Compare and Contrast: 2010 Allstar first impressions

So, it’s arrived (well mine anyway!). My shiny new 2010 Allstar in its patriotic red white and blue lies there amongst its shipping packaging, and the first thing I think is: ‘Blimey! It’s tiny!’.

So, straight to the point that seems to be concerning most people I talk to: ‘Will I fit in it?’. The new Allstar is indeed 4” shorter (most of which is off the tail) than the previous model, leading to understandable concern; yet it also has 1 ½ gallons extra volume, and I, at 5’10”ish and size 10 feet have no problem at all getting in, with shoes on. Gareth at approx. 6” also hopped in relatively comfortably, albeit pulling the footbag to one side. Clearly bigger people are going to struggle, but then there is the 2010 Superstar, and sadly not everyone can be catered for.

Viewed sided by side the addition of the extra volume is obvious with the knee height an inch greater, and the bow volume extending further forward from the cockpit rim than the ’07. This helps to deliver loads of ‘pop’ for huge loops, gozillas, etc! Also the stubby stern is clearly more bulbous, which should aid in backlooping.

The new model is actually wider than it’s predecessor (3/4”) yet the sides around the knees slope in bringing your knees closer together achieving, in my view, a more comfortable sitting position, reducing back-strain and dead-leggedness, and aiding a better paddling posture (also probably avoids bashing your thumbs!). The seat feels marginally higher than before too, which helps edge control and quick rail transition for those aerial moves.
The hull maintains many of the features of the ’07, though they’ve been tweeked and incredibly, considering the reduction in length, it feels even faster! This apparently is down to some very clever modelling work done to reduce the eddy formed behind the boat when surfing, thus reducing drag and increasing speed. However it’s achieved it works a treat, giving a fast and loose hull yet with great control when the rails are initiated in a carve.

The reduction in length and weight means that rotational acceleration is awesome, allowing for really fast snap when looping, blunting, etc. The short length and rocker profile also mean it’s incredibly easy to launch the boat into aerial moves front and back (definite improvement on the ’07 backwards), although I’m yet to get on a really good wave to test this potential fully. Possibly there is a reduction in stability on its ends but this is marginal and far outweighed by the benefits of fast yet controllable rotation.
I’ve taken my Allstar down a few rivers in the States and was very pleasantly surprised by the performance. She tracked much better that my ’07, especially through boily water and eddylines, plus I found less tendency for the front to purl. The fast acceleration speed of the hull made catching river features on the fly easy, something I will admit I was worried about with the length.
All things considered I find it hard to find anything to fault in the changes made. I’m sure there will be gripes that the sizing of the range hasn’t dropped something between the Allstar and the Superstar, especially with the Monstar available for the more traditionally built boaters out there; but that really is a different matter.

I just can’t wait to hit up a really decent feature to put it properly through it’s paces, because I’m sure it’s gunna rock… plus it’s not made of carbon, so it wont break!!
If anyone sees me on the water and would like a go, just ask. Otherwise, Square Rocks container will be in very shortly, but you’ll have to be quick to get one, as they won’t be on the shelf long!

p.s. I’d like to say a massive thanks to Aaron and Rhona at Square Rock for arranging the delivery of my boat to me at camp in the States, you guys rule!

Cheers Will Hatt