What is the S2 79's sail area to displacement ratio?

The S2 79 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 20.12. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the S2 79's comfort ratio?

The S2 79 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 15.33. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the S2 79 safe for offshore sailing?

The S2 79 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.23. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the S2 79?

The theoretical hull speed of the S2 79 is 6.24 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a S2 79 weigh?

The S2 79 has a displacement of 4,250.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 25.92 ft.

How much does a used S2 79 cost?

Based on 2 recent market listings, used S2 79 sailboats typically sell for between $5,000 and $11,500, with a median asking price of $8,250. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.

Who designed the S2 79?

The S2 79 was designed by Graham & Schlageter, first built in 1981.

S2 79 Performance — PHRF, SA/D, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

The S2 79 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.

6.2 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 21.7′, the S2 79 tops out around 6.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √21.7′ LWL = 6.2 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

20.1

Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.

Ballast / Displacement

39.4%

Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.

Displacement / Length

186

Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.

Comfort Ratio

15.3

Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.

Capsize Screening

2.23

Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.

Hull Speed

6.2kts

S# (Speed Number)

3.2

Pounds/Inch Immersion

697lbs

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

15.3

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

2.23

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 79 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Heavy Cruiser 210–300

Impulse 26 135s/nm

Capri 26 Catalina 213s/nm

Chrysler 26 228s/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	3.4	3.8	4.0
Close Reach60°	3.3	4.1	4.6	4.8
Beam Reach90°	4.0	5.1	5.7	6.1
Broad Reach120–135°	3.7	4.7	5.2	5.7
Run150–180°	3.0	3.8	4.2	4.4

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.2 kts), SA/D (20.1), 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 79 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost

Sweet Spot

Reef

Heavy

0–6 kts 6–18 kts 18–26 kts 26+ kts

Ghosting

0–6 kts

Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.

Sweet Spot

6–18 kts

Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.

Time to Reef

18–26 kts

Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.

Heavy Weather

26+ 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 79.

	S2 79	Capri 26 Catalina	Chrysler 26	Impulse 26	S2 79 Fk	S2 80 B
Dimensions
LOA	25.9	26.0	26.0	26.0	25.9	26.0
LWL	21.7	22.5	22.0	21.6	21.7	21.4
Beam	9.0	9.1	8.0	8.4	9.0	8.0
Displacement	4	4	5	2	4	4
Ballast	1	1	1	1	1	1
Sail Area	329	268	257	327	—	282
Performance
PHRF	—	213	228	135	—	—
SA/Disp	20.1	16.0	14.1	26.7	—	16.4
Bal/Disp	39.4	37.5	38.0	47.5	38.3	—
Comfort	15.3	15.2	20.9	10.9	—	19.5
Capsize	2.23	2.22	1.87	2.41	—	1.93
Hull Speed	6.2	6.4	6.3	6.2	—	6.2