I'm a C-Boater after a new boat, which I might convert to C-1 or might paddle K-1, not sure yet. Mostly a playboater, I do some river running, and am pondering a new boat.
My Stats:
5'9"ish (could be 5'10"), 130 lbs, about a 30" in-seam (even less sure on this one).

At this point, I'm bouncing around between a Project (mostly likely 45, could be 52), or a Jackson (most likely a Star, could be an All-Star), and am looking for advice. Right now I paddle a Prijon Delirious, and can flatwater cartwheel it, haven't had much chance to try in a river (there's a lack of good play-holes on my local run, it's mostly waves).

I'd like to start playing with some new-school moves, and am working on my blunt. Any advice on either which hull is better, or whether 'tis better to be at the bottom of the weight range (and get air), or the top (and throw it around), as I find myself right on the borderline.

Thanks,

Oh, and I'll be demo-ing both boats extensively before I purchase, but haven't started that yet.[b:4990de0806][/b:4990de0806]

it really is personal prefronce i paddle the all star im 61 and weigh 10.5 stone so 145 pounds roughly so im pretty light for the boat but i find that it is easy enough to throw around on moving and flat water some friends who are heavier have had a play and make flat water play look easy, if you want the new moves e.g blunts uts better to be able to get some air and so be light i guess. both boats are really short and you should not have a problem throwing them about. i have only really sat in the project but its apparently a grate boat.

I'm sure this might upset some of the WS guys, but I gotta be honest. I checked out the Project for the first time and the general shape of it felt like an All Star rip off. I know the outfitting is different, and the lines are different, but it just seemed too close in overall shape. Almost like they were trying to compete with the All Star.
Or, gasp, copy it. What does that have to do with anything? Nothing. Both are great boats and both would be great for any play boater. I'm not saying one is better then the other. In fact I think they are too much alike.

I'm not trying to piss anyone off, I just find it odd

I own both a Project 45 and a star. I have been paddling the star for 8 months and the project for 2 weeks.

1. the project is WS answer to the star. This is true.
2. Many people thought that the star looked very similar to the ZG

designers play off eachothers designs. Tweeking each boat to make it the best boat possible.

These are facts:
1. The project is looser and is way faster than the star.
2. wavesport outfitting does wonders for the performance of its boats. And doesn;t require hours of messing around with. I guess you wouldn't care about outfitting since you are C-1. lol

Here are my opinions.

The star may be a tiny bit of a better river runner. The star tends to blast alot which is a pain in the ass when trying to throw down a blunt, loop, or cartwheel. The bow of the project initiates much better for the outlinned tricks. this will make the project a little harder to front surf in steep holes ( which are better side surfed anyway). I rarely get rejected for looping in the project. The project has better balance on end for cartwheeling and the tips are a tiny bit slicy which is also nice. The project has more volume around the cockpit and less around the bow. Therefore, it has as much pop as the star. The star is easier to loop in a crappy initiation because it has no stern. with any decent initiation the project loops awsome. The project does not backsurf as well in a steep hole or wave. Backsurfing and spinning took some tweaking for me, to get them as well as my star. The stern in the project makes it more squirtable when trying to do that trick, has not screwd me for river running yet.

Although I prefer the project after trying both EXTENSIVELY boats are a matter of choice.

hey guys, ive been in the market for a new boat after i got bored with the 2fun. your posts helped out a lot with my decision on the project. ive done a lot of research on it and it seems like a really solid boat. just wanted to say thanks.

[quote:aec22011ea="aevanlloyd"]I'm sure this might upset some of the WS guys, but I gotta be honest. I checked out the Project for the first time and the general shape of it felt like an All Star rip off. I know the outfitting is different, and the lines are different, but it just seemed too close in overall shape. Almost like they were trying to compete with the All Star. [/quote:aec22011ea]

yeah i was thinking that too. i wouldnt say it is a rip off but it is very close

Guys...why is everything immediatly a rip off, or whatsoever...Manufacturers discover some designs work, no wonder boats are starting to look alike. Look at the WS ZG and then at the Project, then decide where the Project design comes from...

[color=cyan:bb85e91cba]Well most boats look fairly similar and gee, I wonder why... Maybe it's because they are all doing the same thing. A lot like a car. They generally have 4 wheels and these days they're all much of a muchness. Which came first Who cares I just want to relax and have fun on the water whatever I'm in... [/color:bb85e91cba]

they are both great boats but personaly i have used both alot and i perfer my project 52i find the allstar has a bad endge on it and the outfiting isnt my personal favorite but still you cant go wrong with either one