STELLAR S14 G2

After travelling 300 km on the Danube and Main, sometimes with a lot of luggage, I would like to give you some brief feedback on my Stellar S 14 G2, which is now a year old. I myself am male, 74 years old and after 10 years I have given up my b...

After travelling 300 km on the Danube and Main, sometimes with a lot of luggage, I would like to give you some brief feedback on my Stellar S 14 G2, which is now a year old. I myself am male, 74 years old and after 10 years I have given up my beloved, but in the long run too heavy, two-seater Aerius Klepper folding boat. I came across the Stellar brand in the advertising supplement of a paddling magazine. The low weight of 16.5 kg (Layup Multisport) with additional equipment made me curious. So we went camping in the Black Forest and made a detour to Eschbach in Breisgau.
First of all: the advice in Eschbach was very pleasant, not intrusive, with good advice and very knowledgeable. A test drive with various boats on the Rhine would have been possible, but I was only interested in the S 14 because it seemed best suited to my needs. Well, the elegant kayak is not a bargain, but high-quality modern materials and perfect craftsmanship cost a little more.
I was immediately taken with the boat with the grey and white canopy and orange coaming. Slim and sleek, with a long keel line, Swedish shape, i.e. wide just behind the entrance hatch and then narrow again. With my short height of 1.68 m, the 15 LV would certainly have been an option, but I really liked the high initial stability and the very high load capacity (155 kg) of the S 14 G2.
In addition, with its length of 4.36 metres, the kayak is easy to transport and can also be stored in most garages. The relatively low weight has a very positive effect when lifting it onto the car roof. It is also easy to carry around the weirs and locks (with a boat trolley!) and down the often steep steps.

But the most important thing: how does it paddle?

Climbing into the relatively large seat hatch is probably easy even for tall people. Despite its high initial stability, it is advisable to enter in the centre, otherwise the boat will tip over quite a bit. The kayak quickly picks up speed with just a few paddle strokes. The slim design (mixture of U- and V-frame), the good length over the entire waterline, the low weight and the very smooth outer skin allow you to glide along smoothly and quickly, even over many kilometres without too much effort. If necessary, you can also really step on the gas with the boat (approx. 10 km/h). But if you don't extend the standard skeg, you paddle a bit like on eggs, and at some point the boat will break sideways. With a skeg, even if only a third of it is in the water, the boat is very stable. So don't forget to extend the skeg and retract it when the water is low! With the push lever on the right-hand side, this is no problem at all.
On long trips, I enjoy the freedom of movement in the boat because of its width (62 cm). I can also put things that I need quickly next to me. The adjustable footrests and the fixed thigh supports (I cut out parts of a sleeping mat and glued them on, so direct contact with the boat is more comfortable) provide contact with the boat. I cushioned the adjustable but somewhat spartan hard plastic back support with a slightly inflated back cushion. This also supports the lumbar spine on long journeys. And also good: the bottle holder directly in front of the seat. One thing I wouldn't want to do without is a light fair-weather fabric cover with elasticated band around the coaming at the front of the seat hatch, which was sewn by my wife. This protects the legs from the sun and catches drops of water from the paddle.
I ordered the additional stern rudder for the boat. In unfavourable crosswinds, it is helpful to keep the course without having to constantly correct it with the paddle, otherwise I rarely need it. Apopros Wind: When the boat is lightly loaded, its slightly higher footwell gives the wind a certain surface area to attack, but as mentioned below, there is plenty of space inside. Larger waves from the front hardly disturb the kayak and waves from the side (e.g. from motorboats) can be rocked out nicely.
You need a lot of luggage for multi-day trips with a tent. You can safely store important items in the day hatch - within easy reach of the seat. For luggage, there is a large, watertight hatch in the foredeck with a rather slim luggage compartment (57 litres) and a very large hatch in the stern (125 litres). A lot fits in here, so nothing really needs to be secured to the deck. Rubber tensioning cords are provided fore and aft, so you can securely fasten wet paddle shoes to dry or the boat line within easy reach. However, I have to lash my folded boat trolley with removable pneumatic rubber tyres with its somewhat wide axle to the deck, directly behind the seat.
The materials used (carbon and Kevlar) can withstand a bump due to their low weight, but the smooth, clear gelcoat is somewhat sensitive to scratches, especially with sharp stones or other obstacles in the water, as well as when mooring against a concrete wall, e.g. in locks. In my opinion, the laminated keel strip is a must for a material-friendly landing on a sand or gravel bank. It protects the entire keel line and especially the underside.
My conclusion: The Stellar S 14 G2 is a light, fast, directionally stable and easy to steer kayak, not quite cheap, but well worth the price. The boat is also suitable for beginners. Fun and enjoyment are guaranteed on an evening trip, an interesting day trip or an adventurous multi-day tour with luggage. And don't forget, people will always talk to you about your beautiful boat!

I bought the Stellar S14 G2 3 years ago. I was looking for a lightweight, versatile kayak - suitable for large and heavy paddlers. I really liked the look of the S14 and so I only bought it after trying it out. I've never regretted it - because...

I bought the Stellar S14 G2 3 years ago. I was looking for a lightweight, versatile kayak - suitable for large and heavy paddlers. I really liked the look of the S14 and so I only bought it after trying it out. I've never regretted it - because it's a boat full of surprises.

Before the seat test, I had some reservations - but the boat fit like a well-fitting pair of jeans. That's how it should be, especially with boats that come without a rudder like the S14 G2. I took the first trip out on a quarry pond - to minimise the risk of not getting to grips with the boat. My concerns were completely unfounded - as soon as I got on board, the boat exuded confidence without anchoring "degenerating into work", for example. First impression: A manoeuvrable boat - without the skeg activated - a very manoeuvrable boat that only advanced paddlers with a clean paddling style can paddle straight ahead. With the skeg, it goes straight ahead as if on rails without losing too much of its manoeuvrability.

Placed on the edge and held there and paddled only with a forward stroke - it goes cleanly in a circle of approx. 20 m in diameter - with the skeg. Wow - I've never managed that with any boat before. If you deactivate the skeg, it picks up speed a little and indicates a bow stroke - it's better not to edge as well: The centrifugal force is enormous, as the boat turns very quickly. You stand with the bow against the direction of travel and glide backwards. Great fun - if you get involved. You also need to be careful when entering eddies and lean nicely into the bend so that you don't suddenly have to brace yourself.

One thing is certain: this boat doesn't need a rudder. It can be steered so well by anchoring that you don't even need manoeuvres such as a stern rudder or bow rudder most of the time. The flat floor under the cockpit makes it possible. Lateral manoeuvring - to avoid an obstacle - is child's play. And the flat floor ensures something else. The boat surfs that it is a joy. Whether downwind on the quarry pond or upstream on the Middle Elbe with a tailwind against the current. It's great fun. Over time, you forget that you are actually sailing a "recreational kayak". That's what it is, but it can do much more.

Tested at 6-7 BFT on Lake Kummerow - wave fun at its best. No "weather vane effect" - the boat stays on course. Skeg adjuster failed - fully loaded with camping equipment up the Alte Fahrt - near Mirow. No problem: under full load without skeg - the boat runs straight ahead - and fast. This "short, fat boat" always encourages a few drivers of sleek sea kayaks or the occasional touring pair with father and son to try to overtake - but they don't really want to succeed.

Not only does it run long, the wetted area on the hull should also be small - and it is. Anyway, this made me curious and I wanted to know how fast the boat runs in a sprint. As I wanted to watch, a sports friend of mine - a little lighter than me (95 kg) - put the GPS on and sprinted off. A top speed of 12.5 km/h - then the stern wave became so big that the boat reminded me of an ocean-going tugboat at full speed. ... But still - the value is very good for a 14-footer - and explains my experience.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to test the boat in the surf - you should catch up on that. One more comment on the multisport layup of the hull: it is very robust and can withstand the occasional contact with gravel banks without visible damage. Unfortunately, the extended skeg tolerates this somewhat less well - unless the skeg adjuster slides really easily. Then the very stiff skeg wire can kink and the silent loss of the skeg is the inevitable consequence. This is not a major problem. The complete skeg is a spare part and replacing it takes about 10 minutes. My only wish for Stellar would be a tightly closing day hatch. The model installed at the time was not tight.

The Stellar S14 G2 can do a lot: big water, small water, full load with camping equipment, being hoisted onto a small car on its own, an after-work lap upstream against a 4.5 km/h current, having fun in waves and wind - and there's nothing it can't do - if the rider weighs a maximum of 95 kg and wants to maximise the speed potential. That's exactly why I sold the S14 G2 after 2 years of use and a lot of fun - and replaced it with a Stellar S18 Exp, which is better suited to my weight class. All in all, a great boat for all occasions.

(Translated from French, via Google):
I decided to buy an S14 G2 and I am very happy with the decision.
What convinced me to buy it from Lite Venture are the following points: >
- They are close to where I ...

(Translated from French, via Google):
I decided to buy an S14 G2 and I am very happy with the decision.
What convinced me to buy it from Lite Venture are the following points: >
- They are close to where I live.
- They have a lot of stock, so choice and you can touch the products (whether in the kayak, paddle and accessories). I was able to do a test on a body of water near my home.
- They are very professional and take the time to explain everything.
Why I chose the Stellar S14 G2: >
- I can use it both on the sea and on the lake.
- It weighs only 16.5kg (2 people can easily mount it on my 3m high motorhome.
- It is only 4.36 cm long.
- With a width of 62 cm, it is very stable for a beginner like me (getting in and out is easy, which is reassuring)
- The retractable skeg
- I didn't want to have a rudder at first, but I have to say that it is very comfortable in windy conditions, you keep rowing normally and operate the rudder with your foot. -
- I am 1.80m tall and weigh 92kg. I am very happy with the kayak, I made the right choice following Lite Venture's advice. Many thanks to the entire Lite Venture team