New hero and all-star

[gannon311]

Anybody seen any video or pic of these if so where

[ckuntz]

Have seen one pic of the new Hero on their website.. It is blue in color. I would be curious about specs.. Heard they may be shortening it a bit in length. Have not seen anything about the new allstar. Jeremy might know.
Chris

[ScottH]

Jackson Kayak’s theory from the beginning has been to use a boat mold for 3 years then redesign. The All-Star Gen1 was for 04, 05, 06. Re-design for 07, 08, 09 and then the 3rd Gen got a re-design for 2010 (was released early in June 2009 for use at the World’s Competition though). So I would guess it will not get a redesign again till 2013. I have not heard anything different and with the success it has had, guess they will ride it for the full term.

The Hero is due to get a redesign for the 2011 year. Have heard/read they have a few prototypes and that it is shorter. It is suppose to be in a video Dane posted but I could not pick it out. I would not expect it to be available for purchase till Jan-Feb 2011. I don’t judge a boat till I paddle it. And I have been completely surprised by a couple of boat designs in the last few years, but I have trouble thinking that going shorter will improve one of my all time favorite boats designs…

[ckuntz]

Am also disappointed that the design for new Hero is shorter taking away some of its creeking capabilities.. The Villain is a great boat but for my size seems either too tight fitting or too big. Hard to make a judgment until the boat arrives but hope this is not the case.
Chris

[DMG]

The best thing about Jackson's triennial redesigns is that he keeps molding the old design and calls them "Classics" for less money. I bought a 4Fun Classic this summer for a song. I'm glad I bought and sold all those other boats first, though. Without experiencing them, I would not have had the perspective to understand why the 2nd-gen 4Fun is the only kayak I'll ever need. That said, I can't wait to try the 2011 Hero Classic in 1014!

~Dave

[RandyJ]

JK is leaving the 2010 Star series design alone, but is adding a new freestyle boat called the Rock Star. "Unique and cutting edge," and will start releasing in Q1 2011 is all I've heard..

Don't know anything about the new Hero design and haven't heard a release date. Agree w/ Scott - hope they're careful changing the design - would be easy to make things worse. I'd personally take a helping of more hull speed. Otherwise, not sure I'd change much. Maybe if I paddled 50-100 days/year I could come up w/ something.

Paddled my Villain on the Upper Yough a couple of weekends ago, since I'd hardly had it on whitewater yet. Loved it, but was also wishing I'd been in the Hero. If you like a Hero, the Upper Yough is dang near a perfect stream for that boat! My $0.02.