Stellar SR Surfski Review
https://picasaweb.google.com/Surfski14/StellarSRSurfski#
(Disclaimer: I am the Northeast Surfski Rep for Stellar). The best way to decide on any ski is to gather as much information as possible from paddlers, manufacturers, websites, then paddle all the skis you can to form your own opinions based on fit, stability, speed, cost, durability/quality, warranty, availability, customer service and your paddling goals.
This past fall (2010) I paddled only one of the two SR’s in the US at the Kayak Centre in Wickford, Rhode Island. I jumped in it after a few of the employees took it for a spin in the back waters of the Wickford Harbor. I did not know what to expect. Would it be like the other stable skis that I have owned? Would it be more stable, less stable, faster, slower, comfortable, etc? I was pleasantly surprised, as were the Kayak Centre employees. I watched these seasoned kayakers wade out a few feet and jump in the ski, and within minutes feel comfortable. No initial stability twitching, no wobble, no bracing, just get in and paddle. This is quite different from some other skis in this class, especially for paddlers making the transition from sea kayaks to surfskis or for surfskiers who find the high performance skis (HPS) too unstable for them in conditions.
At 19.2 feet by 18.9 this ski is the shortest and widest of the Stellar line. Contrast this to the 20 foot by 16.5 pocket rocket SES. All Stellar models are new designs but share commonalities across the entire line; namely the excellent speed to stability ratio. The SR bucket is designed to fit most paddlers without being too wide and tapers in toward the hip area. The foot plate is the Stellar standard 3 point, ultra secure, no creaking, no rubbing, or no flexing foot plate. This footplate maybe the best in the industry. What is also nice that maybe unique to the Stellar SR, is that the track can be moved a few inches to accommodate really short paddlers or really tall paddlers. So this boat has a wider range of “would be” paddlers. Similar to all Stellar boats, the hump is very low which is an advantage especially for shorter paddlers like myself. This lends itself to better leg drive and better stability since your knees are lower without your calves hitting the hump. I have known a few handy paddlers that have actually modified/lowered their hump in various skis to solve the hump problem. Another built in feature in all Stellar skis is the leash attachment. Stellar boats have a reinforced back deck and the curved area connecting the foot well to the foredeck. This design increases the structural integrity of the boat by not being at a right angles like on so many other skis. The draining is better in this model than in the other models. However, Stellar will be adding bullets that increases the draining time by approximately 30% especially when decelerating. They will also be providing dealers with bullets so they can give to the previous Stellar customers. You also have the option of using the drain plug. I have found that between the plug and the bullets, the excess water is mostly abated except when completely dead in the water without the plug. At training pace, I have found no water in the footwell with or without the bullets. When I noticed too much water in the footwell is when paddling upwind and against the current on a “Big” day. Now with the the bullets, this problem is eliminated.
My usual complaint on the Stellars is the time consuming art of adjusting the rudder lines to get the proper angle on the toe pedals. Self-adjusting rudder lines would be a great addition. Also, as you have noticed on all my boats, I opt for a stiffer single foot strap that does not sag and easily adjusts enough so that I can use my winter paddling boots as well as my summer paddling shoes.
Got Speed?
My first impression of the SR was how quick it felt. We don’t normally attribute quickness to the stable class of skis, however, this ski felt like it wanted to be paddled hard. Last week on March 28th, I did my first “official” time trial on my 6.4 mile course and I was surprised how fast I actually was. I averaged 7.11 mph (8.26 pace) on the first leg of 3.19 with the current but on a very flat day. On the return leg against the current I averaged 6.49 mph. I have done this particular course 228 times now in all my skis. Anytime I am in the 8:30 min/mile on any ski, I am having a very good day. One week later, I did 8 miles on the same course in very windy quartering seas, much different from last week in terms of conditions. I clocked an 8:45 pace (6.86mph) on the downwind leg with an average heart rate of 149.
A few weeks ago, Chris paddled the SR with Tim and I. I was in my SES and Tim in his V12. On the downwind section in 2ft seas, despite Chris having the flu that kept him in bed the next day, he was able to catch most of the waves we did. This was also the first time Chris had been in the ocean since October which speaks to the stability of the SR. It also speaks to fact that the SR can accommodate a wide variety of paddlers with ease. Chris is has a 36 inch inseam, and I have a 29.5 inch.
So does the SR Excel have as much speed as the other boats in the “stable class of skis? I think so. The SR certainly has excellent “glide” that contributes to its speed and light feeling. Skis that don’t have good glide dramatically decrease in speed once you are not applying good effort. In the next month I will have a chance to time trial it even more. The caveat to this is that over the years I have gotten faster in any boat I now paddle. So keep that in mind when reading this.
Got Stability?
As I mentioned, the stability is rock solid. No initial twitching, and the secondary stability maybe best in class of the skis I have paddled. You have to want to capsize in this boat. You can edge this ski all the way over on the gunwales and still hold the line and keep on paddling. The stability is predictable and dramatically dampens the confused seas. The bow rarely buries and if it does, it sheds water very quickly. Steering is pinpoint. It turns on a dime and tracks very well upwind and in downwind conditions. The new “balanced rudder” is now standard on the skis. This means the rudder post is similar to what is on all the other skis. This rudder increases the responsiveness over the previous rudder. A 4 inch flat water rudder is available as well like on all Stellar models.
Another example of the SR’s stability is what I witnessed last fall. A novice 40 year old, female athlete who primarily paddles an 80lb sea kayak with her partner, demo the SR in the advantage layup at my beach. Within 5 minutes she was experiencing the overall feeling of what it means to be in a surfski (freedom). She was liberated from her 80 lb double sea kayak. The SR provided the stability that even novice kayakers can appreciate without being overwhelmed. Both her and her male counterpart each bought an SR.
Summary
The SR is an excellent choice for sea kayakers making the transition to surfskis or persons new to paddling who don’t want to begin with a sea kayak. It also would be appropriate for current surfski paddlers seeking out another option in this class of “stable” skis. It offers rock solid stability with excellent glide contributing to its overall speed. It will fit a wide range of paddlers and as is offered in three layups: Excel(25lbs), Advantage(31lbs), and Sport(33lbs).
Thanks for the review. Will you be charting this on the comparison graph? While I understand your decision to become a Stellar dealer I am sad we dont get to see other boats being added to the comparison chart as they become available, your pioneering chart is much appreciated by those like me who have come into the sport on the past few years. Thanks again!
Brett, I will be adding the SR to the chart once I do a few more time trials. I would like to review more boats outside of Stellar but I have to personally purchase them or borrow them at this point. There is one ski, maybe two, that I am intrigued enough about to buy and review. None of my buddies have either of these skis at this point for me to borrow. These could be reviewed late this summer. Thanks. Wesley
Wesley – I second that request – as I am particularly waiting to hear how it stacks up vice the Huki S1-R in stability and speed. We await your updated chart with baited breath…
Thanks.
Scott
Oops…that would be “bated breath”…I don’t want to appear any less educated than i am!
Would the ‘other’ boats you want to look at include the Epic V8? Could be time for a special category (Mid-pack racer and slower) emphasis. That’s where the majority of us are! In addition to the V8, and Huki S1-R, there’s the Horizon, Kayak Centre’s new Zeplin, etc.
For the C and below paddler, I’m guessing (in Hawaii at least) that so-called ‘stable’ boats would be – by far – the fastest & best I’ve-only-enough-for-1-boat choice….
Ken, I will not be reviewing the V8. Remember the V8 is based on the hull of the 18X kayak and not a new ski design as far as I know. The other skis I may review will be other High Performance Skis(HPS). Reason being is that I primarily only paddle and race the HPS at this point. I agree with you that most of the potential surfskiers are in your group. Here there are already some great choices with the innovative design of the Stellar SR, the Huki S1R, and Evo. I am sure there will be some other choices as well as the market broadens to more sea kayakers and new surfskiers like yourself. Thanks for tuning in. Wesley
… the V10Sport is comparable to the SR:
SR: 5,84m 48cm
V10Sport: 6,10m 48cm
or not?
I would be interrested if there is a great difference between this both.
Environment, workmanship, streamlining of the fuselage, accessible velocity, behavior in wind and waves …
Thomas,
Yes they are comparable. Not sure what you mean by environment, streamlining…., accessible fuselage. SR is unbelievably stable which was the whole goal in the design, so it is more stable than V10 sport. I was really surprised at the speed I was able to generate as per my review. Jury still out which is faster at this point. I had some excellent times in my V10 sport ultra and I have already experienced the same with the SR but need to time trial it several more times to feel good about a definitive answer. Like I said in my review, I am faster in any ski now so that is the caveat as I look back at my previous comparative times. The upshot is that the SR is another great option that is super stable and has excellent speed for this class of boats suitable for anyone who wants to paddle it. Hope this helps.
… yes, thank you very much, wesley! I’ve to paddle the boats myself now …
I’am new to surf ski’s and and looking at the EVO or the SR , you’ve paddled both , and I was wondering if you could compare the two , and possibly give an unbiased opinion to possible help me make a decision on which would be the best for me .I live on the Gulf Coast and would be primarily paddling the bay systems . This means shallow water wind and chop . Thanks
P.S. My present boat is a Q600
Gary,
I paddled the V8 recently and it will probably feel at least as stable as your QCC600x if not more stable. I do not think it will be significantly faster than that either. It feels BIG to me. Remember it is based off the Epic 18x Sport, so if you had paddled that you have an idea about how it behaves. I had it in wind chop and small boat wakes clapotis and it is rock-solid (e.g. feels like most slender sea kayaks would). It is more of a sit and paddle boat than something that would promote good technique or speed – it is so stable that it masks mistakes that a 17″ boat like the V12 or even a 19″ like the V10 Sport or the Think Evo will not tollerate. Is this “right” for you? You got to decide. If you just want the same feel as your QCC600x, the V8 will give that to you, with a little more speed and potential to rotate. Also, if you fit in the 600x, I suspect the V8 may feel big for you, so you might want to look at something a bit more slender and with a narrower seat… The Evo II and V10 Sport are considerably less stable than the V8 but are faster. Seat widths anre all different on these so you need to try them to see which one fits you best.
I have recently been able to spend some time on the Stellar SR (advantage layup) and on a Huki S1-R. To be fair I must admit that I am a kayaker by trade and have only started to paddle surfskis, so please take my views with a grain of salt!!
1. Stability – After paddling both skis in mild flatwater conditions the stability goes to the SR – hands down!! This is both from the perpsective of PRIMARY and SECONDARY stability. Even though I never went over on the Huki ski – I never felt secure enough to put the power down and even after an hour still wobbled occasionally. On the Stellar – I was rock solid from beginning to end and found it almost humorous that I could stop completely and put the ski on such an extreme edge that the water almost came over into the bucket WITHOUT A PADDLE BLADE IN THE WATER! Nuff said – SR is the stability king for us newbies.
2. Speed – I didn’t have enough chance to feel any difference in speed though it seemed that the Stellar seemed to “glide” better in between strokes, i.e. – held its speed longer.
3. Seating – Wow…what a difference! First off, the Stellar bucket is wider than the Huki S1-R – and the Huki seat (I was told) was actually their WIDE seat version. My hips are 38.5″ wide and there was no extra space for me in it. Not so with the Stellar as there was plenty of extra room. Secondly (and here comes the “grain of salt”) the seat in the Huki made me feel like I was leaning backwards, much like I was paddling “uphill”…whereas the Stellar positioned me to feel like I was leaning slightly forward without having to work to do so. Make sense?
3. Tracking/Turning – both skis turned well and easily and were very responsive. (especially for a guy used to kayaks with skegs!) As to tracking, for some reason it seemed as though the Stellar had better tracking as I was constantly making little steering inputs on the Huki to go straight. (remember, I am a newbie though)
Hope this helps some of you out on your ski choice. Now if I can just make up my mind regarding color I can get that excel layup SR ordered!
Scott
Your in the same boat I’am in , no experience in a ski . Your shared experience will be very helpfull to me in making a selection . Could you tell me if you could tell a big difference in the speed an efficiency from your sit inside kayak to the ski , if so, my how much . The stability sounds solid in the SR , basicly like what I’ve read it would be , but you can’t believe everything you read . You’ve proved them right in this instance .
First let me make a small correction in my post you are referring to: my hips are 38.5″ in “circumference”, not width!! LOL They don’t make skis THAT wide!
Speed wise there is no comparison – the ski comes up to speed faster and is easier to hold it above the speed I could reach in my Nordkapp LV…and regarding speed while turning – it is still disconcerting not to need hard edging or extended paddle blades to turn though an edge can still be used to good effect. I cannot make any determination regarding “how much”, but let’s just say that I could detect it easily and that is saying alot.
If my retailer ever gets back to me I will be ordering one in the next day or two. Several paddlers are already telling me about the “dark side” regarding paddling at speed…and how addictive it is. We shall see..
Still waiting to see the SR added to the chart.
If it is truly more stable than the Huki S1-R then it would off the top of Wesley’s chart.
If it can stay in that speed zone and be more stable I’m selling my Wave Excel and getting one of these!
You don’t have to wait on for me to put on the chart. It is noticeably more stable than S1R. What I don’t know yet is exactly how fast it is. I still need to time trial it a few more times. With the race season full underway, i don’t spend much time in the other skis since I train in my SES’s. We are doing a downwind run on Saturday so with another group of paddlers so I may take the SR and compare to the other paddlers in the HPS. Two of the local paddling shops sold two SR’s last week to a sea kayaker and a canoeist who were making the transition over to skis. Both told me they are really enjoying the SR.
Hi Wesley,
My wife is interested in this boat, transitioning from a Think Fit. Can you tell me how wide the footwell is? Are these boats available somewhere close to the Midwest (Indiana)?
Thanks,
Steve
Steve the SR it 15 inches at the catch. John Abrahams of Superior Surf Systems is in the Upper Midwest. You can find him online.