yep, like don smith said I HATE IT! Actually, the first session was a bomb. i tried it at hugenot pond in sketchy winds. just could not make it work. parked it and went back to my gllide and had a great afternoon. i tried it again the next day on the flats and it worked much better. i used it ( 6'8" al merrick) for just over an hour and found that it's a different riding technique required, and it's going to take more wind to use it than my glide. I've got a lot to learn to make the switch to directionals. as a general rule, does a twin tip point higher than a directional or is my observation just a lack of skill?

all of the above..

A lot depends on what directional you are using...like twin tips, some will point higher than others... And, size(length) does NOT matter. For example, I have a 5.0 Placebo, a 5'5" Caution Trespass, and a 6'0 COS. The 5.0 Placebo does the best in light winds and points the highest, followed by the caution 5'5, then the 6.0... More to do with Rocker, fin placement, shape, etc..

I haven't ridden that board you are riding, but it sounds like a normal surfboard, which probably has a lot of rocker... in any case, directionals are a different game, and that is what makes if fun!

agreed, it's like a different sport

I have 3 directional boards now. Gonna say basically what Pat has said.

In the really light stuff, my 5 11 Fish (21 inches wide) does awesome and points upwind insanely well. Comparable to a Glide.
Once it hits 15 knots, my 6 3 board with thruster configuration goes upwind better (and with speed) than just about anything I have ever ridden... it is sick. It is a dedicated kite directional, not a surfboard for surfing. It's my favorite board.

I have also ridden "regular" shortboards (like 6 0 to 6 3) and as stated, their rocker and fin toe-in (thrusters) seems to kill upwind ability.

I would suggest if you are someone who is in the market for a first go at a directional, try to demo your friend's stuff or go to a demo. It's pretty amazing the amount of variation between boards.

If a first timer on directionals, I don't think you could go too wrong with a Placebo or maybe the RRD Hi 5. They go upwind pretty well, aren't as hard to gybe as some other boards and are basically all around fun in flat and waves.

Whatcha' think about that, Pat/Codder? Am I off on that?

Scott,
think you are right on... saw the Hi 5 in the shop for the first time this weekend, and that board looks just like the Placebo, but has the options to do lots of different things with it(strap option, fin configuration, etc..). I think that board in the quad setup, will be killer.

Royal Hi5 guys NOT RRD