Design and Construction
The S2 27 carries a fixed fin keel and a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller, paired with a raked stem and a plumb transom that give the hull a clean, modern cruiser profile for its era. S2 built the boat predominantly of balsa-cored AME 4000 resin fiberglass with wood trim anchor, a construction approach that reflects the mid-1980s shift within the marque toward modified epoxy resin for greater strength and osmotic resistance. The lead-ballasted hull displaces 5,000 pounds on a 9-foot-2-inch beam, with a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 40 percent and a capsize screening value of 2.16 that place it firmly in the coastal-cruiser camp rather than the bluewater category. A hull speed of roughly 6.5 knots is consistent with the 23-foot-3-inch waterline.
Rig and Handling
Above the deck, the S2 27 is a Bermuda-rigged masthead sloop, a configuration that keeps the sail plan straightforward for a small crew. An inboard engine is fitted for docking and maneuvering, taking the burden out of close-quarters handling where the tiller-steered transom rudder demands attention. For offwind work the design may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker, which broadens its range without complicating the standard rig. The 350-square-foot sail area yields a sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 19, modest but workable for a 5,000-pound cruiser.
Accommodations
Below, the S2 27 sleeps four. A double V-berth occupies the bow cabin, while the main cabin holds both an L-shaped settee and a straight settee, giving the small interior genuine versatility for a couple with guests. The U-shaped galley sits on the port side just forward of the companionway ladder and is equipped with a two-burner stove, an ice box, and a sink — a compact but functional arrangement that keeps the cook sheltered yet connected to the cockpit. Opposite, at the companionway on the starboard side, is the head, a location that simplifies plumbing and keeps sleeping areas separate from the wettest traffic path.
The Verdict
The S2 27 is a purpose-built small cruiser from a focused 1985–1987 S2 production run, offering a practical four-berth interior and a simple masthead sloop rig on a lead-ballasted fin-keel hull. Its balsa-cored AME 4000 resin fiberglass construction and tidy accommodations make it a sensible used-market entry for coastal sailing, though the tiller steering and modest sail plan suit relaxed cruising more than spirited performance.
Pros
- Balsa-cored AME 4000 resin fiberglass construction for strength and blister resistance
- Four-berth layout with separate V-berth and dual settees
- U-shaped galley and companionway-adjacent head for practical belowdecks flow
- Inboard engine for docking and maneuvering
- Symmetrical spinnaker option for downwind sailing
Cons
- Only 85 built over a short 1985–1987 run, limiting availability
- Tiller-steered transom-hung rudder requires active handling in close quarters
- Modest sail-area-to-displacement ratio favors cruising over speed
