Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.5′, the S2 85 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.5′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
39.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
298
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the S2 85 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Ranger 28
Aloha 28
Coronado 28
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the S2 85.
| S2 85 | Aloha 28 | Coronado 28 | Pearson 28 1975 80 | Ranger 28 | S2 86 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 |
| LWL | 22.5 | 24.5 | 22.2 | 24.0 | 21.7 | 22.5 |
| Beam | 9.5 | 9.4 | 8.5 | 9.3 | 9.6 | 9.5 |
| Displacement | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
| Ballast | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Sail Area | — | 373 | 366 | 395 | — | 390 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 195 | 216 | — | 185 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.8 | 16.4 | 16.1 | — | 16.2 |
| Bal/Disp | 39.5 | 44.4 | 41.2 | 45.0 | 55.0 | — |
| Comfort | — | 20.6 | 25.4 | 24.9 | — | 24.2 |
| Capsize | — | 2.00 | 1.80 | 1.86 | — | 1.94 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.6 | 6.3 | 6.6 | — | 6.4 |