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263craft

Stellar · Surfski

Stellar S18S

Long waterline with flat-ish hull edges and a broadly rectangular, high-volume mid-section giving strong primary stability. G2/G3 narrowed the bow and enlarged the cutaways for a cleaner catch; wide secondary rails (2-3") make it very forgiving. Two sealed hatches add expedition volume.

Length
5.48 m
Beam
51.2 cm
Deck
33.7 cm
Lightest
11 kg
 
 
Stellar S18S, studio deck view
studio deck view · stellarkayaksusa.com

Specifications

Length
5.48 m
Beam
51.2 cm
Deck height
33.7 cm
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Paddlers in chop
New price
A$4,895 · US$4,700

Layup weights

Alpha12.5 kg
Excel13 kg
Multi-Sport15.4 kg
Advantage16.1 kg
Ultra11 kg

On-water profile

Stability
9
Traced hullMedium confidence
Speed
6

Modelled from this hull's traced beam and depth at its design weight. Medium confidence. Speed is our rating. Both are given at the hull's own design weight.

These ratings are Surfski Index estimates, worked out from published dimensions, traced hull shapes where we have them, and reviews. They are not supplied by the maker or timed on the water. How a ski feels depends on your weight, skill, set-up and the conditions, so use them to shortlist skis and paddle one before you buy. How we rate.

Stability here means how steady the ski feels sitting still on flat water. Where two craft have overlapping ranges, we can't say which is more stable. Downwind handling is a separate thing, covered in the evidence note below.

Evidence note

This band is based on a trace of this hull’s geometry. Qualitative context includes 3 paddler reports and 10 linked sources.

Speed is also checked against the traced hull. Measured from this boat's side and plan photos, the shape alone rates 6, and the score shown is moved a third of the way toward that. What that means.

Suits: Flatwater to moderate ocean chop and downwind; ideal for sea-kayakers transitioning to ski. Stable enough for beginners, still fun for advanced in a blow.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 79–92 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 65–96 kg. This estimate is a guide, not a limit. Seat fit, conditions and paddling style matter. Lighter paddlers can still enjoy a larger hull, especially downwind. A test paddle is the best check.

Estimated from hull dimensions using a formula fitted to makers’ own paddler limits. It does not establish the designer’s intended paddler weight. How this is worked out.

Generations

2012-2018

G1: original 18' stable tourer-racer, flat hull edges + rectangular mid-section = huge primary stability but limited glide. 18'x21" (5.5m x ~53cm).

2018-2019

G2 (2G, Aug 2018): sleeker hull, enlarged cutaways, narrower/sharper bow for tighter catch, more forward CoG + optimised rocker for wave-catching. Faster, 'more lively' than G1, stability retained.

2019-

G3 / renamed 'Osprey' (S18S EXP): current expedition-spec with two hatches (~39L bow + 90L stern). 5.48m x 51.2cm. Marketed as flagship stable fast tourer-racer. Hatchless S18SX variant offers lighter Ultra layup ~11kg.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Exceptional stability for its length/speed class
  • Fast and long-running for a stable ski
  • Expedition hatches = touring/overnight capable
  • Spacious comfy cockpit, cushioned handles, easy rudder swaps
  • Excellent remount

Cons

  • Limited glide between strokes vs narrower race skis
  • Wide turning radius
  • Slower than sportier narrow skis (V8Pro beats it on flat TT)
  • Fiddly pedal-tension system
  • Heavy in Advantage layup (~16kg)

What paddlers say

'One of the most stable surfskis of all time... will kick you back upright' but glide/pace trailed a narrower V8Pro (8:26 vs 8:05 mile) (Robert Norman, K2non Paddle School, G1 Excel)Reported experience
G2 'more lively than the 1G', very fast for class, ~6.4-6.9mph flat TT, tipped for sub-3hr Blackburn in light layup (SurfSkiRacing.org)Reported experience
'Extremely well built, strong, durable, both fast and stable... forgiving for sea-kayak converts' (Paddling.com reviewers)Reported experience

Where to buy

Stellar Kayaks ↗

Dealers:

Stellar Kayaks Australia · AU ↗

AUD is the Advantage layup (16.1kg) at A$4,895 (Stellar Australia base price and PaddleZone, 2026); Excel A$5,695 and Multi-Sport A$5,995 on Stellar Australia. Paddleshop sells it from A$4,595 Advantage and A$5,195 Excel. USD is the Advantage layup at US$4,700 (Stellar USA 2026 price list, sold as the Osprey); Excel and Multi-Sport US$5,895, Alpha US$6,940.

Sources

BetaRatings are estimatesRatings are estimates. How we get the numbers. Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.