S2 9.2 C Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The 9.2’s hull is a conservative hand-laid fiberglass laminate with solid glass below the waterline and a balsa-cored deck joined by a conventional inward-turning flange protected by an aluminum toerail. S2 was among the first sailboat builders to line interiors with fabric, and the 9.2 wears a neutral polypropylene hull liner treated to resist mildew; test sailors found it holds up amazingly well and absorbs virtually no water. Above the liner, the rest of the interior is teak veneer plywood, Formica, and solid teak trim with good workmanship. The deck layout shows proper attention to anchor wells, bow fittings, and halyard runs, though walkways forward are somewhat narrow and the center-cockpit version demands a considerable step up from the companionway.

Rig and Handling

The 9.2 C is a masthead sloop carrying 468 square feet of sail area-260 forward and 208 aft-on a deck-stepped Kenyon spar with North sails as standard, later Hall or Offshore. With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.41 and a displacement-length ratio of 280, the boat balances main and jib well and is easy to sail. Testers found her respectable on most points, moving very well close and broad reaching and only a bit sluggish running; in most regions she carries a PHRF of 180, six seconds slower for the shoal keel. That same shoal-draft option cut the 4-foot 11-inch draft to 3-foot 11-inch and, paired with worn sails in one test, would not go to weather decently.

Stability and Performance Character

The 4,000-pound ballast is adequate for stability but feeds a reputation for tenderness. Testers sailing a shoal-draft 9.2 were surprised at its heel angle, and other owners in the survey agree the shoal model heels fairly easily, with a number feeling even the deeper-draft boat is tender. Several owners report you must reduce sail fairly early to keep her on her feet and sailing well. The capsize screening figure of 1.92 and comfort ratio of 25.77 frame a boat that is moderate in motion but not a stiff one.

Accommodations

The interior layout was the 9.2’s strongest selling point. The center-cockpit model shifts the main cabin forward and places the head aft, near and partly beneath the cockpit, with the galley opposite extending aft along the port side and slipping below the cockpit. The aft-cabin is roomy, with an athwartship double berth and good locker space, though the center-cockpit arrangement sacrifices virtually all outside storage. Headroom is 6.25 feet. The aft-cockpit sister offers generous seating with well-cushioned benches and good all-around visibility, a large dinette and settee, and decent lazarette stowage, but its V-berth is a bit short for taller crews.

Engine and Systems

Standard power is a Yanmar 2GM diesel of 12 horsepower, though a few 1977–78 boats left with Atomic 4 gas engines and after 1979 diesels were standard, with 12- or 15-hp Yanmars or 12-hp Volvos through 1984 and a Yanmar 23 optional in 1985. A number of owners report the boat feels underpowered with the Yanmar 12 and 15 and the Volvo 12; the Yanmar 15 in one test boat pushed her fine in calm water but the owner said she couldn’t buck a head sea. A few boats were sold with raw-water cooling rather than a heat exchanger.

Known Issues

Engine accessibility varies dramatically between aft and center-cockpit models. In the center-cockpit 9.2, many owners complained about one side of the engine being hard to reach and the dipstick being awkward to get at. The narrow side decks and step-up to the center cockpit are practical annoyances rather than faults.

The Verdict

The S2 9.2 C is a thoughtfully laid-out small center-cockpit cruiser with an interior that punches above its length and a hull built to a conservative, honest standard. She is tender and modestly powered, and the center-cockpit engine placement is a genuine service compromise, but the livability and clean deck execution make her a sensible used-cruiser candidate for couples who sail sheltered waters and watch the breeze.

Pros