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263craft

Stellar · Surfski

Stellar SEI

Intermediate all-rounder hull at 46cm beam with a narrow catch, comfortable curved-back bucket and low-volume footwell. More volume and a more forgiving cross-section than the SES, giving strong secondary stability and glide that carries speed between strokes; 130kg capacity.

Length
6.1 m
Beam
46 cm
Deck
34.1 cm
Lightest
11.1 kg
 
 
Stellar SEI, studio side profile
studio side profile · stellarkayaks.com

Specifications

Length
6.1 m
Beam
46 cm
Deck height
34.1 cm
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Paddlers in chop
New price
A$4,545

Layup weights

Alpha11.1 kg
Excel11.6 kg
Advantage14.7 kg
Multi-Sport15.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
6
Traced hullMedium confidence
Speed
7

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 2 paddler reports and 5 linked sources.

Speed is also checked against the traced hull. Measured from this boat's side and plan photos, the shape alone rates 8, and the score shown is moved a third of the way toward that. What that means.

Suits: True all-condition boat: flatwater, chop, and bigger ocean downwind. Suits athletic beginners growing into it, intermediate ocean racers, and advanced paddlers wanting a stable rough-water drop-down.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 80–94 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 66–97 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

2013-2015

Gen1 (1G) - original Stellar Elite Intermediate, bridging the SR and the advanced SEL/SES/SEA

2016-

Gen2 (2G) - narrower rounded tapered bucket (less padding needed), seat moved forward for wave-catching, rudder forward, reduced footwell volume, lower gunwales; faster and turns ~1 boat-length better per buoy than 1G

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Best-in-class glide and speed for an intermediate ski
  • Strong secondary stability builds confidence fast
  • Genuine one-ski solution: train, race, flat or ocean
  • Comfortable bucket fits a range of hip sizes
  • High 130kg capacity

Cons

  • Won't match advanced/HPS skis (SEL/SES/SEA) on pure top speed
  • Primary stability can feel lively to true novices
  • Full-price layups approach elite pricing
  • Long 6.1m boat to store/transport

What paddlers say

Wesley Echols (2G): 'fastest intermediate ski by far,' 7.3mph flat, likens it to a VW GTI that 'does it all'; roll rate much lower than 1G (surfskiracing.org)Reported experience
Dave the Kayaker: 'hits my personal sweet spot for speed vs stability - felt quite stable to me yet is still very fast' (davethekayaker.com)Reported experience

Where to buy

Stellar Kayaks ↗

Dealers:

Stellar Kayaks Australia · AU ↗

AUD is the Advantage layup at A$4,545 (PaddleZone, 2026); Excel and Multi-Sport A$5,045. The SEI is not on Stellar USA's 2026 price list. No current USD entry-layup price is confirmed.

Sources

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