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S Class Herreshoff
Designer: N. Herreshoff  ·  Builder: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.(Usa)  ·  First built: 1919
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About the S Class Herreshoff

Built between 1919 and 1941 by the legendary Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, this elegant 27.5-foot sloop represents classic American yacht design at its finest. Nathanael Herreshoff's creation embodies the perfect balance between performance and seaworthiness that made the "Wizard of Bristol" famous worldwide. With its traditional wood-planked hull and fin keel configuration, the S Class delivers impressive sailing characteristics for both competitive racing and coastal cruising. The fractional sloop rig provides excellent sail handling, while the generous ballast-to-displacement ratio of nearly 50% ensures solid stability and confident performance in challenging conditions. At 6,750 pounds displacement, she's substantial enough for serious offshore work yet responsive enough for spirited day sailing. The design's moderate beam and fine entry create an efficient hull form that moves easily through the water, making her well-suited for both club racing and extended coastal passages. Her comfort ratio of 33.45 suggests excellent motion characteristics, while the low capsize screening value indicates exceptional stability margins. Only 95 examples were built during the model's 22-year production run, making surviving S Class yachts highly sought after by collectors and sailing enthusiasts who appreciate authentic Herreshoff craftsmanship and timeless design principles.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.50 ft / 6.25 m
Beam 7.17 ft / 2.19 m
Max Draft 4.75 ft / 1.45 m
Displacement 6,750.00 lb / 3,062 kg
Ballast 3,350.00 lb / 1,520 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 431.00 ft² / 40.04 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood planked
Designer N. Herreshoff
Builder Herreshoff Manufacturing Co.(USA)
First Built 1919
Last Built 1941
Number Built 95
Associations Herreshoff Marine Museum
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
19.37
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
49.63
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
349.78
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
33.45
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.52
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.07 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.54
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 525.19 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 19.38
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 21.80 ft / 6.64 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 36.40 ft / 11.09 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.60 ft / 5.67 m
SA Fore 92.65 ft² / 8.61 m²
SA Main 338.52 ft² / 31.45 m²
SA Total (100%) 431.17 ft² / 40.06 m²
Est. Forestay Length 23.40 ft / 7.13 m
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