season. I have alot of boards and the only one I can ride without my knees aching is a "Foam Core" 2005 "Slingshot Drake" before that Yuri sold a board to my bro.. I wanted that board "SOO BAD" I offered him double what he paid for it. Talk about a butter ride..Holy Moly!! I could ride that board all day no problemo...I'm an old dude and my knees have been through alot of sh*t over the years so I'm not complaining but I have spent alot of money on boards I can't ride. so if you can build a board to save your knees..why take a chance with a production board.

Max be with you " no? I don't work for "Yuri" but I should!!!

[elli]

Like everyone said you get something in one area you will normally loose something elsewhere.
There are compromise boards that try to be good in all areas, but not the absolute best. The FLX and the North Jaime are probably the best examples. They are freestyle boards, but not stiff flat planks. I love the FLX because it’s a forgiving board. It is very good in most areas. The best things I like about the FLX:
1. Unbelievable landing absorption. Any way you land, it takes it smoothly. On tail, on front, little sideways, dead flat, it soaks hard impacts. I had many oh sh.. landings that ended up a non event on this board. And that was not because of some skill I have :)
2. Smooth on chop, great for Third Avenue channel. You still have to lean back and work with the legs, its not Mako auto-pilot, but its great.
3. Pop is easy. You don’t have to be Lenten to get some air only with the board and you don’t have to try hard. It kind of load and pop by itself if you point it in the right direction.

On the down side, its not the easiest ride toeside and its not a wave/carving board. Makos are better for that.

I settled on FLX and a Mako. You can’t get everything in one board. Sometimes I am tired for a hard session, I take out the Mako, ride toeside and carve, not jump a much. Otherwise, FLX. On the rare occasion I ride in waves, its mako.

That “everyone has interest” is little off. I have gear from 4 companies right now, and a few others in the past. If you buy a Mako, Jamie or an FLX I don’t get any kickback and I don’t represent anyone, like many other people here.

I say try the Jamie and FLX first, then the Makos, if you ride more on the coast then maybe Makos first. If none of those fit the bill then try the other 50 :)

FLX, Mako and Jamie all have rocker if that matters.

[maxsteamer]

Hello elli,

TO FUNNY!!! I have a Jaime and your right that board is forgiving on the landings but dude!! if you don't keep pressure on the leeward rail that board wants to round up and rip off Hello feet. I still think if you have bad knees? and "Fort Knox" is out of reach. A board designer can save you alot of time and money and those priceless knees. The last ten years I had all my surfboards made by "John Mell" the owner of Freenline designs in capitola near Santa Cruz. I don't surf much any more but when I do, my freeline board is the only board that keeps me knees movin' fo sho.. "Yuri's boards at least the one I rode was the only "Kiteboard", I was able to ride for a long time without my knees tellin me to sell my kites and check in to the convalescent home.

[elli]

Hello elli,

TO FUNNY!!! I have a Jaime and your right that board is forgiving on the landings but dude!! if you don't keep pressure on the leeward rail that board wants to round up and rip off Hello feet.

I was talking about the FLX. Both the FLX and Jamie need pressure on the back foot, like all twin tips. The Mako needs a lot less which reduces stress on the legs.

[kitesrfr]

Hey Robert,

I see you have a NHP 666 already, so you know its a good board.
This year it has more rocker than previous years, and a new 3D construction for more flex. It is a really good board, and it rides great.
What else are you looking for in a new board?

[adamrod]

saw this video..thought it was appropriate for this thread. if you have sore knees, try to find a board that can do this :-)

http://vimeo.com/10507647[/video]

[windhorny]

was that the guy wearing the high heels?

[Loscocco]

That guy doesn't need water to do tricks on a kiteboard.. just use it as a springboard... whole new use for them.

saw this video..thought it was appropriate for this thread. if you have sore knees, try to find a board that can do this :-)

http://vimeo.com/10507647[/video]