The S2 27 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 23.3′, the S2 27 tops out around 6.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √23.3′ LWL = 6.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
19.2
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
40.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
176
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
16.4
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.17
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
18.8
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
771lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
16.4
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.17
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the S2 27 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Soverel 27
138s/nm
Tanzer 27
216s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.7 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.8 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.5 kts),
SA/D (19.2), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the S2 27 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–20 kts
20–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the S2 27.
|
S2 27 |
Cal 3 27 |
Cc 27 Mk V |
Hunter 265 |
Soverel 27 |
Tanzer 27 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
26.6 |
26.7 |
26.5 |
26.6 |
26.5 |
26.6 |
| LWL |
23.3 |
23.3 |
23.0 |
22.4 |
21.9 |
22.5 |
| Beam |
9.3 |
9.0 |
9.3 |
9.0 |
8.8 |
9.5 |
| Displacement |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
| Ballast |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
350 |
336 |
342 |
304 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
— |
138 |
216 |
| SA/Disp |
19.2 |
18.0 |
20.4 |
18.2 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
40.0 |
38.5 |
38.8 |
40.9 |
41.0 |
36.3 |
| Comfort |
16.4 |
17.7 |
14.7 |
15.4 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
2.17 |
2.08 |
2.26 |
2.20 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.4 |
6.3 |
— |
— |