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
Specifications
- Length
- 5.84 m
- Beam
- 48 cm
- Deck height
- 34 cm
- Category
- Surfski
- Skill level
- intermediate
- New price
- A$4,895 · US$3,995
Layup weights
On-water profile
Both scores are rated at the hull's own design weight. How these are derived.
Speed here also has a traced hull behind it: measured off this boat's own side and plan photographs, the shape alone rates it 6.9, and the published score moves 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
This hull is built around a paddler of about 91 kg. It stays workable from 80 kg to 96 kg, and sits at its best between 85 kg and 93 kg.
Derived from published hull dimensions and calibrated against manufacturer paddler limits, not taken from a marketing range. The method, in full.
Generations
G1 original Stellar Racer. Intermediate ocean ski, wide/forgiving, praised for secondary stability but bottom-of-class speed.
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).
What works, and what it costs you
What works
- 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
Trade-offs
- 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
Gallery
Where to buy
Dealers in the markets we have mapped:
AUD RRP ~$4,895 (Excel/Advantage) but now clearance-discounted to ~$3,075 as it's being run out; USD ~$3,595 Advantage / $3,995 Excel. Ultra/Grand-Prix elite layups not offered on this model.
Similar craft
Closest in stability, speed and paddler weight across the whole index.
Think
Six
Epic
V10 Sport
Stellar
S18S
Sources
- https://stellarkayaks.com.au/SR-surf-ski
- https://www.stellarkayaks.com/SR-surf-ski
- https://paddlezone.com.au/products/stellar-ski-sr
- https://surfskiracing.org/2015/11/2015-redesigned-stellar-sr-review/
- https://fatpaddler.com/2013/02/surfski-review-stellar-sr-beginner-to-intermediate-ocean-surfski-12-month-review/
- https://surfski.info/forum/19-boats/19007-2nd-gen-stellar-sr-vs-2nd-gen-epic-v10-sport.html
- https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-kayaks-paddle/stellar+ski/k0c20025