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263craft

Stellar · Surfski

Stellar SR

19'2" x 18.9" (48cm) intermediate ocean hull with slender bow entry for reduced drag and a peaked/rounded deck that sheds water. Moderate rocker, higher-volume forward-shifted cockpit for easy wave catching and release. Wide waterline gives strong primary and excellent secondary stability. Capacity 130kg.

Length
5.84 m
Beam
48 cm
Deck
34 cm
Lightest
11 kg
 
 
Stellar SR, studio side profile
studio side profile · stellarkayaks.com.au

Specifications

Length
5.84 m
Beam
48 cm
Deck height
34 cm
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Paddlers in chop
New price
A$3,595

Layup weights

Alpha11 kg
Excel11.5 kg
Advantage14.6 kg
Multi-Sport15.3 kg

On-water profile

Stability
7
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 3 paddler reports and 8 linked sources.

Speed is also checked against the traced hull. Measured from this boat's side and plan photos, the shape alone rates 7, and the score shown is moved a third of the way toward that. What that means.

Suits: All-round ocean ski for beginner-to-intermediate paddlers transitioning off touring kayaks. Best in chop, wind and compact/short-period waves; short 5.84m length is agile between waves. Stable enough for rough water while still fast on the flat.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 80–93 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 65–97 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

2011-2015

G1 original Stellar Racer. Intermediate ocean ski, wide/forgiving, praised for secondary stability but bottom-of-class speed.

2015-

G2 / '2G' redesign (2015). 10 changes: seat moved ~8cm forward, smaller rounded bucket, reduced-volume footwell + twin venturis, narrower catch, extended/higher-volume bow deck, composite handles. Same underwater hull lines but noticeably faster glide - moved from bottom to upper end of the intermediate speed class. Now being phased out at some AU dealers (clearance stock only).

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Class-leading secondary stability - very forgiving in rough water
  • Post-2015 redesign has genuinely good glide for an intermediate ski
  • Short 19'2" length is nimble and easy to store/car-top
  • Comfortable modern bucket needs little padding

Cons

  • Wide 48cm beam caps top-end speed vs narrower intermediate/elite skis
  • Being phased out - limited new colours/layups, thin dealer support going forward
  • Heavier Advantage/Multi-sport layups (14.6-15.3kg) are noticeably porkier than the 11kg Alpha

What paddlers say

Beginner reviewer on FatPaddler.com found it stable enough to learn on yet fast enough to stay interested after 12 months - a genuine beginner-to-intermediate ocean ski.Reported experience
SurfSkiRacing.com's redesign review called the G2 bucket 'transformative' and was surprised by how much the forward seat improved glide.Reported experience
Surfski.info forum paddlers cross-shopping the 2nd-gen SR against the Epic V10 Sport rate the SR as the more stable/forgiving of the two, trading a little speed for confidence in chop.Reported experience

Where to buy

Stellar Kayaks ↗

Dealers:

Stellar Kayaks Australia · AU ↗

AUD is the Advantage layup at A$3,595, Stellar Australia's own published base price (2026); Excel A$3,995. PaddleZone is clearing stock at A$3,075 Advantage and A$3,425 Excel. The SR is not on Stellar USA's 2026 price list, so there is no current USD price. No Alpha layup is priced in Australia.

Sources

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