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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
Skill level
intermediate
New price
A$4,595 · US$5,840

Layup weights

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

On-water profile

Stability
7.5
Speed
6.3

Both scores are rated at the hull's own design weight. How these are derived.

51cm beam + flat wide midsection = very stable for its speed class (reviewers call it 'one of the most stable surfskis ever'); long 5.48m waterline cruises ~6mph, sprints ~7mph but glide is held back by the stable hull.

Speed here also has a traced hull behind it: measured off this boat's own side and plan photographs, the shape alone rates it 5.7, and the published score moves 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

This hull is built around a paddler of about 90 kg. It stays workable from 79 kg to 95 kg, and sits at its best between 84 kg and 92 kg.

Derived from published hull dimensions and calibrated against manufacturer paddler limits, not taken from a marketing range. The method, in full.

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.

What works, and what it costs you

What works

  • 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

Trade-offs

  • 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 in the markets we have mapped:

Stellar Kayaks Australia · AU ↗

AUD new AU dealers: Advantage ~$4,245, Excel from ~$4,595-4,845, light layups to ~$5,245. USD: Advantage $4,700 / Excel $5,840 / Alpha $6,940 (Osprey EXP). 2025-26.

Sources

BetaStability and speed are our ratings, not measurementsRatings, not measurements — how we derive them. Prices checked August 2026.