Unfortunately the Potomac has been at it's 4-point-"ugh" level (based on the Little Falls gauge) where there just isn't much to play other than the Center Chute ledge and maybe Wet Bottom. So after two weeks of no paddling, I finally decided to get some exercise and check out the ledge with my new-to-me All-Star.
The outfitting isn't quite set up perfectly yet, but so far I like the boat. The hull speed is definitely faster than my T2, and the shape is different so I feel like I'm sitting on top of the water or cutting through instead of pushing water in front of me. I have often referred to the T2 as a brick, which the All-Star definitely is not; not that I had any trouble rolling before, but the All-Star rolls a lot easier. After a little practice I should be able to consistently hand-roll again, which I was able to do in my old EZ but only managed to do once with the T2.
The thing that's going to take a bit of getting used to is the short stern. I think the cockpit is placed an inch or two farther back than the T2, so in the current the stern feels a bit grabby to me, at least at 4.1-4.2 levels at the ledge. As soon as I spin around it often gets pulled down by the current and flips me over backwards. Also because of the different bow shape, it's harder to balance in a bow stall, and it took a little extra effort to get the bow down for flatwater cartwheels.
I was still able to spin and cartwheel in the whole and overall it's a very comfortable boat, so I'm sure I will be just fine after I have it trimmed out a little more and get used to the new shape.
