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- Sailboat Reviews
A roomy, well-built middle-of-the-road cruiser with both aft and center cockpit versions.
The history of S2 Yachts is in many ways a parable for the modern fiberglass sailboat industry. Begun in 1974 by an experienced fiberglass builder, the company grew rapidly, building first some unattractive “two-story” cruisers, followed by a series of conventional cruiser-racers in the late ’70s and early ’80s, then a successful fleet of race-oriented cruisers in the mid ’80s. Finally, as sailboat sales took a nosedive in the late ’80s, the company converted its entire production to powerboats.
In late 1989, the company was approached by the class association of its popular 26′ racer, the S2 7.9. Would the company be willing to do a small run of 7.9s for those serious racers who wanted to replace their seven-to nine-year-old boats? The company thought it over and said, yes—provided they could be guaranteed 10 orders.
As we write this, the class association and S2 dealers around the country have been unable to come up with the 10 orders, and the company has cancelled the offering, perhaps the end of sailboat building by this prosperous company, and perhaps also an unfortunate commentary on the sailboat industry.
During its heyday, S2 developed a strong reputation for good quality boats. The company was founded by Leon Slikkers after he had sold his powerboat company, Slickcraft. As part of the sales agreement, he was not to make powerboats for a period of time, but there was no restraint on sailboat building. So he built a new plant which was, at the time, a model for production-line efficiency. Among other things, the hulls were laid up in an enclosed, climate-controlled room, and they remained in molds until most of the interior was installed to ensure that there was as little deformation of the basic molding as possible.
In the late 1970s, S2 did start building powerboats again, and soon established its Tiara line at the top end of the market. As evidence of Slikkers’ insight into the business (as well as a bit of luck, perhaps), when the conglomerate that owned Slickcraft began to see declining sales in the early ’80s, S2 was able to buy Slickcraft back at a fraction of its original sale price. And of course, S2 enjoyed the boom in powerboat buying which accompanied the decline in sailboat sales during the mid and late ’80s.
From the start, Slikkers also assembled an experienced crew of builders and sellers from the local area. At the time, Holland, Michigan, was the home of Chris Craft as well as Slickcraft and several other smaller powerboat builders.
The company continues today with a strong crew, managed primarily by Slikkers’ son, David, and other family members. The company personnel helped establish a reputation for good relationships with S2 owners, a reputation which continues, even though the company is no longer in the sailboat business.
In preparing this story, we talked with a number of S2 9.2 owners who reported that they are still able to get information, advice, and some parts and equipment from the company.
The Boat and Builder
As its nomenclature suggests, S2 Yachts was one of those few American companies willing to commit to the metric system when the government said it would be a good thing to do. The 9.2 stands for 9.2 meters, as with the company’s other boats (7.3, 7.9, 10.3, etc.). S2 stuck with the classification for a long time, only advertising the 9.2 as the S2 30 after it had been in production for years (not to be confused with the later S2 30 designed by Graham & Schlageter).
The boat overall is 29′ 11″, the most common length of 30-footers in those days when one of the popular racing rules—the Midget Ocean Racing Club (MORC)—required boats to be “under 30 feet.” The boat was built in two configurations, from 1977 to 1987. The 9.2C was a center-cockpit version, and the last one built was hull number 427. The 9.2A was the aft-cockpit version, and the last one built was hull number 520.
From talking to the company, it is unclear whether the hull numbers represent the actual number of boats built. In the 70s, it was not unusual for companies as part of their marketing strategy, to start a production run with hull number 10, or even hull number 100, so that a model would appear to be more popular or successful than it actually was. The people currently at S2 simply didn’t know if that had been done, but we suspect the total of 947 hull numbers is more than the actual number of S2 9.2s built. Nonetheless, the 9.2 had a successful run.
The 9.2 was designed by Arthur Edmunds, who was S2’s “in-house” designer. Beginning in 1981, S2 built a number of racing-oriented cruisers designed by the Chicago naval architects Scott Graham and Eric Schlageter, but all of the earlier cruising boats were done by Edmunds. Edmunds also contributed engineering and design detail to Graham & Schlageter’s hull designs.
We would describe the 9.2 design—and all of Edmunds’ S2s—as moderate and conventionally modern. The hull has short overhangs, a relatively flat sheer, a long fin keel, and spade rudder. The boats are reasonably attractive, and the aft-cockpit model has pleasing proportions. The center-cockpit model has a high, boxy superstructure whose profile is relieved by good contour moldings of the deckhouse, cockpit, and aft cabin.
One advantage of the conventional looks of the 9.2 is that it is not likely to go out of fashion—a plus for the boat holding its value. Though the rigs were identical on all versions, shallow-draft keels were a popular option; these reduced the draft from 4′ 11″ to 3′ 11″. The deeper keel doesn’t seem excessive for most waters and is our choice. The lead ballast is internal. S2 did a good job of embedding and sealing the lead in the keel cavity, so leaking should be minimal even in a hard grounding.
The hull is a conservative hand-laid laminate, and the deck is balsa-cored. S2 used a conventional inward-turning flange to attach the deck, with an aluminum toerail for protecting the joint. S2 is known for good glass work, particularly gelcoats, and almost all the used 9.2s that we have seen still are cosmetically good or recoverable with a good rubbing out.
Sailing Performance
‘Adequate’ would be a good way to describe the sailing performance of the 9.2. The boat came with a deck-stepped Kenyon spar and North sails as standard, later with Hall or Offshore spars. The rigging and other sailing hardware was good enough in quality that little re-rigging or upgrading is likely to be needed.
The used 9.2 we examined thoroughly, for example, had internal halyards, reef lines and outhaul, a good Harken mainsheet traveler, Lewmar #8 halyard winches, and two-speed Lewmar #30s for the jib sheets. On the down-side, every equipment list of used S2s we looked at listed the original North sails, with an occasional newer furling genoa. One disadvantage of a late model boat with good gear is that the owner is less likely to upgrade before he sells it, so the second owner probably will be facing the purchase of new sails.
When we sailed a shoal-draft 9.2, our initial reaction was surprise at its tenderness. Other owners in our survey agree that the shoal-draft model heels fairly easily, and a number thought that even the deeper draft model was tender. Several reported that you need to reduce sail fairly early to keep the boat on its feet and sailing well.
The boat sails reasonably well. The one we were on, however, would not go to weather decently—a combination of the shoal draft and a well-worn suit of sails. On other points, the boat was respectable. Close and broad reaching, it moved very well and was just a bit sluggish running.
She’s not a fast boat by contemporary standards. In most areas, the 9.2 carries a PHRF rating of 180 seconds per mile (six seconds slower for the shoalkeel), which is six seconds per mile slower than a Pearson 30 and 12 to 15 seconds slower than the popular Catalina 30 with a tall rig. In contrast, the 9.2’s racing-oriented sister, the S2 9.1, a 30-footer, rates 50 seconds per mile faster.
On the plus side, the boat is easy to sail, with a good balance between main and jib sail area. The running rigging and deck hardware is well set up. Oddly, not one equipment list for used 9.2s that we looked at had a spinnaker or spinnaker gear, an indication that the boat is rarely raced. However, if someone is interested in an occasional club race, the boat should sail up to its rating, assuming the sails are good and the boat well handled.
The deck is well laid out, though the walkways are a bit narrow for getting forward, and there’s a considerable step up into the center cockpit. Details of the deck—anchor well, bow fittings, cleats, halyard runs, and so forth—are well executed.
Performance Under Power
A few of the 1977/1978 boats were sold with an Atomic 4 gas engine. After 1979, diesels were installed. Through 1984, the engines were 12-hp or 15-hp Yanmars, or 12-hp Volvos. In 1985, a Yanmar 23 was optional.
The Atomic 4 was a good engine for the boat, as was the Yanmar 23. However, a number of owners report that the boat is underpowered with the Yanmar 12 and 15, and the Volvo 12. For a 10,000 pound boat, 12 to 15 hp would be adequate by traditional standards, but many sailors seem to want a little more these days. The Yanmar 15 in the boat we sailed had no trouble pushing the boat in calm waters, but the owner did say that the boat couldn’t buck any kind of head sea. For some, the optional Yanmar 23 will make the later models more desirable.
In the center-cockpit model, many owners complained about the inaccessibility of one side of the engine and the difficulty of getting at the dipstick, but otherwise the engine was serviceable. A few boats were apparently sold with raw-water cooling rather than a heat exchanger. We’d be cautious about one of the older boats with raw-water cooling unless it had been kept exclusively in fresh water.
The interior was undoubtedly the strong selling point of the boat. For the most part, the belowdecks finish is well done, and there’s about as much usable room below as you could get without making the hull significantly larger.
S2 was one of the first sailboat builders to use fabric as a hull liner, and it became almost a trademark of S2 interiors. The fabric is a neutral-colored polypropylene, treated to be mildew resistant. When we first saw the fabric, we were skeptical, wondering how it would hold up to saltwater soakings. But having owned a smaller S2 for five years, we finally became converts; in fact, in refitting our current boat, we used the fabric extensively, rather than replacing aged vinyl and wood veneer ceilings. The fabric is contact-cemented to the hull, and it holds up amazingly well, absorbing virtually no water. It is quite resistant to mildew and stains. The new owner of an S2 will want to find a good, compact wet/dry vacuum cleaner, which is the required maintenance equipment for the fabric.
The rest of the interior has teak veneer plywood, Formica, and solid teak trim, and the workmanship is good. Layouts changed little throughout the production of the boats. The aft-cockpit model is conventional, with a V-berth that is a bit short, a large head and hanging locker, a large dinette/settee with a settee opposite, and an L-shaped galley with a chart area/quarter berth opposite. There’s adequate stowage under the berths and decent outside stowage in the lazarettes.
The center-cockpit model moves the main cabin forward and the head aft, near to and partially underneath the center cockpit. The galley is opposite the head, running lengthwise down the port side of the cabin and partially under the cockpit. The aft-cabin is roomy, with an athwartship double berth and good locker space. The shortcoming of the center cockpit is that there is virtually no outside storage.
Choosing between the center and aft cockpit is largely a matter of personal preference. With children, or two couples cruising, the aft cabin is hard to beat for livability.
Overall, the interiors are well enough designed and executed that little major work or upgrading should be necessary on most used boats. Many people will want to replace the alcohol stoves on earlier models, perhaps add refrigeration (or replace the original Unifridge), and perform the normal long-term maintenance of re-upholstering, but otherwise the interiors should need little major attention.
Conclusions
The S2s were well-built. Whereas other production companies frequently cheapened or upgraded models from year to year to find marketing niches, S2 made boats to sell near the high end of the production boat market, and kept the quality at a consistent level.
The 9.2s have maintained their value about as well as any 30-footer in the current market. Because the only significant advantage of the 1986 model is the larger Yanmar engine and newer equipment, we would gladly take one of the older 9.2s at a lower price, since the necessary upgrades could easily be done (sails, cushions, electronics) and the final cost would still be much lower than the newer boat.
It’s easy to pay too much money for a used boat these days, but S2 owners generally think they have a good product, and they’ll probably be harder to dicker with than many sellers.
RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR
Somehow this article is almost an exact copy of an earlier article here: http://www.sailingbreezes.com/sailing_breezes_current/articles/july99/s2review.htm by Thom Burns. Some sentences are exactly identical…
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- By Richard Smith
- Updated: October 22, 2012
Within a wide field of well-designed and competitive racer/cruisers of the 1970s, the S2 9.2 stands out, mainly because it wears its age very well. Without a scoop transom and boarding steps or skinny portlights below the sheer, it still looks modern. The flat sheer, sloping deckhouse, almost-flush Lexan forward hatch, hinged anchor lid, and tinted deadlights are familiar features on boats built three decades later. The carefully detailed teak handrails set on molded fiberglass spacers are unobtrusive while emphasizing the hull’s refined shape and unified design. Nothing is exaggerated in the interest of the fashions of the day or to suit a rating rule.
Powerboat builder Leon R. Slikkers founded S2 Yachts in 1974 and commissioned Arthur Edmonds, designer of the Allied Princess 36 and Mistress 39, to design the S2 9.2A (for its aft cockpit) and the S2 9.2C (for its center cockpit). Over 700 A and C models were sold. Both versions have the same hull, fin keel, partially balanced skeg-hung rudder, and masthead sloop rig. The single-spreader aluminum mast, painted black (an S2 trademark) is stepped on deck over a compression post that’s built into the main bulkhead.
The hull is solid, hand-laid fiberglass. It has an inward-turning flange at the sheer to which the balsa-cored deck is bolted through an extruded aluminum toerail. There’s no molded interior liner. Bulkheads and furniture are tabbed to the hull, which contributes to its structural stiffness. Two tons of lead ballast is encapsulated in a sealed keel cavity. Well-cared-for boats show little wear and tear after three decades of hard sailing, and, owners agree, the gelcoat is generally free of stress cracks even where moldings take tight bends.
The T-shaped cockpit is comfortable and workmanlike. The starboard seat opens to general storage and access to the stuffing box and engine controls. Additional storage is located under the helmsman’s seat in twin lazarettes.
Everything on deck is carefully laid out. The mainsail is sheeted abaft the 28-inch wheel, where it’s out of the way but in reach of the helmsman. The 8-inch stern cleats are mounted on anti-chafing pads and close to hand. Engine controls are similarly convenient to the helm. Early boats had Atomic 4s, but a variety of diesel engines were fitted after 1978.
The engine box provides a wide first step down to the cabin. A small corner galley to starboard of the companionway contains a sink, icebox, and stove. Opposite is a quarter berth and navigation space with a folding seat and table. Headroom is 6 feet 3 inches aft and drops gradually to about 5 feet 10 inches toward the forward cabin.
The saloon table and settee convert to a double berth and, together with a 6-foot-6-inch settee opposite, make a comfortable eating, lounging, and sleeping area. A double berth is located forward of the wardrobe and head area. Generous use of teak, both solid and ply, contributes to a sense of quality throughout the boat, but the polypropylene carpeting used to line the hull ages unattractively.
Sailing the S2 9.2 is a treat. In 15 to 17 knots, it heels sharply under the mainsail and 150-percent genoa before settling in to make 5 or 6 knots upwind. Weather helm is noticeable in stronger gusts, but the boat is generally well balanced and always manageable, even in lumpy seas. All in all, the S2 9.2 is a well-designed, tough, and able 30-footer with good performance for racing or cruising.
Architect Richard Smith and his wife, Beth, sail their Ericson Cruising 31, Kuma, in the Pacific Northwest.
Find more Cruising World boat reviews here . Read the review of the S2 8.6 here .
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S-2 30' Center Cockpit - looking for info
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I'm just looking for info in general regarding the motor, any neat modifications folks have made to the galley, head, interior etc. What size anchor (s) is preferred, cost of new sails, cushions - any info at all. We've owned the boat for 1 year and would like to make some sensible modifications that wont' cost us a ton of dough. We may sell the boat at the end of the season for a larger S-2 or even a pilothouse or motorsailor, not sure. Any other owners out there? This is a 1980. Nice boat, a bit tender, more than we planned but we are not bashful about using our reef points. We are prudent sailors who bought this boat to see if we like the 'live aboard' life starting in Florida and with a larger vessel heading to the islands. Right now this vessel is like camping - no fridge, no oven etc. I'd love to have an inverter system/batt bank that is sufficient... we are looking into that now. Just fishing for any thoughts or info. Thanks!
Hi, Don't have much to add. I just bought a S2 9.2C 1983. I've looked at several over the years and they are remarkably similar. Mine was used as a liveaboard for a long time, 8 years I think. I've got a little fridge. Do you have that fabric like interior on the ceiling of the cabin? I'd like to get rid of mine, it looks so sloppy. I am curious to your assessment that it is more tender than you expected. I have not had mine out yet. In what way, seas, point of sail, wind, activity aboard. Thanks in advance. Hey is there an S2 owners group and an S2 9.2C sub group? Later, Tom
S2 9.2c I also have a 1980 S2 9.2C that I bought in May of this year. I have not gotten to try it out as much as I would like but so far really like it (on the Chesapeake Bay). As for the question about other owners, there is a site "S2owners" dot com that has some info and some members that will provide insight.
I'm looking at a S2 9.2C. I have never been in one. Can anyone tell me what they are like?
I had looked at the S2 9.2C for probably 20 years and finally got mine in May of '08. My experience with it has been on the Chesapeake Bay under normal/good weather conditions. I am not that experienced with sailing it but have found that it is much easier to sail than my previous boat, O'Day 22. It has the most room inside of any 30 footer I have seen and even as much or more as many 35 footers. I have found that it sails very well in light/moderate winds and is very responsive under power. The reviews that I have read indicate that it is a well built boat and during its time the S2 was one of the top 5 boat manufacturers.
Thanks for the information Garylinger-- Does anyone know sail size? Is there a comparable boat with sails, spinniker/pole size. The one I'm looking at has ok sails, but I would like to up-grade. Any thoughts on main, jib or spinniker?
Go to this website "s2.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=boats&task=displaymodel&id=394&Itemid=888&brand=S2&bmodel=9.2C" for specifications on the S2
If you need any other info, feel free to ask and I will try to provide it.
Thanks!!! I will
We have owned our 9.2C since 1998 and are live aboard most of the time. We have done man upgrades. The latest was a pilot house when our bimini went south. We're in Vero Beach now and would love to share more with you. where in Fl are you? Jim L
Hello Community
What would you like to know?
You put a pilothouse on the 9.2C? Do you have pictures of that? We just bought ours yesterday and I already have a few modifications in my mind, that I would like to do, mostly interior and small details outside but would be happy about any suggestions to make her even more liveaboard friendly. Also: Did anybody instal solar panels so far? Would like to know where you put them and how big the trouble with shading is... Thank you already!
I'm interested in the pilothouse you added. Just purchased a 1984 s2c 9.2 and would like to correspond with other owners and get helpful info on the boats for upgrades and suppliers etc. any pics are appreciated
I just bought one as well and looking for similar info on upgrades....any info appreciated thanks
Den, Congrats on your purchase. Were are you located?
I got mine last year and did quite a few changes to her already... I added insulation in the saloon area (crucial for living aboard the chesapeak bay during winter), added Solar panels (I put a SS pole between the first stanchion post aft and the rail on the stern and put the panel on a swivelling mount in between). Also I ripped out the carpet on the hull inside in the saloon area (where the "shelves" are and built some proper shelves in there with nice fiddles and a second level added as well of some of them with locker. Then I added a Windvane for more comfortable cruising along the coast and ultimately for the way back home to the med and so far the biggest Project: After my Yanmar died I replaced it with an electric inboard engine, which works beautifully! Love it so far! All the changes, modifications, pictures etc can be found here: Project Manaia or here: Sailing Manaia Hope it helps... Manuel
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Used Boat Review: The S-2 9.2A/C Well-built cruiser with aft and center cockpit versions
By Thom Burns
During the eighties, S2 earned a strong reputation for good quality boats. The company was founded by Leon Slikkers after he had sold his powerboat company, Slickcraft. As part of the sales agreement, he was precluded from the powerboat market for a number of years. There were no restrictions on sailboat building. So he built a new plant which was, at the time, a model for production-line efficiency. Among other things, the hulls were laid up in an enclosed, climate-controlled room, and they remained in molds until most of the interior was installed. This ensured that there was as little deformation of the basic hull molding as possible.
In the late 1970s, S2 did start building powerboats again, and soon established its Tiara line at the top end of the market. Slikkers’ business acumen, insight and bit of luck allowed him to buy his old powerboat line, Slickercraft, back from the conglomerate that owned it at a time of declining sales in the early 80s, at a fraction of its original sale price. Shortly thereafter S2 enjoyed the boom in powerboat buying which accompanied the decline in sailboat sales during the mid and late 80s.
From the start, Slikkers assembled an experienced crew of builders and sellers from the local area. At the time, Holland, Michigan, was the home of Chris Craft as well as Slickcraft and several other smaller powerboat builders.
The company continues today with a strong crew, according to former dealers. Company personnel and a strong dealer network established a reputation for good relationships with S2 owners, a reputation which continues, even though the company is no longer in the sailboat business.
Former area dealers, such as Gary DeSantis at Sailor’s World on Lake Minnetonka swear by the product and love to deal in used S2 boats.
The Boat and Builder
The boat was built in two configurations, from 1977 to 1987. The 9.2C was a center-cockpit version, and the last one built was hull number 427. The 9.2A was the aft-cockpit version, and the last one built was hull number 520.
The 9.2 was designed by Arthur Edmunds, who was S2’s "in-house" designer. Beginning in 1981, S2 built a number of racing-oriented cruisers designed by the Chicago naval architects Scott Graham and Eric Schageter, but all of the earlier cruising boats were done by Edmunds. Edmunds also contributed engineering and design detail to Graham & Schlageter’s hull designs.
The 9.2 design has short overhangs, a relatively flat sheer, a long fin keel, and spade rudder. The boats are attractive, and the aft-cockpit model has pleasing proportions. The center-cockpit model is a little boxy looking because of the relatively short overall length for the center cockpit aft cabin design. It is better looking than some other smaller center cockpit boats because it has three levels of deck and cockpit.
The conventional looks of the 9.2 keep it in style which along with the builders reputation seem to keep the boats holding their value pretty well. Shallow-draft keels were a popular option, reducing the draft from 4’11’ to 3’11’. According to DeSantis, most models sold in the midwest were the deeper keel which he personally prefers. The deeper keel doesn’t seem excessive for most waters.
The rigs were identical on all versions, The lead ballast is internal. S2 did a good job of embedding and sealing the lead in the keel cavity which can be a source of leaks on older externally mounted keels. According to DeSantis, this was a major difference between builders of that era.
Sailing Performance
This boat is the cruising, small, bluewater model and shouldn’t be confused with the 9.1 which swept the MORC nationals with a first, second and third finish when it was introduced. Another well sailed 9.1 won its division in the Trans-Superior. This boat has a much longer fin keel which is not as deep. It also makes it more seakindly for cruising. The 9.2 came with a deck-stepped Kenyon spar and North sails as standard, later with Hall or Offshore spars. The rigging and other sailing hardware was good enough in quality that little re-rigging or upgrading is likely to be needed.
The 9.2 typically came with internal halyards, reef lines and outhaul, a good Harken mainsheet traveler, Lewmar #8 halyard winches, and two-speed Lewmar #30s for the jib sheets. A boat this well equipped needs very little in upgrades. The bad news is that 1999 buyers are unlikely to find extensive upgrades to sails, furlers, winches, etc. done by previous owners. As this equipment approaches the middle to end of its second decade some of it will have to be replaced. It won’t last forever.
The boat I sailed performed very well on close, beam and broad reaches. It was a cruising boat close-hauled and it feels a little tender sometimes. Reef early when the wind builds.
She’s not a fast boat by contemporary standards but when compared to some other cruisers she’s quick. The 9.2 carries a PHRF rating around 180 seconds per mile (six seconds slower for the shoal-keel), which is six seconds per mile slower than a Pearson 30 and 12 to 15 seconds per mile slower than the Catalina 30 with a tall rig. In contrast, the 9.2s racing-oriented sister, the S2 9.1, a 30-footer, rates 50 seconds per mile faste at 140. The important thing is that both boats will sail to their numbers.
The boat is easy to sail, with a balanced sail plan. The running rigging, deck hardware and overall deck layout are convenient and functional. The deck is easy to move around. Attention to detail in the deck, anchor well, bow fittings, cleats, and halyards runs are well done.
Performance Under Power
A few of the 1977/1978 boats were sold with an Atomic 4 gas engine. After 1979, diesels were installed. Through 1984, the engines were 12 hp or 15 hp Yanmars, or 12 hp Volvos. In 1985, a Yanmar 23 was optional.
The Atomic 4 was a good engine for the boat, as was the Yanmar 23. For a 10,000 pound boat, 12 to 15 hp should be adequate by traditional standards, but many sailors seem to want a little more. The Yanmar 23 in the boat I sailed seemed like alot of engine. In calm water it would hit hull speed at 1800 or 1900 RPM’s. For some, the optional Yanmar 23 will make the later models more desirable.
The interior was undoubtedly the strong selling point of the boat. The below decks finish is attractive. There’s about as much usable room below as you could get without making the hull significantly larger.
S2 was one of the first sailboat builders to use fabric as a hull liner, and it became almost a trademark of S2 interiors. The fabric is a neutral-colored polypropylene, treated to be mildew resistant. Having looked at several used S2 models, I believe the fabric works well. Many of the 90’s builders have copied the approach. It is contact-cemented to the hull, and it holds up amazingly well, absorbing virtually no water. It is quite resistant to mildew and stains. It is maintained with a good, compact wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
The rest of the interior has teak veneer plywood, Formica, and solid teak trim. The workmanship is good. Layouts changed little throughout the production of the boats. The aft-cockpit model is conventional, with a V-berth, a large head and hanging locker, a large dinette/settee with a settee opposite, and an L-shaped galley with a chart area/quarter berth opposite. There’s adequate stowage under the berths and decent outside stowage in the lazarettes.
The center-cockpit model moves the main cabin forward and the head aft, near to and partially underneath the center cockpit. The galley is opposite the head, running lengthwise down the port side of the cabin and partially under the cockpit. The aft-cabin is roomy, with an athwartship double berth and good locker space. The shortcoming of the center cockpit is that there is virtually no outside storage.
Choosing between the center and aft cockpit is largely a matter of personal preference. With children, or two couples cruising, the aft cabin is hard to beat for livability.
The interiors are well designed and executed. Little major work or upgrading should be necessary on most used boats. Many people will want to replace the alcohol stoves on earlier models, perhaps add refrigeration and perform the normal long-term maintenance or re-upholstering. The interiors should need little major attention.
Conclusions
The S2s were well-built. Whereas other production companies frequently cheapened or upgraded models from year to year to find a marketing niches, S2 made boats to sell near the high end of the production boat market, and kept the quality at a consistent level. I would avoid the shallow draft version on both performance and likely tenderness grounds unless I was going to sail a great deal in shallow areas such as Florida Sound, the Bahamas or Belize.
The 9.2s have maintained their value about as well as any 30 footer according to local brokers. S2 owners generally believe they have a good product, and they’ll probably be harder to dicker with than many eager sellers of other boats in the used market.
Thom publishes Northern Breezes and SailingBreezes.com. Thanks to Gary DeSantis, Sailor’s World, Lake Minnetonka, S-2 Company and Practical Sailor for information for this article.
Sailor’s World: 612-475-3443
Practical Sailor: 800-829-9087
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S2 9.2 C. Save to Favorites . Beta Marine. BOTH. US IMPERIAL. METRIC. ... The suffix 'C' is for center cockpit. Shoal draft: 3.92'/1.19m. Sailboat Forum. ... Numbers below 20 indicate a lightweight racing boat, small dinghy and such; 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser;
The 9.2 stands for 9.2 meters, as with the company's other boats (7.3, 7.9, 10.3, etc.). S2 stuck with the classification for a long time, only advertising the 9.2 as the S2 30 after it had been in production for years (not to be confused with the later S2 30 designed by Graham & Schlageter). The boat overall is 29′ 11″, the most common ...
S2 9.2. This aft-cockpit version of the 30-foot S2 9.2 is a weatherly racer/cruiser with decent accommodations, and it really shines under sail. Courtesy of Richard Smith. Within a wide field of well-designed and competitive racer/cruisers of the 1970s, the S2 9.2 stands out, mainly because it wears its age very well.
S-2 30' Center Cockpit - looking for info. I'm just looking for info in general regarding the motor, any neat modifications folks have made to the galley, head, interior etc. What size anchor (s) is preferred, cost of new sails, cushions - any info at all. We've owned the boat for 1 year and would like to make some sensible modifications that ...
The boat was built in two configurations, from 1977 to 1987. The 9.2C was a center-cockpit version, and the last one built was hull number 427. The 9.2A was the aft-cockpit version, and the last one built was hull number 520. The 9.2 was designed by Arthur Edmunds, who was S2's "in-house" designer. Beginning in 1981, S2 built a number of ...
Find S2 Centre Cockpit boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of S2 boats to choose from. ... 1984 S2 9.2 Center Cockpit. US$18,500. CFB Marine Group | San Diego, California. Request Info; Price Drop; 1983 S2 9.2 C. US$9,500. ↓ Price Drop. Forked River Yacht Sales | Forked River, New Jersey.
1987 30' S2 9.2 Center Cockpit sailboat for sale in Brooklyn New York
Join Date: Sep 2014. Location: Fiji Airways/ Lake Ontario. Boat: Legend 37.5, 1968 Alcort Sunfish, Avon 310. Posts: 2,750. Images: 11. Re: S2 9.2 Center Cockpit. I saw my first S2 9.2 CC on Saturday- never knew such a thing existed! It was sailing on Little Sodus Bay (Fairhaven) off Lake Ontario.
S2 9.2 Center Cockpit 1985, 30ft Center Cockpit and Meticulously Maintained General Exterior: Deck Handrails All New Solid Teak- 2018 Main Hatch Covers Refinished- 2018 Canvas Covers for Main Hatch Boards and Wheel Bottom Paint New Feb. 2019 ... 7 ′ 9 ″ / 2.4 m Forestay Length 27 ... 30-40: moderate bluewater cruising boat. 40-50: heavy ...
Find S2 30 Center Cockpit 9.2 centre cockpit for sale on YachtWorld. Huge range of used private and dealer boats for sale near you.
Find S2 30' Center Cockpit sail boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of S2 boats to choose from. ... S2 30' Center Cockpit sail for sale. Create Search Alert. Clear Filter Make / Model: S2 - 30'-center-cockpit Category: All Sail. Country. country-all. All Countries. Country-US. United States.
Find S2 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of S2 boats to choose from. ... 1987 S2 35 Center Cockpit. US$29,999. ↓ Price Drop. Bay Marine | Spring Lake, Michigan. Request Info; Price Drop; 1982 S2 Center Cockpit Sloop. US$25,500. ↓ Price Drop. Gray & Gray Yacht Brokers, Inc ...
Re: S2 9.2 Center Cockpit. You might also look at the Sovereign 28 (aka Sovereign 30). It was made from the S2 by adding 2 feet to the mold. I finished one from bare hull about 25 years ago. 8'4" beam, 3'4" draft, 6800 lbs, 6' headroom in main cabin, 20 HP yanmar 2gm20 and fairly trailable.
View pictures and details of this boat or search for more S2 boats for sale on boats.com. Canada CA. United States Australia United Kingdom Spain Germany France Italy Netherlands Boats for Sale. Boats for Sale ... S2 30 Center Cockpit 9.2. $25,828 Listed price: US$19,000 Dana Point, California, United States. Close Map. Print; Facebook; Twitter ...
S2 preowned sailboats for sale by owner. S2 used sailboats for sale by owner. Home. Register & Post. View All Sailboats. Search. ... S2 S2 30 center cockpit: Length: 30'-0' Beam: 10'6' Draft: 3'9' Year: 1987: Type: motorsailer: Hull: fiberglass monohull: Engine: 1 diesel inboard; Location:
Of course that is just a cosmetic defect. To me, relative to other boats you can buy at the same price S2 is good value for dollar. 10-25K will buy you a older Catalina 30 without a tee shaped cockpit, or a Cherubini Hunter 30, or a early 80's Hunter 28.5 or 31.
Location: VA, USA. Boat: S2-9.2 CC & IP40. Posts: 285. S2 9.2 Center Cockpit 30' Sailboat. just getting ready to put my boat on the market.....bought a bigger one for long term cruising. 1979 but lots of recent upgrades. Solidly built! made by Tiara Yachts.
1988 30' S2 9.2 C sailboat for sale in Yarmouth Maine. Home. Register & Post. View All Sailboats ... Year. Length. Beam. Draft. Location. Price. 1988. 30' 10.5' 4.9' Maine. $19,000. Description: Center Cockpit Sloop, Rare for a 30' sailboat. There is more room below than my Hunter 37 because the salon table is removable and relocates to the ...
1984 30' S2 Center Cockpit - Model: 9.2 C 100827212 Port Charlotte FL. Also thousands of other S2 boats and yachts to peruse!
S2 30 Center Cockpit 9.2 for sale in Dana Point United States. View pictures and details of this boat or search for more S2 boats for sale on boats.com.
9. S2 S2 9.2 C Medford, Oregon. Sep 7, 2017. #1. Hello! I (we) just discovered this site! My wife and I have been sailing since we were kids, both with blue water experience. We're now 62 years old & ready to retire. We've researched the s2 9.2 Center Cockpit for a LONG time and pretty sure this is the boat for us.
Yanmar diesel 22.5 hp. Custom color Hull (light gray). Well-built design with 6'2" headroom. Extraordinarily equipped to comfortably live aboard and sail. Mermaid Manufacturing Air Conditioning system with heater is built-in upgrade. Private chart room and spacious aft cabin. Bathtub w/ shower. Suit of sails plus 135 Genoa with roller furlers.