This fractional-sloop racer-day sailer measures 18 feet overall, with a 16.25-foot waterline, a 7.67-foot beam, and a displacement of 600 pounds. Its metric name reflects its approximate length in meters rather than a rounded imperial measurement.
Design and Construction
Wennersten’s brief for S2’s Grand Slam series emphasized light, high-performance racing hulls, and the 5.5 is the most compact expression of that approach. Built predominantly of fiberglass with wood trim, it has a raked stem and plumb transom. The result is a modern racing profile rather than the silhouette of a traditional daysailer.
As the smallest boat in S2’s range and the company’s only dinghy, the 5.5 occupies a distinct place in an otherwise keelboat-dominated catalog. Its retractable centerboard allows the boat to operate in shallow water, be beached, or travel on a trailer with the board raised. That flexibility is central to its role as a trailerable day sailer and racer.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The 5.5 carries a fractional sloop rig, also described as a Bermuda rig. Its 176 square feet of sail area drives the 600-pound hull. Steering is by a transom-hung rudder and tiller, a direct, responsive arrangement well suited to a racing dinghy.
The design has a displacement-to-length ratio of 62.42 and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 39.58, placing it firmly in the light-air camp. The centerboard lowers to provide upwind bite and retracts for shallow-water sailing and beaching.
A hull speed of 5.4 knots is cited for the design. That figure is modest for its size but consistent with a trailerable day racer intended to be launched and retrieved by a small crew.
Accommodations and Intended Use
The S2 5.5 was conceived as a recreational racer and day sailer, and the sources describe no belowdecks accommodation beyond that role. Its wood trim and open-dinghy character make it better suited to training or harbor racing than weekend cruising.
The 7.67-foot beam provides a stable platform for crew weight, but the boat’s priorities are speed and simplicity afloat, not cabin comfort.
Verdict
The S2 5.5 is a purpose-built Wennersten dinghy that distills S2’s Grand Slam racing approach into an 18-foot boat. Its retractable centerboard and trailerable format make it an accessible option for club racing or day sailing. However, its limited production run of 70 boats and its open-dinghy layout restrict its appeal as a cruising boat.
Pros
- The smallest and only dinghy model built by S2 Yachts
- Retractable centerboard permits beaching, shallow-water sailing, and trailer transport
- Light fractional-sloop racer with responsive tiller steering
Cons
- Only 70 were built, limiting availability on any market
- No cabin accommodations; intended only for day sailing and racing
- Out of production since 1983
