Long time observer, first time official poster.
I read daily on the GPS site that the lads/ladies are very happy with the comfort level of their board in rough open ocean conditions. I personally use a 2009 104lt Mistral Screamer, above 15knts with a 7.5 T4 (93kgs) and I hate it. I feel like I'm being belted from pillar to post. Nothing is comfortable about this ride - what so ever 
. So, there in lies the question, what does make a board more comfortable in open water conditions as opposed to the relatively smooth conditions of, lets say Green Island (Cairns) of which I am very comfy with. Love to hear some thoughts.
Double concaves help as rather than belt down they feel more cushioned - I compared a freemove board with a Tabou rocket side by side in chop and the rocket was a lot more comfy - felt like it rode on a cushion of air while the freemove bashed a bit..The rocket felt like it sort of came down cushioned at each chop while the other clattered. I ended up getting the freemove though as it was more lively and fun!
Plus the board was to be for 5-18kts wind so the chop wouldn't be too bad..
Don't ask me any technical stuff .I just know how it felt!
Try the mega double concaves on the old Starboard Hypersonic ... at at about 223cm x 77cm width (from memory) it was more comfortable in chop than my waveboards.
I agree with sue about the double concaves. One thing I have also experienced on some of my boards is a big difference in handling once I got the right fin. Prime example, my fanatic ray. It's a mongrel dog when the fin is wrong. It feels like someone is bashing the bottom of the board with a cricket bat. As soon as I get the right size fin in it the ride becomes fast and exciting. It seems like if the fin is to small the board drops to much between the waves, bounces and goes slower. If the fin is to big it bounces to high over the peaks and causes me to back off and I go slower. Once the fin is right, I have the correct amount of lift to make the descent into the troughs more gentle and the bounces over the peaks are manageable. So in effect the ride smooths out and the board goes quicker because of it. This effect is more noticeable on boards with less rocker like slalom and freerace boards however the right fin makes a difference on any board.
Tabou Rocket is primarily designed to resolve the issues your having
If you see one at your local spot ask the owner if you can have a sail.
A lot of manufacturers are also offering double thickness foot pads on some of their free ride and free move lines.
From a design perspective the main tools to soften the ride are V and concaves. Most modern boards have either or a combination of both. Boards designed for flat water will generally have less V and shallower convaves and if you want a board to be really good in chop then you would increase the V or have deeper concaves, especially in the middle of the board and just forward of the mast track where it impacts the chop the most.
Like with all design there are trade offs so for a designer it is a matter of choosing the appropriate shapes to achieve the handling you are after.
Then there is the construction. Full carbon boards are much stiffer and transmit the chop impact more severely than softer materials like s glass, innegra ,technora and wood.
Select to expand quoteCluffy said...
I agree with sue about the double concaves. One thing I have also experienced on some of my boards is a big difference in handling once I got the right fin. Prime example, my fanatic ray. It's a mongrel dog when the fin is wrong. It feels like someone is bashing the bottom of the board with a cricket bat. As soon as I get the right size fin in it the ride becomes fast and exciting. It seems like if the fin is to small the board drops to much between the waves, bounces and goes slower. If the fin is to big it bounces to high over the peaks and causes me to back off and I go slower. Once the fin is right, I have the correct amount of lift to make the descent into the troughs more gentle and the bounces over the peaks are manageable. So in effect the ride smooths out and the board goes quicker because of it. This effect is more noticeable on boards with less rocker like slalom and freerace boards however the right fin makes a difference on any board.
You have a way with word Cluffy!
..Mm may have to borrow some fins and see how much difference they make.
Tough to narrow it down i reckon.
Fin size, Down haul, Out haul, Board size, Sail size, Mast foot position etc...
Get any one of these wrong and the ride becomes a task.
Having the rig right will allow you to power up and depower in and out of the troughs
Agree with above that V or Double concave helps with ride comfort too.
Ahh the joys of it all.
Select to expand quoteParentalrite said...
[br]Long time observer, first time official poster.
I read daily on the GPS site that the lads/ladies are very happy with the comfort level of their board in rough open ocean conditions. I personally use a 2009 104lt Mistral Screamer, above 15knts with a 7.5 T4 (93kgs) and I hate it. I feel like I'm being belted from pillar to post. Nothing is comfortable about this ride - what so ever . So, there in lies the question, what does make a board more comfortable in open water conditions as opposed to the relatively smooth conditions of, lets say Green Island (Cairns) of which I am very comfy with. Love to hear some thoughts.
Altough everyone has given the options for a new board I would perservere with the board you have for a while.
That board should be ok in the chop (assumption based on brand experience)
Try adjusting things before giving up on it.
Mast base position, 1cm makes a difference to how the board will ride.
Foot strap position.
Sail tuning, downhaul is important or you will get jerked around & the chop will feel worse.
Load up the harness & balance your lines & make sure the boom is at the right height for you.
Finally try some different fins, keep dropping a size untill things feel better.
When it all comes together you will be amazed.
Failing all that get a board with heaps more vee & concaves
Select to expand quotePaul Kelf said...Parentalrite said...
[br]Long time observer, first time official poster.
I read daily on the GPS site that the lads/ladies are very happy with the comfort level of their board in rough open ocean conditions. I personally use a 2009 104lt Mistral Screamer, above 15knts with a 7.5 T4 (93kgs) and I hate it. I feel like I'm being belted from pillar to post. Nothing is comfortable about this ride - what so ever . So, there in lies the question, what does make a board more comfortable in open water conditions as opposed to the relatively smooth conditions of, lets say Green Island (Cairns) of which I am very comfy with. Love to hear some thoughts.
Altough everyone has given the options for a new board I would perservere with the board you have for a while.
That board should be ok in the chop (assumption based on brand experience)
Try adjusting things before giving up on it.
Mast base position, 1cm makes a difference to how the board will ride.
Foot strap position.
Sail tuning, downhaul is important or you will get jerked around & the chop will feel worse.
Load up the harness & balance your lines & make sure the boom is at the right height for you.
Finally try some different fins, keep dropping a size untill things feel better.
When it all comes together you will be amazed.
Failing all that get a board with heaps more vee & concaves
Long lines ( 30") and seat harness - sit with bent arms , push arse out and straight legs out from board - acts like suspension - your not standing over the board but out over the water so you don't get bashed as much.Noise can still be a pain..( cribby poo stance..)
Hey, thanks for the input to all and sundry. There was some really good ideas that I can have a go at. Can only give them a try - Thanks so much. Some times when your having a terrible time of it, you tend to forget about then simple options.
+1 for moving the mast base - I'm always amazed how this little thing can make a difference
