2015 Stellar SR

Has anyone had a paddle in the new 2015 Stellar SR?

I'm still a novice and have paddled a V8, blue fin, s18S and the old SR and am trying to line up a test paddle of the new SR.

Has anyone paddled one yet?

FOF,

The 2015 SR I've paddled(downwind) 8 out of the last 12 days!
For the record: At best - I'm an average 'C' grade paddler - some days not even that. I have no ties to Stellar - other than I own a few of their skis. I'm a big guy 6'2" well over 110kg

I have in my quiver (i have others too):
S18S - Excel (new model)
SR (old model) Excel - its for sale! in excellent condition.
SR (2015) - Excel (12 days old)

The original SR is a great ski - the new model is better!

The new SR - I love it...Cockpit is smaller/shorter, ergo dynamic - functional, bucket is different too. Handles are good(light/strong) cockpit is further forward gets on runs a lot easier - yet it doesn't nose dive - surfs really well. Feels like it has more freeboard (not sure) but it is a lot dryer ride - twin venturis they work great too. In my book this ski is a winner - do yourself a favour - try one.

I'll post some footage from last night (Thursday).

How does the stability between the old and new compare? Any sense of a speed difference in flat water?

Bill

Bill, I have not paddled it much in flat water (other than a small section inside the harbour at both ends of a downwinder) - I haven't paid any real attention to its speed on flat water - I didn't get this ski for flat water paddling - I have other skis for that.
No doubt at all - its faster downwind - surfs and manoeuvres better.
Stability - I still have days with my vestibular disorder (balance) so I'm no expert and perhaps the wrong person to ask. In 8 paddles in the SR(2015) - it's yet to throw me - i've paddled it in winds upto 26knots (I don't go out in less than 16knots)- I did try some remounts in the harbour after a downwinder the other day - just so I knew i could get back in - no issue there.
Best bet - see if you can try one on an extended paddle - It takes awhile to get use to a new ski/bucket - I think you'll love it!

MaxB,

A tad harsh...The ski was only launched late December!

The SR arrived in Perth on the 12th of Jan - And I had one by 10:00am!

I'm a customer of Stellar - albeit in Perth - I've had nothing short of excellent sales, service & supply from my local dealer (Go Paddle Sports) and I've had some issues whereby I've had to deal with Stellar Australia / Gordon Clubb (The boss) very fair and excellent to deal with...(a stark contrast to the other mob). speak with him directly and give them a chance before bagging them out publicly.

FWIW: get out from behind the pseudonym too - be judged as you've judged.

No one around here has one and won't for months. I don't think any will show up until april when the spring shiplpment comes in from china. Not sure about that though.

Bill

Simon,

the orig. SR is unfortunately icipici too tight for my wide hip bones, what's the difference between the old and the new bucket? Is the 2015 maybe slightly wider?

Laz, good question - I hadn't noticed...I've still own the old model...I'll get them both out later today and try them on the stands - I'll get back to you later.

Laz, short answer; You'll have to try it yourself - We are all different in shape & size.

I'm a big guy 6'2" (well over 110kg - yeah fat - I know).

It took a couple of times paddling the new SR to get really comfortable...Worth it - I find the new one more form/body fitting.

Here are two videos shot from the rear:
2013 built SR:
2015 SR:

Some photos of the two SR (2015 on the right with SR on the 'Bonet')

A couple more photos of the SR

Thanks for the photo! It helps a lot in trying yo get an idea about the changes. If it's still easy for you could you take some photos of the bottoms and bows, any highlighting of differences would really help. If not, thanks again for posting what you have.

The narrower catch and smaller volume cockpit are welcome features.

Bill

Thanks for the feedback Simon.
From what I understand the seat is similar to the SEI, a bit more rounded at the back.
I hope to try one out on Saturday.
I've attached the official blurb for reference

i noticed you fitted a Anderson Bailer to your SR would of made a big difference to the single drain on it. at least on the 2015 they fixed the problem adding dual drains to it

In the photo SR-2 it looks like there is a small jam cleat on the back of the rudder peddles. Is this something you put on or a new addition?


Also.. With the skis side by side can you see any difference in the rocker between the two?

Thanks for fielding all the questions.. I'm very interested in the new SR but there isn't one around for me to look at.

Bill.

Newbflat, I have taken several photo's of the bottom on both I can see no real difference at all. I'll attach them below. I've taken them in the twilight so the shadows help highlight the lines better.




I think the difference is in the foredeck, cockpit moved forward and in the side profile/increased cockpit sides. Moving the cockpit forward certainly helps it catch runs earlier - this ski does surf better. Having a higher peaked foredeck helps shed water faster too and less comes into the cockpit.

SV607, the twin bailers certainly get rid of the water faster than one - My personal preference is for an Andersen bailer because you can close it and have totally flat bottom - from experience I know that it skids better than having protrusions underneath...But only if you can operate it on the fly...




FOF, the seat is from the same family as the SEI perhaps a closer relative than the old SR but it is not the same - I have an insert I made for my SEI and it doesn't fit.



Bill, don't tell anyone - there are a number of 'custom mods' I do when I buy a new ski - the little cleats behind the pedal is just one!

Some more photos of the ski

It dose look similar except for a slight pinch at the catch. Plus it looks like the bullets are in the to right place!... Sweet!

So the only other change besides the bow shape above the waterline and catch is that they moved the seat 8cm forward, at least things that would change the performance of the ski. What do you atribuit the new feel/ performance too seeing as the bottom looks basically the same?

Thanks for taking the time to do that. I owe you a beer, fully redeemable in Seattle.

Bill

Oh, and those cleats are a nice simple idea.

Is the rudder on the new SR further forward or is the ski just further forward?

Bill

Pretty sure (I haven't measured with a ruler) the rudder is in the same position.

Not sure on the 80mm cockpit measurement doesn't look that much IMHO - it is further forward...Its just different!

But i do have lovely (sub 11kg) SR Excel(2013) for sale - surplus to my requirements.

Simon thanks for the pic's.
It seems to me if the 2015 SR have a bit less thickness on the gunwales and more rounded too. Unfortunately we don't have any 2015 SR here in the EU yet,
time will tell.