That's great Waxy... I think the new pads/straps are a lot better on the new boards once you get used to them.
Did you try the T5 again?

koma said...

kiteboy dave said...

Can you tell me how you find the Cab Syncs on the 666? I found the Nobile pads pretty bad too, in fact after a day in the surf I had no skin left on one instep and limped for a few weeks.

After that I went and got some Syncs too... but haven't been able to try them yet. Keen to know how you find them?

...I've had no problems with the Cab Sync's build quality and they look like they're holding strong. This is the second board i've put them on.

Damnit! I think this thread jinxed me.
My damn Sync's decided to let go today. Fingers crossed warranty sorts it out.

Hi, I have ridden both the Lunacy And the 666 boards both in 08 and 09 models. I ride mainly in choppy conditions 60% of the time and flat water the remainder. Both are great boards; the Lunacy has a good responsive feeling once your planning along fast, good pop and can handle hard landings quite well. The Nobile board would be my choice however as compared to the Lunacy, it feels lighter in the hands and lighter, faster and even more responsive than the Lunacy on the water, with much better pop and control at higher speeds. A much nicer board over all.
79 kg rider
Ideal conditions 18-25 knots
10mtr C kite
Board size 132 x 41

koma said...
Damnit! I think this thread jinxed me.
My damn Sync's decided to let go today. Fingers crossed warranty sorts it out.

Sorry Koma, Hydra. Hope the warranty comes thru. Cheers for the feedback.

I got the 2008 666, I reckon by the sound of it Nobile changed the pads after that.

Yeah I put the IFS pro footpads on my 2009 NHP, had a ride this afternoon, much more comfortable in my opinion... I will still probably go for the Nobile 50-Fifty board this year, it was heaps of fun to ride... just need some more wind to give it another go

Sorry to hear about the broken straps James.

Lucas,
No one will ever doubt your experience in kiteboarding. (Some good moves)
No one will ever not wish to be 14 again unless he is 15 but the truth is, knees, back and lack of flexibility will hit you soon enough. Like your heros, Hadlow, Lenten, Zoon, Allessandro and many more, you'll be riding with a Kneebrace regularly.
Indeed the Lunacy is a good hard board to land some wicked tricks, doesn't nose dive... I'll have to give this knee breaker another good go to agree with your bold statement, but it is not user friendly.
Nobile is making boards based on a "Human Concept", running numerous test to fit a board to its rider and not the other way round.
I am not denying young guns like the idea of the Lunacy and its wide right angle stance.
It works well in flat waters but me bet would be the Nobile is a smoother ride.
Good Kiting,
Hadan

^^^^^^^^^^

I'm not 14 and ride the lunacy 132. Love it although it's not the best in chop . You can make it work though.

It's all about compromise and what you want to do. I like the lunacy as an aggressive board I can land hard and fast on. I like it's pop and while I have lost the carving and smooth ride in chop I had with other boards in the past I have gained performance in the areas I want it.

Right now I don't want a board with heaps of flex that bends when I edge super hard. Next season, maybe I'll want something different. I can always take out the surfboard if I want to carve.

Horses for courses right? Test test test and you'll find something you like. If they guys at your local are OK they will let you have a go - as long as their board already has a few battle scars.

LF CHAOS.. its fast through water, pretty flat rocker and nice channelling for solid grip.

its the 'competition' level board from LF this season.

They actually look really good in the red, but you may still have the same problems with slipping lases with the bolt on pads. Good board though.

I would be interested to know if people think kite-specific surfboards make much difference?

It seems like you can get any old surfboard, reinforce it a bit and go nuts? (thats what it looks like everyone at my local beaches are doing)

Is there a noticeable difference in upwind performance or anything like that?

well folks, thanks for the advice and suggestions. having tried a few boards (but far from a comprehensive selection) i have gone with a 2009 nobile shinn twin, 132x40.

after three sessions on it, from marginal freeriding in 15 knots on my 10m to 30 knots fully lit on butter and in small waves on my 8m, i can share harry potter's previously expressed enthusiasm:

low end and upwind are awesome.

the super wide stance suits my lanky 6'3" frame.

the footpads that others have found hard i actually like, and the straps, whilst firm, fit my narrowish feet well and keep the board on my feet very well during jumps and blasting top speed through chop without needing to be tight.

the flat rocker took a little getting used to after the curve of my tempo but is no trouble at all. weight a bit further back when carving onto waves and it's all good. no spray problems and i'm not using the rocker-shims. not sure what the fuss was about there.

popping is ridiculously easy. for my weight this board has enough flex to dampen landings and enough stiffness to let me load up as much as my skill level permits.

carving, both heel and toe-sides is insane. today i pushed as hard as i could and it just responded.

this board does demand more of me than my tempo, and i would not have been ready for it even three months ago, but, with my meagre though improving intermediate skills, the shinn rewards me very well when i get things right. that's what i was after: an all-rounder that was more challenging and more rewarding when ridden at a higher intensity.

(and i got it at the right price!)

waxman, i got the red one. and i'll keep an eye on the pad bolts, but they're still tight after three sessions.

now all i need is a plan so i can afford an 11m and an 8m bandit3 (my 10m switchy has plenty of life left but the 8m was looking very tired yesterday in 30knots) and complete my dream two kite, one board quiver...