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S2 79
Designer: Graham & Schlageter  ·  Builder: S2 Yachts  ·  First built: 1981
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About the S2 79

Built by S2 Yachts from 1981 onward, this 26-foot fractional sloop represents a thoughtful approach to small boat cruising with its distinctive lifting keel configuration. The Graham & Schlageter design strikes an appealing balance between performance and practicality, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures where shallow water access is desired. The lifting keel feature sets this boat apart from many competitors in its size range, allowing sailors to explore thin waters and simplify trailering while maintaining respectable sailing performance when the keel is deployed. With 545 hulls produced, the design clearly found its market among sailors seeking versatility without sacrificing seaworthiness. The boat's fiberglass construction and moderate proportions suggest good stability and predictable handling characteristics. The fractional rig provides efficient sail handling and reduces weather helm, particularly beneficial for single-handed or short-handed sailing. Her sail area-to-displacement ratio indicates respectable performance in light to moderate conditions, while the comfort ratio suggests she's built more for cruising enjoyment than racing speed. This design appeals particularly to sailors who value the flexibility of shallow draft capability combined with traditional sailing qualities, making her an interesting choice for those exploring varied coastal waters.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$5,000 – $5,000
typical asking price
Median $5,000  ·  1 listing used
All listings
$5,000 – $5,000 1
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.92 ft / 7.90 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.67 ft / 6.61 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Min Draft 1.12 ft / 0.34 m
Displacement 4,250.00 lb / 1,928 kg
Ballast 1,675.00 lb / 760 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 329.00 ft² / 30.57 m²
Headroom 5.42 ft / 1.65 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Graham & Schlageter
Builder S2 Yachts
First Built 1981
Number Built 545
Associations S2 7.9 Class Association
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
20.12
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
39.41
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
186.45
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
15.33
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
2.23
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. 6.24 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
3.21
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. 696.86 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. 19.88
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 30.50 ft / 9.30 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.50 ft / 2.90 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 29.42 ft / 8.97 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
SA Fore 144.88 ft² / 13.46 m²
SA Main 180.20 ft² / 16.74 m²
SA Total (100%) 325.08 ft² / 30.20 m²
Est. Forestay Length 31.95 ft / 9.74 m
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 6 gals / 23 L
How It Compares

vs. Capri 26 Catalina, Chrysler 26, Impulse 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
S2 79 ★
25.9 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
26.0 ft
Chrysler 26
26.0 ft
Impulse 26
26.0 ft
LWL
S2 79 ★
21.7 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
22.5 ft
Chrysler 26
22.0 ft
Impulse 26
21.6 ft
Beam
S2 79 ★
9.0 ft
Capri 26 Catalina
9.1 ft
Chrysler 26
8.0 ft
Impulse 26
8.4 ft
Displacement
S2 79 ★
4 lbs
Capri 26 Catalina
4 lbs
Chrysler 26
5 lbs
Impulse 26
2 lbs
Ballast
S2 79 ★
1 lbs
Capri 26 Catalina
1 lbs
Chrysler 26
1 lbs
Impulse 26
1 lbs
Sail Area
S2 79 ★
329 sq ft
Capri 26 Catalina
268 sq ft
Chrysler 26
Impulse 26
327 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
S2 79 ★
Capri 26 Catalina
213 s/nm
Chrysler 26
228 s/nm
Impulse 26
135 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
S2 79 ★
20.1
Capri 26 Catalina
16.0
Chrysler 26
Impulse 26
26.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
S2 79 ★
39.4 %
Capri 26 Catalina
37.5 %
Chrysler 26
38.0 %
Impulse 26
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
S2 79 ★
15.3
Capri 26 Catalina
15.2
Chrysler 26
Impulse 26
10.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
S2 79 ★
2.23
Capri 26 Catalina
2.22
Chrysler 26
Impulse 26
2.41
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
S2 79 ★
186
Capri 26 Catalina
172
Chrysler 26
209
Impulse 26
Hull Speed
S2 79 ★
6.2 kts
Capri 26 Catalina
6.4 kts
Chrysler 26
Impulse 26
6.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
S2 79 ★
3.2
Capri 26 Catalina
Chrysler 26
Impulse 26
5.2
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