Hey Steph,
Good question. Riding your skimmy in chop or rough water can be far more difficult than in butter. It definitely requires at least a different approach to how you ride and possibly a different skim. When riding in heavy chop its a good idea to keep your knees a bit more bent to have a softer stance, and be able to absorb the chop through your body. If you ride with a stiff stance you are going to be launched off your board repeatedly, which isn't a lot of fun unless you like drinking saltwater!
Also, you should keep your kite a bit higher than you normally would as you hit chop to allow you a little lift upwards rather than sideways. That will help keep you on your board, and again lighten your body on the board, which in turn helps absorb the chop. Armed with those techniques, and a bit of practice you will be riding through chop in now time.
Now, as far as your question goes on the board. It is easier to ride a board with a rocker profile more conducive to surf and chop in surf or choppy water conditions. A board with a more aggressive rocker line, up to 3" of nose rocker and 1/2 - 3/4" of tail rocker will release water more easily and cut through chop better. Also, a rounder rail profile vs. sharper rails will provide a easier time of it through chop. However, there is a sweet spot with these characteristics in a board, because they will often slow a board down sometimes substantially. Also, it will effect how well a board tends to get upwind, which is very important when riding in surf. The Nobile tends to have a pretty flat rocker profile, and sharp rails. Thus, this board works very well in flat water, but you will have harder time riding in rough chop.
One, last thing I did not mention, is that your board's construction can make a huge difference in how it feels when riding it. A very stiff board can be wicked fast in butter conditions, but knock your fillings out in chop.
One of the biggest secrets in making a good skim is the right layup and construction which will result in a sweet ride on the water whether riding in chop on flat water. This is where you can really tell the difference between boards. You could have two identical boards as far as length, width and thickness go, but ride very differently due to how they were constructed.
Anyways, I was supposed to be going kiting this morning, but the wind went offshore earlier than expected.
Its been a tough season this winter here.
Hope that helps, but please let me know if I can answer any more questions for you.