I have not ridden the new (2014) Spleene Zones...but I want to...hehe
I have owned a 2007 ZOne for 7 years and still love it. I sort of got into directional boards as a result of m love of this board. I moved on to strapless riding in 2009 and my first board was an Aviso 5/8 Lost Round Nose Fish and I absolutely love that board as well.
I probably ride the Aviso more than anything else, then my Firewire Taj 5/10..both strapless, mostly as a function of my current "discipline" of strapless riding.
But every once in a while I still like to get the Zone out to rip really hard strapped and boost big in the waves. Chirojoseph, my Zone definitely has that feeling of "rebound" and is a super cush ride in any kind of chop because of the rocker and flex of the board...and surprisingly efficient in light wind. The Aviso is also very "cush" in the respect of the flex in the hull and deck...but the boards are still different and great in their own ways. B comparison to the Aviso the Firewire is relatively stiff feeling but cuts through chop better and is a nice fast board for bigger/steeper waves, simply due to the shape...but needs more kite power to maintain proper speed.
I think it is a utopian idea that one board will do it all, and it's nice to have the board that works best for you in various conditions if that is your situation. I tend to get it all at one point or another...big and nasty,big and clean, small and mushy, etc etc...so it's nice to change up the boards to suit the conditions.
I too am eager to see how well one of the new Zones will integrate with a foil. know from experience that my Zone is bomber construction and has held up to incredible abuse. I know that the foil masts and wings are very fragile, as are the boards typically being used with them....so traveling with that gear is probably a worrysome thing. For the world cup guys maybe you have to go with the light weight carbon boards, but the Zone is actually very light but lacks volume...and i don't know if that is an important factor or not.
Someone must have tried this Zone/Foil combo by now??? so please give us a report!! It would be nice to have a board that rides so well with or without a foil.