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.

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.

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 7600 lb and carries 3000 lb of lead ballast.

The boat has a draft of 4.50 ft with the standard keel and 3.92 ft with the optional shoal draft keel.

The boat is fitted with a Japanese Yanmar 1GM diesel engine of 8 hp for docking and maneuvering. A few early production boats had BMW diesel inboards. The fuel tank holds 18 u.s.gal and the fresh water tank has a capacity of 37 u.s.gal.

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.

The design has a hull speed of 6.36 kn.

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."