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263craft

Stellar · Surfski

Stellar S18SX

Shares the S18S G2 platform, a mid-to-high-volume 5.48m x 51.2cm hull, but strips the storage hatches for a lighter, cleaner deck. Rounded, forgiving cross-section with a rocker profile Stellar tunes for efficient flat-water paddling and catching waves, and a narrow catch that keeps the stroke close. Very stable for its class, so it doubles as a stepping-stone and surf-zone trainer.

Length
5.48 m
Beam
51.2 cm
Deck
33.7 cm
Lightest
11 kg
 
 
Stellar S18SX, studio side profile (green hull)
studio side profile (green hull) · stellarkayaks.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$4,695 · US$4,360

Layup weights

Advantage14.6 kg
Multi-Sport14.4 kg
Excel11.5 kg
Alpha11 kg

On-water profile

Stability
8–10
Dimension estimateLow confidence
Speed
5

Modelled from published beam, length and deck height. Low 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 estimated from published dimensions. Qualitative context includes 1 paddler report and 6 linked sources.

Suits: Flat-water fitness paddling, learning to catch runners, small-to-moderate downwind and surf-zone play; a stable stepping-stone toward narrower race skis.

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

2020-present (G2)

Hatchless 'X' surf-trim of the S18S G2 platform: same 5.48m x 51.2cm hull as the hatched S18S Exp (Osprey) but with a streamlined deck, dual-Venturi bailer and no storage hatches, making it lighter and cheaper. Also offered as an S18SX SM for smaller-framed paddlers.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Very stable for an intermediate ski (51.2cm beam)
  • Lighter and cheaper than the hatched S18S (Alpha ~11kg)
  • Rocker tuned for catching waves; forgiving stepping-stone

Cons

  • Slow relative to longer, narrower race skis
  • No storage hatches, unlike the S18S Exp
  • High-volume hull is less efficient under lighter paddlers

What paddlers say

Stellar's own product copy says the S18SX 'reduces weight and price by eliminating hatches' on the S18S G2 platform, with a rocker profile 'optimized for efficient paddling and catching waves' (stellarkayaks.com).Reported experience

Where to buy

Stellar Kayaks ↗

Dealers:

Stellar Kayaks Australia · AU ↗

AUD is the Advantage layup (14.6kg) at A$4,695 (Stellar Australia base price, 2026); Excel A$5,195 and Multi-Sport A$5,695. Paddleshop sells it from A$4,395 Advantage and A$4,895 Excel, and PaddleZone is clearing stock from A$3,425. USD is the Advantage layup at US$4,360 (Stellar USA 2026 price list); Excel and Multi-Sport US$5,370, Alpha US$6,715.

Sources

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