The 6.7 belonged to S2’s light, high-performance racing line, which used metric designations based on approximate length overall in meters. Between 1980 and 1983, S2 completed 142 lifting-keel boats and 18 fixed-keel models. The design evolved into the S2 6.9 in 1983 and is now out of production.
Design and Construction
The S2 6.7 is a recreational keelboat built predominantly of fiberglass, with a raked stem and plumb transom. S2 built its racing and Grand Slam models, including the 6.7, with balsa-cored hulls and decks to reduce weight and maximize stiffness. This construction distinguished them from the solid-fiberglass cruising hulls elsewhere in the company’s range.
At 22 feet overall with an 8-foot beam, the 6.7 displaces 2,200 pounds and carries 770 pounds of lead ballast. Its 35 percent ballast-displacement ratio and modest dimensions mark it as a light, high-performance hull rather than a pocket cruiser. The boat trades interior volume for trailering ease and light-air performance.
S2 offered either a lifting keel or a fixed fin keel. The retracted keel allows operation in shallow water, as well as beaching and ground transport on a trailer.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The S2 6.7 carries a tall fractional sloop rig. Period testers said its fractional foretriangle would power the light hull well in all airs. A transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller keeps the steering simple and direct, and the boat may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker for downwind sailing.
The retractable keel and rudder make the boat easily trailerable and allow it to skim right up to a beach. Owners report that, with the lifting keel raised, the hull has practically nothing below the waterline. That makes launching and retrieving from a trailer comparatively easy.
The design earned an average PHRF racing handicap of 205, consistent with its purpose as a buoy racer that could also manage a weekend cruise.
Accommodations
The S2 6.7 sleeps four. A double V-berth fills the bow cabin, while two straight settee berths occupy the main cabin. The galley is on the port side, just aft of the bow cabin, and the head is tucked beneath the V-berth.
It’s a compact but complete arrangement for a 22-foot trailerable boat. The layout reflects the dual-purpose brief: there’s enough accommodation for a couple’s weekend aboard, without cluttering a boat intended to remain quick around the marks.
Known Issues
According to owner reports, the heavy lifting keel and its winch are bound to cause problems sooner or later, simply by the nature of the system. Buyers and owners should regard the lifting-keel mechanism and winch as wear items that require regular attention, rather than as a set-and-forget arrangement.
Verdict
The S2 6.7 is a focused little racer-cruiser that trades interior volume for easy trailering and light-air performance. Its balsa-cored hull and deck, tall fractional rig, and retractable appendages make it a genuine dual-purpose design from the early-1980s performance fleet.
It’s best suited to sailors who want one boat for buoy racing and the occasional beachable weekend escape.
Pros
- Light, stiff balsa-cored construction from S2’s Grand Slam racing line
- Tall fractional rig that powers the light hull well across the wind range
- Retractable keel and rudder for beaching, shallow-water use, and easy trailering
- Four berths in a 22-foot trailerable boat
Cons
- Lifting keel and winch are inherently prone to trouble over time
- Minimal below-waterline profile with the keel raised leaves little margin for shoal mishaps
- Small dimensions limit comfort beyond a couple’s weekend cruise
