The S2 92 A is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 25.0′, the S2 92 A tops out around 6.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √25.0′ LWL = 6.7 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
16.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
280
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
25.8
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.92
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
916lbs
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
25.8
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.92
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the S2 92 A sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Ericson 30
168s/nm
Tartan 30
171s/nm
Catalina 30
180s/nm
Hunter 30
189s/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° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.1 |
4.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.7 kts),
SA/D (16.4), 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 92 A — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 92 A.
|
S2 92 A |
Catalina 30 |
Ericson 30 |
Hunter 30 |
Tartan 30 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.9 |
| LWL |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.3 |
25.6 |
24.3 |
| Beam |
10.3 |
10.8 |
10.5 |
10.8 |
10.0 |
| Displacement |
9 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
| Ballast |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
468 |
446 |
470 |
417 |
449 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
180 |
168 |
189 |
171 |
| SA/Disp |
16.4 |
15.2 |
17.4 |
14.5 |
17.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.8 |
41.2 |
44.4 |
39.4 |
41.1 |
| Comfort |
25.8 |
24.9 |
22.7 |
25.1 |
24.3 |
| Capsize |
1.92 |
2.00 |
2.02 |
1.91 |
1.94 |
| Hull Speed |
6.7 |
6.7 |
6.7 |
6.8 |
6.6 |