A Little Kayak That Punches Above It’s Class| Stellar S-14 Review

[@mikecoglione1308]

Love my S14 G2, huge improvement over the previous iteration as it actually is stable and can handle rough waters without always wanting to flip. It tracks terribly without the skeg and without it down doesn't feel as stable. Without skeg I cannot control it and will take advantage of this winter to bring back to the shop to get skeg installed. VERY fast, like 6mph fast I timed myself on Strava doing a prolonged zone 4/5 workout with heart rate maxed out in anaerobic (didn't feel it) and got over 6mph in straight line shots. That's almost surfski fast for a boat that is only 14 feet long and without any current or wind to push me it was consistent all around the lake. Excellent speed to length ratio as boats any longer are very skinny and unstable. I just wish it turned a little better with the skeg down without getting so tippy or unstable with the skeg up when you raise it. Even halfway down it tracks rather poorly and is susceptible to wind/waves. A lot of that has to do with just being a shorter boat so I just keep the skeg always down and deal with the slow turning. This is more of an HV boat and at 6'4" I love the fit. Not too tight, not too "loose" like the S12. It actually feels a touch more stable than the S12 but is faster to boot making the shorter boat obsolete.

[@davidmiller4594]

Thats is one beautiful boat

[@clahr7671]

Ok - sold! Just purchased Advantage - you’re bringing it Portland Kayak soon! Thanks again for helping find my 2nd boat. 🙌💫🌅

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Heck yeah!

[@gradyrm237]

You have the greatest job. All I want is a place to demo kayaks. I'm in central PA. I'll travel to outfitters to demo.

[@TerryW5379]

Dan that was awesome, the water was so clean. It looked like you were having a blast. I’m guessing when your going through the rapids with your paddle down that it gives you stability. I wish we had pristine water like that in the Midwest. Thanks

[@wingmanhoy3999]

Awesome beautiful paddle and review, thank you, all the very best.

[@katiebethhughes7688]

I recently moved to the east coast from Redding so it was great being out on the Sac with ya! Nice boat 👍🏻

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Nice. Hope your new home is treating you well. I'm a recent transplant to Redding and I'm enjoying it very much.

[@parzable]

Just great. Had to watch it again. ☝️

[@andrewthompson9072]

You're a ninja with that paddle! Goals

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks Andrew. I enjoy the feel of the paddle sliding through the water.

[@kevinwaters-marsh217]

Man that looked like sooooooo much fun. I'm in Sydney Australia and just joined your channel.... Love your video's. Thanks

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks for coming along.

[@andrewdavies4604]

Love the looks of it, great colour and graphics.

[@djslewis]

A skeg AND rudder? Talk about pinpoint accuracy! Ha! Love the addition of those hip bags - didn't know that was a thing, but super effective! Great video as always, Dan!

[@duncanbullock1328]

looks a fantastic kayak. one i have thought about replacing my NDK Romany with.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

A little bit more stable and recreational than a Romany, but just as fast and significantly lighter. Cockpit has more space for getting in and out as well.

[@duncanbullock1328]

@@HeadwatersKayak fantastic. all good information. Thank you

[@janmende3204]

Great and interesting video . Thank you . Greeting from Rostock ( germany) Now i will buy the s14 mod.

[@Clambelly]

MORE ROCKER -- Definitely needs more rocker for surf. I would like to see P&H Aires on that wave

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Not a great surf boat, but fun getting to the wave. I surf a Sterling Reflection out here and that’s a blast. Haven’t paddled an Aires but would love to. I’ve got a Melker I’m testing now that I need to get up there. Flows are low now so the wave is meh.

[@AllThingsFabrication]

$3 to $4k for a Chinese built boat? Not a chance in hell.

[@dave.in.oregon]

Were those the Astral Loyak shoes? They're SUPER grippy and very comfy to wear.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

These are Astral Lowyaks. My go to river shoe.

[@chrisdahl1042]

Dan, your content is really great. I'd appreciate your input on two questions. In part due to your vids and other reading, plus super-responsive ownership at Stellar, I really want to like the S14. I've been in a Pungo for a couple years and want to get a faster/lighter boat for river, lake, and close-in off-shore paddling, with some capacity for gear. The S14 checks the boxes but I find that I really struggle with this boat unless the skeg is fully deployed if there is moderate breeze or current. Does that indicate my paddle technique needs improvement and with more time in the boat I should expect to get past that? Second question: I am comparing the S14 to the Epic 14x - any thoughts on the Epic? I find it similarly fast, it probably fits me better, and I feel much more in control without the rudder down, but I'm not sure I want a rudder all the time. Thanks!!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Catboat is really designed around the youth of a writer. Without it your dependent on the Skeg being down which is great.

[@chrisdahl1042]

@@HeadwatersKayak "Catboat?" I don't understand your reply.

[@paddlefaster]

I've generally been happy with Stellar products but not so much this year. The quality in their manufacturer in China seems to have come down a few notches. A couple boats I've seen have had issues including one that I spent a lot of money on. Switching over to Epic in the future. I wonder if you've ever paddled a GPX how it would compare to that 14?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I’m sorry to hear that. Have you had issues with multiple boats or just one? I’ve seen a lot of Stellars out west and I’ve been impressed with the build quality so far. The GPX looks very cool. Kinda futuristic but I like it. I have not paddles one yet.

[@paddlefaster]

@@HeadwatersKayak it's generally small stuff. They made a decision to lay up their carbon fiber boats with polyurethane paint on top of the carbon fiber and the clear coat. Most manufacturers at least put the clear coat over the paint. You can feel a ridge between the paint and the carbon fiber. Top Builders like think and Epic tape the mold to create a recess for the paint to go into Stellar decided not to do this. Other issues I have with my surf ski are the bailer is cut 3/8 of an inch off center from the base of the footboard. Not a structural defect but it shouldn't be like that for a $6,000 boat. Drives me nuts when I'm doing Marathon paddles and I have to stare at it. Little bit of dry delamination here and there. I saw the paint problem on a 14 at a local dealer, I think they were sending it back to stellar. In fairness to the company they gave me some money back but it's still unacceptable for such a high price item. I've never paddled the GPX but I've heard it doesn't track very well without a Skeg a lot of people are adding this on after the fact. On paper I think the Stellar might be a faster boat just because of the water line.

[@billb3374]

Great review as always.

[@outdooradventurenorway]

Hi Dan. Greatings from Norway 🙋‍♂️🇧🇻 My girl got et good by on a stellar s-14-sport ( from a 73 old lady) The kayak was 5 times in freshwater...looks like New. But I don't find any number's online. Do you have som info or can get? Thank you 🤙

[@windsup2day]

Dan - That is the exact boat I am looking for. I am a strong paddler. Vurrently have a Fathom 16'6" but I am looking for a lightweight 14' (getting older - a little less nimble). I need to hit 5 mph for a race next April. Doable? Any rec on a paddle for peak performance? Thanks, Dan. Love your videos.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

It’s a great kayak and not much slower than a Fathom and way lighter! Where are you from? Would love to help you find a demo.

[@windsup2day]

@HeadwatersKayak I live on the seacoast of NH. I would love to demo one. There is a dealer in Raymond, NH that I am friendly with that said I can demo one of his, but he may only have the 14' surfski/Puffin. I know he has a 12...he may have a 14 as well. I saw you were on the Connecticut River at one point...lol..up in my neck of the woods. I think the woman, Deb, that takes all the calls for Stellar only loves 15-20 minutes from where I work in York, Me. I live right outside of Portsmouth, NH, in a small town called Newmarket near Great Bay.

[@thum9767]

how would you compare to the Stellar S14 sit on top? I ask cause I prefer sit on top and curious to know if there's a ding on performance?

[@sfmarckx]

Is the Stellar 14 a kayak I could learn to roll with? I'm looking for a lightweight kayak for exploring shorelines around Port Townsend, WA, but I'm also hoping to learn to roll a kayak. Would this boat work for that? Thank you! All the best, Scott

[@HeadwatersKayak]

It can be rolled, but it’s not the easiest boat to learn to roll in. It’s fairly wide in the hips for rolling. It is a great boat for someone who wants a compact stable light touring kayak that can keep up with longer 16-17 sea kayaks.

[@sfmarckx]

Thank you! This is really helpful information. All the best, Scott

[@unclefart5527]

Looks like a floating billboard.

[@ЮрійС-е1н]

Nice kayak!

[@richardbergmark6722]

Many thanks!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

You're welcome!

[@LJ-jq8og]

🙏

[@ryanyoung6121]

What kind of water shoes did you have?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Astral Low Yaks

[@ryanyoung6121]

@@HeadwatersKayak Thank you!

[@ronaldruntenelli7700]

What does a boat like that cost?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Around $4000

[@banog42]

I've got a a dagger stratos 14.5s how is it compared to that?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Similar stability. Stellar maybe a touch more stable. Stellar is far more efficient. The dagger has better tracking and a very responsive edge. Obviously plastic takes a bigger hit so it’s more durable. Cockpit and outfitting on the dagger is far more engaging. I actually use Dagger hip pads to connect to this boat better.

[@banog42]

@@HeadwatersKayak thanks for the reply. Really happy with the dagger but the weight of the stellar does appeal

[@philipwalters5254]

Would you have an opinion on a S14LV which is shorter and narrower compared to the Stratos? Going into in slighter bigger but similar wave?

[@davidgeorge-powell9041]

Is this the G1 OR G2

[@HeadwatersKayak]

G2