S2 8.5

The S2 8.5, also called the S2 8.5A, is an American sailboat that was designed by Arthur Edmunds as a cruiser and first built in 1980. The designation indicates the approximate length overall in meters.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

S2 8.5

Development
Designer	Arthur Edmunds
Location	United States
Year	1980
No. built	103
Builder(s)	S2 Yachts
Role	Cruiser
Name	S2 8.5
Boat
Displacement	7,600 lb (3,447 kg)
Draft	4.50 ft (1.37 m)
Hull
Type	monohull
Construction	fiberglass
LOA	28.00 ft (8.53 m)
LWL	22.50 ft (6.86 m)
Beam	9.50 ft (2.90 m)
Engine type	Yanmar 1GM 8 hp (6 kW) diesel engine
Hull appendages
Keel/board type	fin keel
Ballast	3,000 lb (1,361 kg)
Rudder(s)	internally-mounted spade-type rudder
Rig
Rig type	Bermuda rig
I foretriangle height	37.00 ft (11.28 m)
J foretriangle base	11.00 ft (3.35 m)
P mainsail luff	31.00 ft (9.45 m)
E mainsail foot	12.00 ft (3.66 m)
Sails
Sailplan	masthead sloop
Mainsail area	186.00 sq ft (17.280 m2)
Jib/genoa area	203.50 sq ft (18.906 m2)
Total sail area	389.50 sq ft (36.186 m2)

Production

The design was built by S2 Yachts in Holland, Michigan, United States, starting in 1980, with 103 boats completed, but it is now out of production.^[1][4][7][8]

Design

The S2 8.5 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a raked stem, a reverse transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a wheel, with an emergency back-up tiller and a fixed fin keel or optional shoal draft keel. It displaces 7,600 lb (3,447 kg) and carries 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) of lead ballast.^[1][4]

The boat has a draft of 4.50 ft (1.37 m) with the standard keel and 3.92 ft (1.19 m) with the optional shoal draft keel.^[1][4][2][5]

The boat is fitted with a Japanese Yanmar 1GM diesel engine of 8 hp (6 kW) for docking and maneuvering. A few early production boats had BMW diesel inboards. The fuel tank holds 18 U.S. gallons (68 L; 15 imp gal) and the fresh water tank has a capacity of 37 U.S. gallons (140 L; 31 imp gal).^[1][4]

The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin along with a folding table that seats four, plus two straight settee berths in the main cabin. The galley is located to the port side at the companionway and is equipped with a two-burner stove, an icebox and a sink. The fully-enclosed head is located just aft of the bow cabin and includes a shower. Cabin headroom is 72 in (183 cm).^[9]

The design has a hull speed of 6.36 kn (11.78 km/h).^[4][5]

Operational history

In a 2000 review in Practical Sailor, Darrell Nicholson wrote, "the S2 8.5 is a good boat for cruising the Great Lakes or any coast in comfort and a certain amount of style. Her appearance may be a little modern for traditionalists, with her straight sheer and European-style cabin windows. Pricey? Yes, but when you look at the things that go into the boat—the rig, good sails, and a comfortable, well finished interior—the price may seem a bit less painful. You still pay for what you get."^[9]

See also

• List of sailing boat types