It sounds kinda generic by now but its all about the demo
I might consider something a little longer too, along the line of the fluid spice/ Bliss Stick RAD. As memory serves (and im too lazy to check the boat database) the star series is longer than some of the other boats out there.
I would look at
Fluid Nemesis or Spice
Bliss stick RAD, Smoothy, Specialist
Wavesport Project
DragoRossi fish (i think thats the model)
check the stats and then demo, if the JK seemed a little sluggish on waves I can tell you from my own personal experience the WS project ROCKS!!! Im biased as I paddle one...
Welcome back from retirement ( I just took up paddling again myself after 8 yrs away)... there have been a lot of changes but it is all good!!!!