I have gone to the cab custom this year and love it- but from what you are describing I think you should try the Naish Momentum....works well for everything and has a nice soft flex on the landings....

cool... thanks for suggestions... i'm starting a priority list with all the suggestions...

how about the channels... haven't tried a board with channels... should i go for it or not bother...?

Hey Lover, if more rocker makes landing really easy then me thinks you need a lot more rocker

Naish Momentum (cross between the awesome '06 Sol (see display pic) and the recent Thorns. Definitely worth a demo)
Nobile 666 ('10 has more pop but is slower than '09 due to increased rocker. I love my '09 666!)
Cardboard Tempo (haven't ridden one but they get a good rep from those that do)

... and just a bit of a curve ball, try one of the Find Riot's. I've had a couple of runs on a demo Riot 136 now and it's a bloody nice board that's throwing punches much higher than it's ~$690 complete price tag suggests. Almost as fast and as much pop as my '09 666, but much smoother and softer on the knee's. I'd say that the 132/128 would be even better... but i haven't gotten my hands on one of them yet. I'm thinking i'll actually slot in a Riot 128 as my finless board and keep my '09 666 (134) as my daily ride.

No - i'm not affiliated or have any obligations to any manufacturer, i just tend to ride an awful lot of demo gear and am always on the lookout for something new.

Cardboards...you can ride mine when next at Altona if you want...130x40 Tempo.