Every kayak has an origin story. In the best designs, that raison d’être is described in every detail, from the hull shape and material choice to the placement of hatches and deck fittings. So it is with Stellar’s light touring flagship, the S14.
Drawing on Stellar’s expertise in crafting ultralight surf skis and Olympic rowing shells, the S14 reshaped paddlers’ perceptions of 14-foot kayaks. It broke the stable-yet-sluggish mold and offered day- and weekend trippers something else entirely—a sleek and stylish pocket rocket with all the performance and safety features of a full-size sea kayak finessed into a compact package. And thanks to Stellar’s advanced composite construction, it did so while trimming up to 30 percent off the weight of its lightest rivals.
Stellar S14 G2 Mod Specs
Length: 14’4”
Width: 24.4”
Weight: 42.5 lbs
Capacity: 340 lbs
MSRP: $5,370 USD
stellarkayaks.com
Kayak Review: Stellar’s Modular S14 G2
Released in 2024, a three-piece sectional version of the second-generation (G2) S14 promises light touring paddlers even greater versatility. Traditionally, sectional kayaks have served two purposes. First, they offered a solution for elite expedition paddlers traveling to demanding, hard-to-reach locations (think Siberia’s Kamchatka Peninsula or South America’s Tierra del Fuego). More recently, modular kayaks have sought to simplify storage and transportation for condo dwellers, van-lifers and anyone who aspires to actually use their garage for parking vehicles. And while the burgeoning travel and portable kayaks market means there are more sectional options than ever before, I’m excited to see Stellar’s take on take-apart boats.
Here’s the thing about sectional kayaks, their design assumes an inherent compromise: weight versus rigidity. A sectional kayak has not one, but two bulkheads wherever the pieces join. This ensures the structural integrity of both the individual sections and the fully assembled kayak. The hardware joining the sections is another key consideration. I’ve paddled modular kayaks that snapped together in a flash but sagged at the seams under load. I’ve also tested sectionals that felt fine in the water but required such surgical precision to assemble, the less dextrous among us are tempted to give up in frustration.
For the modular S14, Stellar used lightweight yet durable carbon bulkheads to minimize weight without jeopardizing strength. Straightforward, watertight thumb screw assembly is aided by generously sized hatch openings to facilitate access. With six screws to secure from the stern hatch and six more from the front hatch, I’m fiddling and twiddling for less than five minutes before my teal-and-yellow tester is ready to paddle. The best part? There’s no hull flexion and the seams are all but invisible—you’d never guess this was a sectional kayak until you peeked inside the hatches.
At only four pounds heavier than the standard, the modular version boasts nearly identical paddling characteristics. On the water, I really can’t tell the difference. Just like the original, the shallow-V hull is optimized for speed and quick acceleration with a narrow, knife-like bow and minimal rocker to maximize waterline. Soft chines reduce drag and have a smooth, continuous feel, making it easy to initiate gentle edged turns. Cutaways on the front deck enable an efficient catch and forward stroke. Even chopped into three pieces and screwed back together, the S14 is unquestionably among the fastest 14-foot kayaks on the water, cruising at a steady four or five knots and easily keeping pace with longer touring kayaks.
Fast and light doesn’t mean experts only. Stellar kept the widest part of the hull behind the cockpit for added volume and stability without compromising paddling efficiency. The cockpit is comfortably appointed for all-day tours and there’s ample space in the two watertight hatches for packing camping essentials. An integrated adjustable skeg ensures user-friendly tracking in all conditions (although the slider control placement on the stern deck takes some getting used to). There are even pre-installed fittings for an optional Smart Track rudder, should you prefer.
“C’mon, what’s the catch?” I can hear you asking. Stellar’s sectional S14 kayak is priced $1,300 higher than the standard version, but for many paddlers the convenience is sure to offset the cost.
For those who enjoy paddling solo as well as with a friend, partner or family member, there’s another upside to Stellar’s modular engineering. Released alongside the three-piece S14, Stellar’s new ST19 Mod seamlessly integrates an additional piece—a second cockpit—for a sectional kayak that transforms from solo to tandem paddling in just a couple of minutes. Now, that’s a neat trick.
The original Stellar S14’s versatile combo of speed, light weight, premium materials and performance handling put it top-of-class among 14-foot light touring kayaks. Now, the S14 G2 Mod is poised to do the same for portable kayaks.
This article was published in Issue 73 of Paddling Magazine. Stellar’s three-piece modular S14 doesn’t scrimp on performance for portability. | Feature photo: Kaydi Pyette
