S2 6.8

Summary

The S2 6.8 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Don Wennersten and Arthur Edmunds as a racer-cruiser and first built in 1976. The designation indicates the approximate length overall in meters.[1][2][3]

S2 6.8
Development
DesignerDon Wennersten and Arthur Edmunds
LocationUnited States
Year1976
No. built150
Builder(s)S2 Yachts
RoleRacer-Cruiser
NameS2 6.8
Boat
Displacement2,900 lb (1,315 kg)
Draft4.5 ft (1.4 m) with centerboard down
Hull
Typemonohull
Constructionfiberglass
LOA22.33 ft (6.81 m)
LWL18.25 ft (5.56 m)
Beam8.00 ft (2.44 m)
Engine typeoutboard motor
Hull appendages
Keel/board typeshoal draft keel with optional centerboard
Ballast1,100 lb (499 kg)
Rudder(s)transom-mounted rudder
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
I foretriangle height26.70 ft (8.14 m)
J foretriangle base9.10 ft (2.77 m)
P mainsail luff23.80 ft (7.25 m)
E mainsail foot8.00 ft (2.44 m)
Sails
Sailplanmasthead sloop
Mainsail area95.20 sq ft (8.844 m2)
Jib/genoa area121.49 sq ft (11.287 m2)
Total sail area216.69 sq ft (20.131 m2)
Racing
PHRF240

With an optional red and orange hull and sail stripe trim package, the boat was sold as the S2 6.8 Exciter.[1]

Production edit

The design was built by S2 Yachts in Holland, Michigan, United States from 1978 until 1978, with 150 boats completed, but it is now out of production.[1][3][4]

Design edit

The S2 6.8 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a raked stem, an angled transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed shoal draft keel with an optional cast iron centerboard. It displaces 2,900 lb (1,315 kg) and carries 1,100 lb (499 kg) of lead ballast.[1][3]

The keel-only-equipped version of the boat has a draft of 2.00 ft (0.61 m), while the centerboard-equipped version has a draft of 4.50 ft (1.37 m) with the centerboard extended and 2.00 ft (0.61 m) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water, beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.[1][3]

The boat is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp (2 to 4 kW) outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[1][3]

The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin and two straight settee berths in the main cabin. The galley is located on the port side at the companionway ladder. The galley is equipped with a sink. The head is located under the "V"-berth in the bow cabin on the port side. Cabin headroom is 51 in (130 cm).[1][3]

The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 240 and a hull speed of 5.7 kn (10.6 km/h).[3]

Operational history edit

In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "Here is a 1970s-style flush-deck offering from S2 ... The S2 6.8 was offered with either a keel-centerboard arrangement ... or as a plain shoal-draft keel (same hull without the centerboard). Best features: the big, flat forward deck is ideal for sunbathing, assuming cure not short-tacking upwind with a 150% decksweeper jib. Her cockpit looks big and comfortable, with high coamings for good back support. Worst features: To our eyes she's not a pretty boat; we think the flush deck and lack of springy sheer give her a tubby look, With the lowest SA/D ratio, the highest D/L ratio, and the highest Motion Index among her comp[etitor]s, she is apt to be slower (note the relatively high PHRF rating) though more stable and comfortable in a seaway. With only one small forward hatch and no opening ports for ventilation, she wouldn't be a good choice for extended cruising in hot climates."[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g McArthur, Bruce (2021). "S2 6.8 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  2. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Arthur Edmunds". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Henkel, Steve: The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats, page 195. International Marine/McGraw-Hill, 2010. ISBN 978-0-07-163652-0
  4. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "S2 Yachts (USA) 1974 - 1989". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2021.

External links edit

  • Video - sailing an S2 6.8