Great to see you back, Dan. I always look forward to your videos. As a UK-based bloke where kayaking isn't a big thing, you single-handedly encourage me to buy my first kayak and get on the water. Thanks for the great content!
Looks like a good boat, but at only $1995 the Pakayak 142 is far less expensive and breaks down into 5 pieces that all nest into each other, at only 42 inches total when packed into a bag with wheels. At 59 lbs it is about ?18 lbs heavier, but the difference in price is incredible. Suspect this is faster than the Pakayak with lighter and stiffer materials. Would be good to see a direct comparison between the two.
You definitely get what you pay for here. Performance between the two is not in the same realm, however the portability of the Palayak is definitely better.
Had the Pakayak and found it almost impossible to handle fully assembled and meaning dropping it on my shoulder was a no-go. Not to mention getting it out the water, walk some meters ..... No problem with the Stellar S14G2 modular. Also the Pakayak in Europe is 3000 Euros ($3257) while I bought the Stellar S14G2 modular (Multisport Layup) for 4100 Euro ($4451) and that closes up the gap pretty wel considering the Stellar S14G2 modular weighs only 18.3 kg as compared to 28kg for the Pakayak. Great if you have a car and can build it up near the water but otherwise Pakayak is a nightmare.
Here in Europe, almost no seller for the Pakayak, on official website it costs 2000$ and here 3000€, that's a joke for a kayak, I'll never buy something at 3K while official is costing almost 1k less...
I would guess both are clever and functional The Stellar looks by far the higher end kayak, and if it handles and goes like my similar looking Stellar S16, its an awesome kayak in conditions, getting downwind, or just flatwater The Pakayak looks more like a typical recreational kayak, which is not an insult but well below the Stellar in performance
One of the appealing aspects about a break down kayak is that it can go in the vehicle, instead of on the roof Nicer to drive with, better security, and you don't have to lift the thing onto the rack, or even have a rack
Nice job Stellar!! Looks like a great option. And BIG SHOUT OUT TO TEAM ALDER CREEK!!! (those folks are awesome up here in Portland right on the Columbia River)
Glad to see a new video. Love the fact that a composite can be modular, but the prices... LOL. I wonder how these modular kayaks hold up in salt water, e.g. does the salt water corrode the gaskets, etc. Wish my back could handle a sit in kayak.
Seriously considering getting one of these as an upgrade to my Pakayak. BTW, just curious do you have any thoughts/experience with the Pakayak? I know the Stellar is in a different league but wondering if you ever tried a Pakayak and what your thoughts are.
I have a normal Steller S14 G2 in Excel build, and also have issues with leaking cargo covers. After 6 years the cargo covers are very stiff and the layer of sealing foam unglues and leak in spite repeated attempts to get sealing. I much prefer the softer stretchier black silicone rubber hatch covers from Kayak Sport (these fit easy always and have never leaked on my composite Aquarius Sea Lion, although on polyethylene kayaks like the Ysak, the Kayak Sport covers can’t stretch reliably around the thicker edges). In any case Steller needs to improve the covers on all their kayak models.
This is an awesome looking kayak, and I bet you could even fit it in a Camry if you put some of it in the back seat and some of it in the trunk. Five grand is nothing to sneeze at though lol.
It looks nice, performs really well, the size sits within my preferences (a 14-feet long boat) but the price is more than all 3 Gumotex inflatable kayaks I own together. I won't be able to afford one... not yet at least. 😉 I'm also curious if Stellar make an LV version - I'm rather small so and LV could suit me even better. 😅 Thanks Dan for checking it out.
Gearlab Kallleq has been a great paddle for me, have a decent amount of miles on it. Very interested in the Stellar kayaks S15 or 16 would fit me best. Great review the 3 piece looks like a lot of fun.
Pretty cool boat. Maybe something to consider as I get more into paddling. I just bought a nice used Wilderness Tsunami 135 with rudder on Facebook marketplace to get started. I’m vertically challenged and older and have a Subaru. I can’t get the boat on J racks by myself so I’m getting a Hullavator. Packing inside in pieces seems even better. I was thinking it would be nice to have a second Hullavator for my husband but after research saw due to roof weight capacity you can’t really have two Hullavators.
This is a really cool idea, but I don't know how much I would trust it anywhere that water could be a little rough! I get the system has been around for a while, but I could see kayaks being used in rougher water.
Geez, that's a nice kayak! Really like the idea of leaving it in the car instead of on the car. I think a better Eddyline matchup might be the Sitka LT rather than the Equinox (I have an LT and my goal is to use it more this year). I've heard great things about the Gearlab paddles, so I'm looking forward to your review..
@@HeadwatersKayak Ok, I see what you mean. I was thinking about the overall length and the skeg, but looking at the specs, the Stellar fits right between the two Eddylines in length, beam and cockpit size. Maybe a sweet spot for a boat?
Hi Dan, great to see you back on the channel. I own an S14G2 standard version back in the UK and I love it? May I ask what type of spray deck and size are you using? Do you also prefer the neoprene tunnel or would you go for the adjustable type? I will be venturing out on some sea estuaries very soon when you can get swell and chop. Best regards and "Happy Paddling" David
Thanks for tuning in all the way from the UK! I run a Level Six Ace Skirt. It has a neoprene deck and tunnel. I like it because it’s heavy duty yet still easy to pop on and off. Also it has reinforcing on the deck where I do rescues.
I am more interested in the paddle than the boat to be honest 🤣 The paddle community tends to be pretty divided on whether or not Greenland paddles are "worth" it or not. I do ultra marathons and want something easier on my shoulder. Curious to hear if this would be a worthwhile investment. ~$500 is not a gamble I want to take
You can always make your own out of a piece of cedar to get started. That’s how I got into it. I fell in love with it. It may not be for everyone and that’s fine. However your endurance paddling I think you would find it very beneficial.
@@HeadwatersKayak I have zero woodworking skills. I actually took woodshop in highschool and was tasked with making a tool box. It was so bad that I was too embarrassed to pick it up at the end of the year 🤣
SKEG BLADE is notably larger than on my S14G2. I feared my blade so small it might be ineffective, but experimenting in a 15mph+, 90 degree crosswind, it surprised me by holding it's track fine. In your vid, the S14G2-3piece has a skeg that looks more like the one in my S.Intrepid-LV. Any comment, please, about the longer skeg blade in the S14-3piece?
With the confined space they decided to move to a different Skeg system that has more flexibility nothing wrong with the stock Stellar Skeg. If anything the one on the 14 Mod is overkill. I never use it fully down. More like 1/3 most of the time
I would be interested in the portability factor in regards to airline travel. Could you check the two bags in as is? Or is there special precautions needed to prevent damage while in transit?
Have to say that boat does look Beautiful. However, I have a PakAyak (Only one bag and it has wheels on also only 3 or 4 minutes to to set up) So as much as I do really like this Yak it's not for me. Great video and a great review.
You say it averaged 3.45 for the hour. 3.45 what? MPH, Knots, KPH? Sorry if it seems a dumb question but I'm not familiar with the units you use in other videos.
ooo super cool! Hope they might carry something like that in Ontario at some point. Neat paddle too - haven't really found any good carbon fibre ones in Canada yet. Getting one from the US is murder with the exchange and tariffs added on. :( As for doing a video on the Greenland - YES. I love traditional paddles; that's all I use anymore. I get asked pretty much every time I'm one by at least one person how a Greenland paddle works, and it's so neat to open people up to them. They certainly do require a different technique and outlook, but are so rewarding once they click. I think it'd benefit a lot of people to talk about them. I'd l'd also highly recommend checking out some of @DancingWithTheSea's videos. Paulo's way of looking at and using a Greenland is really natural and useful.
I appreciate the recommendation. Always looking for good TH-cam entertainment. And I agree educating people on Greenland paddling is important. So much culture behind the paddle.
@@HeadwatersKayak Very much agreed. The Inuit got the paddle "right" centuries ago. I find the more I learn of their techniques, the more relaxing paddling gets as it uses so little energy. I also use an Aleutian paddle, which if you ever get a chance to, is very unique - like two paddles in one as each paddle face side is different and is suited to different things.
Exactly. Not everyone wants to load a kayak on their roof and strap it down. My wife will be all about this. She hates tying down a kayak to her roof rack, so she takes an inflatable. This will be so much nicer for her.
Thank you so much for the review! I hope you are able to do more modular kayak reviews in the not too distant future!
I’m hoping Trak Kayaks gets me one to test out this year. I’ve always been impressed by those.
@@HeadwatersKayak I think I'm going to start emailing companies for you!
Great to see you back, Dan. I always look forward to your videos. As a UK-based bloke where kayaking isn't a big thing, you single-handedly encourage me to buy my first kayak and get on the water.
Thanks for the great content!
No way that’s awesome! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Cheers! 🍻
Looks like a good boat, but at only $1995 the Pakayak 142 is far less expensive and breaks down into 5 pieces that all nest into each other, at only 42 inches total when packed into a bag with wheels. At 59 lbs it is about ?18 lbs heavier, but the difference in price is incredible. Suspect this is faster than the Pakayak with lighter and stiffer materials. Would be good to see a direct comparison between the two.
You definitely get what you pay for here. Performance between the two is not in the same realm, however the portability of the Palayak is definitely better.
Had the Pakayak and found it almost impossible to handle fully assembled and meaning dropping it on my shoulder was a no-go. Not to mention getting it out the water, walk some meters .....
No problem with the Stellar S14G2 modular.
Also the Pakayak in Europe is 3000 Euros ($3257) while I bought the Stellar S14G2 modular (Multisport Layup) for 4100 Euro ($4451) and that closes up the gap pretty wel considering the Stellar S14G2 modular weighs only 18.3 kg as compared to 28kg for the Pakayak.
Great if you have a car and can build it up near the water but otherwise Pakayak is a nightmare.
Here in Europe, almost no seller for the Pakayak, on official website it costs 2000$ and here 3000€, that's a joke for a kayak, I'll never buy something at 3K while official is costing almost 1k less...
I would guess both are clever and functional The Stellar looks by far the higher end kayak, and if it handles and goes like my similar looking Stellar S16, its an awesome kayak in conditions, getting downwind, or just flatwater The Pakayak looks more like a typical recreational kayak, which is not an insult but well below the Stellar in performance
Very interesting. For space limited city dwellers like myself, this 3-piece S14 is a nice solution. Thank you for the video.
You bet!
Great video Dan; probably my most anticipated video on your channel. Def looking forward to the 16 and 18 foot models!
You and me both! Thanks for watching.
One of the appealing aspects about a break down kayak is that it can go in the vehicle, instead of on the roof
Nicer to drive with, better security, and you don't have to lift the thing onto the rack, or even have a rack
Yes agreed 100%. Less stressful on many levels.
A much deserved break - great to see you back! Awesome review, need a second job now to get that Stellar S-14!!
Love the idea of shipping my boat ahead of me to the vacation hotel! ✈️🌎
Good to see you back on the water, I really enjoy your content. I hope the break was good to you.
It’s been good to be back. Really excited for next weeks video.
Nice job Stellar!! Looks like a great option. And BIG SHOUT OUT TO TEAM ALDER CREEK!!! (those folks are awesome up here in Portland right on the Columbia River)
Yes they are!
Sweet! Great job Stellar! Looks amazing and I am super intrigued to get those paddles now too!
They are worth trying. So light!
Glad to see a new video. Love the fact that a composite can be modular, but the prices... LOL. I wonder how these modular kayaks hold up in salt water, e.g. does the salt water corrode the gaskets, etc. Wish my back could handle a sit in kayak.
It’s a good day when we get a new boat review.
Good to be back at it.
Missed you, but glad you had a nice break. I want to get back out on the water so bad
Thanks for sticking around. It was a needed break. Excited to be back in the kayak though.
Seriously considering getting one of these as an upgrade to my Pakayak. BTW, just curious do you have any thoughts/experience with the Pakayak? I know the Stellar is in a different league but wondering if you ever tried a Pakayak and what your thoughts are.
Vibes. cool boat. You gave me some Bob Ross vibes today.
I’ll take that as the ultimate compliment. 🎨 👨🎨
I have a normal Steller S14 G2 in Excel build, and also have issues with leaking cargo covers. After 6 years the cargo covers are very stiff and the layer of sealing foam unglues and leak in spite repeated attempts to get sealing. I much prefer the softer stretchier black silicone rubber hatch covers from Kayak Sport (these fit easy always and have never leaked on my composite Aquarius Sea Lion, although on polyethylene kayaks like the Ysak, the Kayak Sport covers can’t stretch reliably around the thicker edges). In any case Steller needs to improve the covers on all their kayak models.
This is an awesome looking kayak, and I bet you could even fit it in a Camry if you put some of it in the back seat and some of it in the trunk. Five grand is nothing to sneeze at though lol.
It looks nice, performs really well, the size sits within my preferences (a 14-feet long boat) but the price is more than all 3 Gumotex inflatable kayaks I own together. I won't be able to afford one... not yet at least. 😉
I'm also curious if Stellar make an LV version - I'm rather small so and LV could suit me even better. 😅
Thanks Dan for checking it out.
They do make a lowball version of a s-14. I’m hoping that someday it comes in 3 piece.
@@HeadwatersKayak Oh, BTW, Dan... would you be able to test and review the Epic 14x and compare it to a single-piece Stellar S14 g2? 😁
@@LetsGoPaddling If I could get my hands on one. I don't know of any dealers who stock them out west.
@@HeadwatersKayak I'm sure you will... sooner or later. If it's not lent to you then you'll probably find one while traveling one day. 🙃
I've really been wanting to get into a 16ft touring kayak. If they do this setup in 16ft, that would be perfect for me.
A lot of it depends on how this boat does for them. But I get the feeling folks are gonna love it, and we’ll see more three-piece options coming.
Gearlab Kallleq has been a great paddle for me, have a decent amount of miles on it. Very interested in the Stellar kayaks S15 or 16 would fit me best. Great review the 3 piece looks like a lot of fun.
If you’re anywhere near me I’m happy to get you on the water to try some out.
Im in Connecticut or Id definitely taker you up on the offer. Thanks!@@HeadwatersKayak
Will you be at Lake Lodi whenever Abba has the equipment try-out day? If so, can you please bring this kayak and paddle? Thanks!
Yes I will.
I would also try bicycle inner tube "washers" to see if that lessens water getting past bulkheads.
Just add rubber gaskets to the wingnuts and they are 100% watertight 😉 No additional muscle strength needed.
Seems like it should have come with something like that. Maybe I’ll give that a shot.
@@HeadwatersKayak We add them before selling. It would be great if you could follow this up, because it‘s very simple and keeps water out 100%
Pretty cool boat. Maybe something to consider as I get more into paddling. I just bought a nice used Wilderness Tsunami 135 with rudder on Facebook marketplace to get started. I’m vertically challenged and older and have a Subaru. I can’t get the boat on J racks by myself so I’m getting a Hullavator. Packing inside in pieces seems even better. I was thinking it would be nice to have a second Hullavator for my husband but after research saw due to roof weight capacity you can’t really have two Hullavators.
This is a really cool idea, but I don't know how much I would trust it anywhere that water could be a little rough! I get the system has been around for a while, but I could see kayaks being used in rougher water.
3 piece kayaks have done some of the most remote expeditions out there. Look at Nigel Dennis trip around the Horn in a three piece. Gnarly stuff!
@@HeadwatersKayak I'll have to check that out! With the system being around for a while, it would make sense that it has be durable!
@@HeadwatersKayak Yep indeed! I have the 17ft 3 piece NDK Expedition and it works great for rough water and fitting in the car!
Geez, that's a nice kayak! Really like the idea of leaving it in the car instead of on the car. I think a better Eddyline matchup might be the Sitka LT rather than the Equinox (I have an LT and my goal is to use it more this year).
I've heard great things about the Gearlab paddles, so I'm looking forward to your review..
I agree that a Sitka may have been a better comparison. But the S-14 is more stable and a little larger cockpit.
@@HeadwatersKayak Ok, I see what you mean. I was thinking about the overall length and the skeg, but looking at the specs, the Stellar fits right between the two Eddylines in length, beam and cockpit size. Maybe a sweet spot for a boat?
Hi Dan, great to see you back on the channel. I own an S14G2 standard version back in the UK and I love it? May I ask what type of spray deck and size are you using? Do you also prefer the neoprene tunnel or would you go for the adjustable type? I will be venturing out on some sea estuaries very soon when you can get swell and chop. Best regards and "Happy Paddling" David
Thanks for tuning in all the way from the UK! I run a Level Six Ace Skirt. It has a neoprene deck and tunnel. I like it because it’s heavy duty yet still easy to pop on and off. Also it has reinforcing on the deck where I do rescues.
Hi Dan, thanks for your advice, I will look up Level Six. Thanks David.
I am more interested in the paddle than the boat to be honest 🤣
The paddle community tends to be pretty divided on whether or not Greenland paddles are "worth" it or not.
I do ultra marathons and want something easier on my shoulder. Curious to hear if this would be a worthwhile investment. ~$500 is not a gamble I want to take
You can always make your own out of a piece of cedar to get started. That’s how I got into it. I fell in love with it. It may not be for everyone and that’s fine. However your endurance paddling I think you would find it very beneficial.
@@HeadwatersKayak I have zero woodworking skills.
I actually took woodshop in highschool and was tasked with making a tool box. It was so bad that I was too embarrassed to pick it up at the end of the year 🤣
SKEG BLADE is notably larger than on my S14G2. I feared my blade so small it might be ineffective, but experimenting in a 15mph+, 90 degree crosswind, it surprised me by holding it's track fine. In your vid, the S14G2-3piece has a skeg that looks more like the one in my S.Intrepid-LV. Any comment, please, about the longer skeg blade in the S14-3piece?
With the confined space they decided to move to a different Skeg system that has more flexibility nothing wrong with the stock Stellar Skeg. If anything the one on the 14 Mod is overkill. I never use it fully down. More like 1/3 most of the time
I would be interested in the portability factor in regards to airline travel. Could you check the two bags in as is? Or is there special precautions needed to prevent damage while in transit?
If I was going to check these on an airplane I think I would wrap them in one layer of bubble wrap or packaging material just to be safe.
Have to say that boat does look Beautiful. However, I have a PakAyak (Only one bag and it has wheels on also only 3 or 4 minutes to to set up) So as much as I do really like this Yak it's not for me.
Great video and a great review.
PackAyaks are cool. Would love to get my hands on one to test.
@@HeadwatersKayak if you get the chance you won't be disappointed 👍
Welcome back ...
Thanks it’s good to be back!
You say it averaged 3.45 for the hour. 3.45 what? MPH, Knots, KPH? Sorry if it seems a dumb question but I'm not familiar with the units you use in other videos.
ooo super cool! Hope they might carry something like that in Ontario at some point. Neat paddle too - haven't really found any good carbon fibre ones in Canada yet. Getting one from the US is murder with the exchange and tariffs added on. :(
As for doing a video on the Greenland - YES. I love traditional paddles; that's all I use anymore. I get asked pretty much every time I'm one by at least one person how a Greenland paddle works, and it's so neat to open people up to them. They certainly do require a different technique and outlook, but are so rewarding once they click. I think it'd benefit a lot of people to talk about them. I'd l'd also highly recommend checking out some of @DancingWithTheSea's videos. Paulo's way of looking at and using a Greenland is really natural and useful.
I appreciate the recommendation. Always looking for good TH-cam entertainment. And I agree educating people on Greenland paddling is important. So much culture behind the paddle.
@@HeadwatersKayak Very much agreed. The Inuit got the paddle "right" centuries ago. I find the more I learn of their techniques, the more relaxing paddling gets as it uses so little energy. I also use an Aleutian paddle, which if you ever get a chance to, is very unique - like two paddles in one as each paddle face side is different and is suited to different things.
Have you done a review on pelican per catch pro 100? I got one smoking deal 850.00. your to far away. Thank you sir.
What is the actual length of the longest module? I need to know if it will fit in my car. Thanks
170cm
Do you know if they make one you could add a second cockpits to?
Yes the 14’ can also be a S-19 tandem by adding a cockpit. I’ll do a video on that later.
Have they announced the price?
Yes $4495 for the kayak I paddled. I leave all the stats and additional info in the description.
I'd have to sell my house to be able to afford this but might be worth it!
Right, now you can live in a studio apartment and store your kayak in the closet. 😂
@@HeadwatersKayak Yep! 😀
Cool 😎
Nice option to have so one doesn’t have to have a roof rack.
Exactly. Not everyone wants to load a kayak on their roof and strap it down. My wife will be all about this. She hates tying down a kayak to her roof rack, so she takes an inflatable. This will be so much nicer for her.
Want
You are paddling as you would be using an euro blade!! Just saying .
Ok 👍