What the Monk does is allows you to accelerate really quickly in the worst possible conditions – it really does go through chop with impunity. It also holds an edge like no other board I have tried AND it lets you release this edge very crisply.
So yes technique is really important, but the Monk lets you really focus on this i.e. speed, loading and release at optimum levels of power. You are not always ‘hunting’ out the perfect kicker to get the speed and control you want and almost every kicker with short or long periods, smooth or choppy water between becomes a potential ramp!
However – Plummet from reading your posts you seem to get better formed ‘proper’ ramps than most and for this I’d consider the Speedball. I own both and when we get wind blown waves then I like the Speedball as it is sooooo smooth plus you can do the land on another wave and hard carve out that you love.
The Monk will work just as well, but for where I live I like the Monk is for when it is messy it just blast right through and let you attack the conditions with absolute confidence.
Monk... not a windy enough day... as I could still unhook!