Introduced as the lead boat in the “Grand Slam” series before S2 dropped that label, the 7.9 debuted late in 1981 as a 1982 model. Production continued until S2 stopped building sailboats in 1986. Tiara Yachts revived the model in limited numbers in 1990 and 1994, bringing total production to 545 hulls.
Designed as a MORC and handicap club racer, the 7.9 was intended to trade tacks with the J/24, Olson 25, and Evelyn 26. It went on to become a proven competitor in MORC, PHRF, and one-design fleets nationwide.
Design and Construction
The 7.9 is a stable, stiff, fractionally rigged sloop with narrow forward entries and a broad stern. Its hand-laid fiberglass construction uses end-grain balsa in both hull and deck.
S2 had a strong industry reputation for its gelcoat and hand layup. The gelcoat reads thicker than usual for a production boat, allowing minor scratches to be rubbed out without penetrating the laminate.
The hull and deck meet on an inward flange secured with stainless-steel screws through an extruded aluminum toerail. S2 used screws rather than through-bolts with nuts, a method judged inferior and prone to leaking over time. All deck hardware is through-bolted. The lifeline stanchions have stainless-steel backing plates, while other fittings are secured with only washers and nuts.
The balsa-cored deck and cabin top are vulnerable around hardware attachment points, particularly on boats that have been raced hard. Keeping fittings properly maintained is essential to prevent water from reaching the core.
Keel, Ballast, and Hull Form
Most S2 7.9s have a lead-ballasted daggerboard. A limited fixed-keel version was also built, with increased keel weight and no internal ballast. It weighs 4,050 pounds, compared with 4,250 pounds for the standard boat.
Of the standard boat’s 1,750 pounds of ballast, nearly a third is carried in the daggerboard. The remainder is glassed inside the hull. Retracted flush, the board allows trailer launching and reduces draft to just 13 inches. Fully lowered, it forms a hydrodynamically efficient 5-foot keel.
A strong weldment surrounds the trunk opening to limit damage from grounding. When lowered, the board settles into a V-crotch. When raised on the starboard secondary winch, however, it bangs loosely in the trunk. The board can’t be pinned down, an obvious vulnerability in heavy going, although the boat passed the MORC self-righting test with the board fully raised.
The transom-hung rudder has a foam core and neutral buoyancy. It pivots for trailering.
Rig, Deck Layout, and Sailing Performance
The fractional rig, supplied by Offshore Spars, uses swept-back spreaders. The upper shrouds therefore act as backstays, while the actual backstay mainly bends the untapered, heavy, and easily bendable mast to shape the main.
Inboard chainplates carry the upper and lower shrouds. The port chainplate has a 2-foot unsupported free span, however, which works under load and commonly leaks.
The 7.9 sails best when kept flat and rounds up when overpowered. Owners report that it wipes out in heavy puffs while beating. With a PHRF rating of 168, it matches a J/24. The class sail inventory consists of four sails—a mainsail, 155% genoa, 105% jib, and spinnaker—and delivers exhilarating performance.
Oversize primary winches complete the working deck layout. The traveler sits amidships in the cockpit, where it also doubles as a shin ravager.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The cockpit is nearly eight feet long, with enough room for six people while daysailing and eight for drinks at the dock. That capacity is one of the boat’s clear strengths.
Below, a molded fiberglass floorpan forms the berths, cabin sole, and galley, while carpeting covers the hull sides. Headroom is about 5 feet 4 inches, so most adults will need to stoop.
The forward V-berth sleeps two at anchor, and long, wide quarterberths extend aft. The daggerboard trunk discreetly forms one wall of the cramped head compartment, where using the Porta Potti leaves the occupant’s knees protruding through the curtain.
The galley is minimal, with a shallow sink, small icebox, and tiny counter. Ventilation is nonexistent unless the boat was fitted with the optional opening ports.
Known Issues and Service Access
Beyond leaks at the deck joint and port chainplate, Practical Sailor found that several owners reported leaking cockpit lockers in otherwise dry boats. The balsa core also demands vigilant fitting maintenance.
The daggerboard’s lifting arrangement deserves particular note. One owner destroyed the secondary winch while raising the board, while another considered the #16 winch inadequate for a woman or small man.
Engine access is otherwise open, but the fuel shutoff and filter are awkward to reach through an inspection port in the port quarterberth.
The Verdict
The S2 7.9 is a thoughtfully engineered small racer-cruiser that punches above its length. Its retracting lead daggerboard, stiff fractional rig, strong performance, and cockpit built for company are substantial assets. The balsa construction and clever daggerboard-trunk details reflect careful design, but the screw-only deck joint, working port chainplate, and lack of ventilation below temper the picture.
Pros
- Retractable lead daggerboard provides 13-inch shoal draft and an efficient 5-foot keel
- Stiff, stable fractional rig, oversize winches, and strong sailing performance with a PHRF rating of 168
- Roomy cockpit and genuinely usable berths for weekend cruising
Cons
- Screw-fastened deck-to-hull joint is prone to leaks and requires recurring attention
- Port chainplate’s unsupported free span works and leaks; daggerboard can’t be pinned down
- Minimal galley, no ventilation below unless optional opening ports were fitted, and a cramped head
- 9-foot beam requires wide-load permits
