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S2 85 Sd
Designer: Arthur Edmunds  ·  First built: 1980
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About the S2 85 Sd

Produced by S2 Yachts, a Michigan-based builder with a strong reputation for quality construction throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the S2 85 Sd represents the kind of thoughtful American sailboat design that defined recreational sailing during that era. S2 Yachts was known for building well-finished, performance-oriented boats that appealed to sailors looking for a capable vessel without sacrificing comfort. The 85 Sd fits comfortably into the category of coastal and weekend cruising, offering a manageable platform for sailors who want to explore near-shore waters with confidence. S2's design philosophy typically emphasized solid hull construction, responsive handling, and practical layouts that work well for couples or small families. The "Sd" designation suggests a specific deck or sail configuration variant within the model line, which was common practice for builders offering multiple options to buyers. For those researching a used boat purchase, the S2 brand generally carries a positive reputation among owners for durability and ease of maintenance. Prospective buyers would benefit from a thorough survey, as with any vintage fiberglass sailboat, but the S2 legacy offers a reassuring foundation.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.50 ft / 6.86 m
Beam 9.50 ft / 2.90 m
Max Draft 3.92 ft / 1.19 m
Displacement 7,600.00 lb / 3,447 kg
Ballast 3,000.00 lb / 1,361 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 390.00 ft² / 36.23 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Arthur Edmunds
First Built 1980
Related Sailboats ["S2 86" · "S2 86 Sd" · "S2 85" · "Aloha 85" · "Ericson 28 2"]
Owner Reviews

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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
16.19
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
24.24
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
1.94
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. 6.36
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
1.7
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. 763.75
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 37.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.0
SA Fore 203.5
SA Main 186.0
How It Compares

vs. Aloha 85, S2 85, S2 86 Sd

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
S2 85 Sd ★
28.0 ft
Aloha 85
28.0 ft
S2 85
28.0 ft
S2 86 Sd
28.0 ft
LWL
S2 85 Sd ★
22.5 ft
Aloha 85
24.5 ft
S2 85
22.5 ft
S2 86 Sd
22.5 ft
Beam
S2 85 Sd ★
9.5 ft
Aloha 85
9.4 ft
S2 85
9.5 ft
S2 86 Sd
9.5 ft
Displacement
S2 85 Sd ★
7 lbs
Aloha 85
6 lbs
S2 85
7 lbs
S2 86 Sd
7 lbs
Ballast
S2 85 Sd ★
3 lbs
Aloha 85
2 lbs
S2 85
3 lbs
S2 86 Sd
3 lbs
Sail Area
S2 85 Sd ★
390 sq ft
Aloha 85
395 sq ft
S2 85
S2 86 Sd
390 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
S2 85 Sd ★
16.2
Aloha 85
17.8
S2 85
S2 86 Sd
16.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
S2 85 Sd ★
Aloha 85
40.7 %
S2 85
39.5 %
S2 86 Sd
39.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
S2 85 Sd ★
24.2
Aloha 85
20.6
S2 85
S2 86 Sd
24.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
S2 85 Sd ★
1.94
Aloha 85
2.00
S2 85
S2 86 Sd
1.94
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
S2 85 Sd ★
Aloha 85
204
S2 85
297
S2 86 Sd
297
Hull Speed
S2 85 Sd ★
6.4 kts
Aloha 85
6.6 kts
S2 85
S2 86 Sd
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
S2 85 Sd ★
1.7
Aloha 85
2.7
S2 85
S2 86 Sd
1.7
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