Testing Out the Stellar Kayaks Range

This week we headed up to Vermont to paddle with the crew from Stellar Kayaks. I was met by dealers from across North America to test out new and existing models from the Stellar Range. Here are my thoughts on the boats. If you'd like more info on the Stellar brand check out:
www.stellarkayaksusa.com/

[@davidfinch7418]

Helpful Consumer Advice:
I'm 6'3", with relatively long legs compared to my torso, and am looking for a tourer to upgrade from my 14' Riot Enduro with it's 90cm long cockpit to something lighter... because lifting the current boat is getting harder as I get older.
First I tried was a S15LV... because was the easiest to get off the rack, and sadly I couldn't get into it... nor the S16 either, as I can't get knees into the cockpit... The sales guy steered me towards some heavier alternatives to the Stellar range, but I wasn't impressed by the weight, and was even looking at inflatable alternatives when the head of the dealership mentioned that even though the cockpits are the same size on paper, the leading edge of the cockpit on the S14 G2 is higher than the 15, 16 and even the 18.
Jackpot! I can fit quite well!
It's $AU3600 for the Advantage including rudder, but only $AU300 more for the Excel (Kevlar) so that upgrade is a no brainer... but either way it's not pocket change.

[@barry4fish19]

Thanks for sharing, nice to see the Compass for sure. But, wish I could find more videos of the S12, the comparison you did vs the skylark and aventura still remains as the only on-the-water review available on TH-cam. I can’t find any on-line customer reviews for the S12 either, even on Facebook. Maybe you know of some others.

[@brentmoreland2623]

Great reviews! Thanks!

[@groovymoon]

Dam I need to move out by you guys.. Oh that's VT!!! LOL Gorgeous boats. Pricing is kind of out of my range :o)

[@mmmbass6068]

That S14 might be my next kayak for fishing estuaries - a bit more speed is attractive and looks to have enough stability

[@mikecoglione1308]

I have an S14 G2 and I absolutely love it, much better than the previous S14 as it's more stable. I like it better than the S12, it's faster *and* more stable! However I don't think it's stable enough to fish out of. For that you will probably need a Dragonfly which I also have and those little packboats are beautiful little wonders. Unfortunately the Dragonfly is so light and has a high freeboard that it's very vulnerable to crosswinds and big conditions so it's best kept to rivers, swamps and closed waters. The Compass might be a better bet in that case, same hull design but in a kayak. While fabulous, fast and responsive, I don't think any of the other Stellar kayaks starting with the S12 and up are stable enough to use for fishing.

[@groovymoon]

My Kayak buddies laugh at me but I put an old beat up kids ski pole in my boat. That way I use the pole to push me off rocks and when grounded and when getting in and out. Last thing I want to do is break my Cannon Carbon Fiber paddle blade. We run rivers in Michigan and they have shallow spots.

[@billb3374]

This is just a fun video!

[@paddleboy84]

It was a fun day for sure!

[@just-dl]

Like the compass! I’m 5’7” so your comment about shorter-armed paddler is taken to knuckle. I mean heart. Taken to heart…🥸 I’d love to try that puppy. Also the s14 (std volume). I love skegs. So, I’d go that route. Can’t always tell from POV cameras, but it seems acceleration is above average. Stellar is safely outside my price range. But, if I grow up….

[@mikecoglione1308]

Wonderful video. Love watching now that ponds are frozen and boats are winterized. I miss paddling! Honorable mention goes to the Dragonfly Excel which weighs only 24lbs. Maybe my favorite boat ever. Yes it's super affected by wind and waves; the S12 isn't that similar. While tippy for its width its still very fast for a 12 foot boat it tends to handle wind and wave a LOT better vs the Compass, much more seaworthy. My 2nd favorite is the double which we also have. It is a divorce boat as it's just short enough if you're not in sync your paddles will bump against each other. EXTREMELY fast, if you have two strong paddlers it planes over the water and just takes off at ~7mph. IT's also incredibly stable which is unbelievable considering the speed. My in laws have a Wilderness Northstar and while the composite Stellar is a little tippier wow is it a rocket ship. Strangely it also can handle big waves much better too despite less initial stability vs the heavy 95lb Wilderness boat the lighter Stellar just doesn't bob or heave as much when big waves or wind hit it from the side. I can go out with another serious paddler and face 20mph wind without any anxiety regarding tipping. For me this is not true with any other Stellar boat even the S14 G2.
That boat *NEEDS* a skeg. With it down it's a rocket ship. Without it the boat goes all over the place. Edging doesn't seem to work very well and is pretty scary because it's already unstable without skeg so the last thing you want to do is.... rock the boat! It's jekyll/hyde, without it boat is SUPER tippy and won't track so that sucker stays down 100% of the time. I also don't like the Smart Trak rudder. It's very vague and often doesn't engage so you never really know what direction the rudder is. Same foot engagement gives you an infinite amount of positions and steering. Rudder does what it wants, not what you want and boat is all over the place. Had it checked and there's nothing wrong with it. It truly is a loose cannon! The rudders where you have to move the entire pedal are more precise and tend to keep the direction you set in a given position far better aka the Wilderness Systems rudder. Agree the seats aren't great. Tried getting more padded ones but you're higher up and these boats which aren't that stable to begin with become pretty scary so back to stock seats it had to be except the ST17. Maybe across the board the thing that leaves the most to be desired in Stellar boats is the uncomfortable seats. Love how light and fast they are but man paddles >1h become PAINFUL on your back and butt.