[img]images/boats/jackson-kayak/star-2007-th.jpg[/img]Boats Database: Jackson Kayak Star 2007

The Ultimate Playboat

jupz

i was thinking of buying a jackson star could anybody give me some information about there experiance with this boat

First off how big are you?

The boat itself is an awesome design, loose, fast hull and incredible pop for loops. Enough edge to make surfing waves great too. Honestly the best playboat I have paddled.

it looks pretty cool, all the people who have one that i know like it

The Star is a really nice playboat. The only complaint I've ever heard about one was that the outfitting can move around a little but even that was an 06 model. Best thing to do would be call up your local dealer... if there is one nearby... and ask for a demo, that way you can be sure it's comfy to you and the right size as well. Everything I've seen from these boats has been good, their drier because of no holes through hull and seem to perform really nicely in a hole or wave. I've only paddled one for a single run at Penrith and It felt really fast on the face of a wave but even with the happy thruster didn't have quite as much pop in the hole when compared to my Dagger Crazy88:dance: with over thruster.
While I've always been predominately a dagger man I'm seriously thinking about a star for my next boat.

Hi there.

I have had a Star for about 9months and like it. My previous boat was a 4Fun which was/is also a gret boat.

It all depends on what you want your boat to do. The Fun was my first \"short\" boat so it felt very small and manoeuverable when I first got it but, as my paddling got better, I was able to understand the limitations of the design and make the decision to go for the Star. My own experiences are summed up as follows:

The Fun series is a great alrounder if you are 60/40 river running/playboating. It has a reasonable hull speed (for a short boat) and you can make most lines on grade 3 rivers (when compared to a longer, pointier boat like a Diesel 75 or an RPM). It is also short enough to be able to stop and play on waves when you find them. It has enough hull speed to be stable on fast waves. This hull speed is also what made me decide to change. When hole surfing you tend to slide forward into the waterfall and get flipped (based on my junior experience - I'm sure there are plently of people out there that can make this boat shine in holes).

I went to an All Star because I wanted a 70/30 playboat/river runner. Most of my paddling is at Penrith so I want to be able to play on the waves rather than just punch through. The Star is a slower hull that is far less good for making hard eddies (I've found) and I find it hard to make ferry glides without losing a lot of height (but that's not what I bought it for). If you accept that you a buying a specialist boat for holes and playing then you are in for a lot of fun. The slower hull means (for me) that the boat is able to sit on the foam pile of a hole much more easily and not slip forward into the main waterfall.

The slower hull means that it is harder to stay on faster waves though. I liken the Star on a fast wave to sitting on an inner tube. Not much directional stability so you have to really work to keep the boat pointed down the wave.

I found the outfitting to be nice and comfortable provided you make the following modifications:
- Change the cheap carabiners behind the seat for some solid screwgate chain links (climbers call these malleons (sp?)
- If you are going to use this boat in salt water ever, change the hand nut seat adjustment fittings from the standard \"rustable\" bolts, to something made from stainless from your local boat shop (I can give you more information on this if you email me)
- If the budget will allow it, buy a happy seat (the bit that inflates under your thighs). This accessory was teh single biggest improvement for me in boat outfitting (after decent hip pads). The difference in feeling solid and locked in is huge. If you had to choose, I would buy one of these before I bought a Sweet Cheeks (the beanbag seat).

I'm in Sydney, so it's not likely that you're in the neighbourhood, but if you're ever in town email me and I'll give you a test drive.

James

i have paddled the new star many times i highly reccomend it, its very reliable for surfing and tricks, much better than the old star because jackson balanced out the volume in the ends and very comfortable

I just bought a Star a few weeks ago. My previous boat was a 2Fun. I'm on the upper end of the weight range and have been super impressed so far. Since we're approaching our off season, I've really only had is on the Bliss Wave. Its a big fast bouncy wave and it's been so fun. I have no problems getting out onto the wave and the boat is fast enough to stay there. It really wants to spin and at this point the boat wants to do more then I'm capable of.

On flatwater, It is so much easier to try cartwheels and bowstalls then in the 2Fun where I really had to work to get vertical. I'm really excited about trying to keep up with this boat. My confidence and ability has already improved in just a few weeks. This boat forces me to be a more aggressive paddler.

Pyranha

Howdy,

Yes, it very much depending on your weight, body type, etc ..... I am 5' 9\" ...68kg and jackson star is just nice for playboating ..... I also own perception spin, wavesport project 52 and dragorossi fish ......

The boat is awesome!!!

Cheers

Brekmoxx

I'm a relatively new boater that just bought the Jackson Star. Last season I was paddling a Necky Chronic and was happy with the boat in Class II and III rivers and learning to surf. I bought the Jackson because I am at the lower end of the Chronic's weight range, and found it very hard to learn play moves in the pool this winter. In the Star I am at the upper end of the weight range listed on Playak for the boat (160lbs). Jackson has the boat listed for a max playboating weight of 130 lbs. Several reviews I've read commented that the Star is the perfect boat for the 150lb paddler.
I am short (5'4") and would have preferred to trim the seat all the way forward, but found that in the water this gave me too much "Nose Down" pitch. With the seat all the way back, the boat sits evenly in the water, but predictably low at my weight. Compared to the Chronic it has been very very easy to learn to get this boat vertical on flat water. It fits like a glove and is extremely comfortable. My only concern is that when I try to "river run" with it, I'll have trouble with how low it sits in the water.

All in all, if you are in the weight range though, you will probably love this boat