Tanzer 8.5

The Tanzer 8.5 is a Canadian sailboat, that was designed by Johann Tanzer and first built in 1978.

Production
The boat was built by Tanzer Industries Limited in Dorion, Quebec. The company entered bankruptcy in 1986 and production had ended by then.

Design
The Tanzer 8.5 is a small recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fibreglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a transom-hung rudder and a fixed fin keel. The boat displaces 7400 lb and carries 3000 lb of ballast.

The boat is powered by a Japanese-made Yanmar diesel engine, supplied by a fuel tank with a capacity of 15 USgal. It also has a fresh water tank of 15 USgal capacity.

The boat has a PHRF racing average handicap of 201 with a high of 192 and low of 234. It has a hull speed of 6.53 kn.

Operational history
In a review Michael McGoldrick wrote, "The Tanzer 28 was replaced by the completely redesigned Tanzer 8.5 in 1979. Although both are 28 footers, the 8.5 is a nicer looking boat... The Tanzer 8.5 looks like a sleeker version of the Tanzer 26, and some of its cabin cushions and other components are interchangeable with the 26 foot model. Nevertheless, the 8.5 is a much larger boat inside and out, and comes with wide side decks and an inboard diesel engine. Its owners report that is also a fairly fast boat."