S2 7.9

{{Short description|US recreational keelboat}} {{Excessive citations|date=April 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Use American English|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox sailboat specifications |name = S2 7.9 |insignia = |insignia size = |insignia alt = |insignia caption = |line drawing = |line size = |line alt = |line caption = |image boat = |image size = |image alt = |image caption =

|designer = Graham & Schlageter |architect = |location = United States |year = 1981 |no built = 545 |design = |class = MORC |brand = |builder = S2 Yachts |role = Racer

|boats = |crew = |trapeze = |draft = {{convert|5.00|ft|m|abbr=on}} with keel down |air draft = |displacement = {{convert|4250|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}

|hulls = |hull type = monohull |construction = fiberglass |loa = {{convert|25.92|ft|m|abbr=on}} |loh = |lwl = {{convert|21.67|ft|m|abbr=on}} |beam = {{convert|9.00|ft|m|abbr=on}} |hull draft = |hull weight = |engine = outboard motor

|appendages = |keel type = daggerboard keel |ballast = {{convert|1675|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} |rudder type = transom-mounted rudder

|rigs = |rig type = Bermuda rig |I = {{convert|30.50|ft|m|abbr=on}} |J = {{convert|9.50|ft|m|abbr=on}} |P = {{convert|29.42|ft|m|abbr=on}} |E = {{convert|12.25|ft|m|abbr=on}} |mast length = |rig other =

|sails = |sailplan = fractional rigged sloop |sailarea main = {{convert|180.20|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} |sailarea headsail = {{convert|144.88|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} |sailarea spin = |sailarea gen = |sails other = |sailarea upwind = |sailarea downwind = |sailarea total = {{convert|325.07|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}

|rating = |d-pn = |rya-pn = |phrf = 168

|status = |previous = |successor = }}

The '''S2 7.9''', originally called the '''Grand Slam 7.9''', is a recreational keelboat that was designed by Graham & Schlageter as a one-design and Midget Ocean Racing Club (MORC) racer-cruiser and first built by S2 Yachts in Holland, Michigan, United States.<ref name="Data" /><ref name="DataFK" /><ref name="Guide" /><ref name="GuideFK" /><ref>{{cite web|url =https://sailboatdata.com/builder/s2-yachts-usa|title = S2 Yachts (USA) 1974 - 1989 |access-date = 2 December 2021|last= McArthur| first = Bruce |work = sailboatdata.com|year = 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181017083905/https://sailboatdata.com/builder/s2-yachts-usa|archive-date = 17 October 2018|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://sailboat.guide/s2|title= S2 Yachts|access-date= 2 December 2021|author= Sea Time Tech, LLC|work= sailboat.guide|year= 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211130214000/https://sailboat.guide/s2|archive-date= 30 November 2021|url-status= live}}</ref> The designation indicates the length overall in meters.<ref name="Data">{{cite web|url= https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/s2-79|title= S2 7.9 sailboat |access-date= 2 December 2021|last= McArthur| first= Bruce |work= sailboatdata.com|year= 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211202174559/https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/s2-79|archive-date= 2 December 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="DataFK">{{cite web|url= https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/s2-79-fk|title= S2 7.9 FK sailboat |access-date= 2 December 2021|last= McArthur| first= Bruce |work= sailboatdata.com|year= 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211202174547/https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/s2-79-fk|archive-date= 2 December 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://sailboatdata.com/designer/graham-schlageter|title= Graham & Schlageter 1975 - 1989|access-date = 2 December 2021|last= McArthur| first = Bruce |work = sailboatdata.com|year = 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211128154748/https://sailboatdata.com/designer/graham-schlageter|archive-date= 28 November 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="Guide">{{cite web|url= https://sailboat.guide/s2/79|title= S2 7.9|access-date= 2 December 2021|author= Sea Time Tech, LLC|work= sailboat.guide|year= 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211202175629/https://sailboat.guide/s2/79|archive-date= 2 December 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="GuideFK">{{cite web|url= https://sailboat.guide/s2/79-fk|title= S2 7.9 FK|access-date= 2 December 2021|author= Sea Time Tech, LLC|work= sailboat.guide|year= 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211202175639/https://sailboat.guide/s2/79-fk|archive-date= 2 December 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://sailboat.guide/graham-schlageter|title= Graham & Schlageter|access-date= 2 December 2021|author= Sea Time Tech, LLC|work= sailboat.guide|year= 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211202175237/https://sailboat.guide/graham-schlageter|archive-date= 2 December 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="SW">{{cite web|url= https://www.sailingworld.com/s2-79m|title= S2-7.9m|access-date= 2 December 2021|work= Sailing World|year= 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211202190206/https://www.sailingworld.com/s2-79m|archive-date= 2 December 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="Spin">{{cite web|url= https://www.spinsheet.com/boat-reviews/s2-79-used-boat-review|title= S2 7.9 Used Boat Review|access-date= 2 December 2021|last= Hornor|first= Jack|work= SpinSheet|date= November 2001|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211202190254/https://www.spinsheet.com/boat-reviews/s2-79-used-boat-review|archive-date= 2 December 2021|url-status= live}}</ref>

==Production== In 1989 the company was asked by the ''S2 7.9 Class Association'' if the design could be put back into limited production and the company agreed, but with a minimum order of ten boats for production to be restarted. The association and the S2 dealership network tried to come up with the ten orders, but was unable to do so at that time. ''Practical Sailor'' magazine termed this incident, "an unfortunate commentary on the sailboat industry" and noted it marked the end of sailboat production for the company.<ref name="PS1">{{cite web|url = https://www.practical-sailor.com/reviews/boatreview/s2_9.2-1236-1.html|title = S2 9.2|access-date = 15 May 2019|work = Practical Sailor|year=|archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20181018165011/https://www.practical-sailor.com/reviews/boatreview/s2_9.2-1236-1.html |archivedate = 18 October 2018|url-status= dead}}</ref>

A few more boats were built by S2's Tiara division in 1990 and 1994.<ref name="Spin"/>

==Design== The S2 7.9 is built predominantly of hand laid fiberglass with an end-grain balsa core, with wood trim. All models have a raked stem, a plumb transom and a transom-hung, pivoting rudder controlled by a tiller.<ref name="Data"/><ref name="DataFK"/><ref name="Guide"/><ref name="GuideFK"/><ref name="PS">{{cite web|url= https://www.practical-sailor.com/sailboat-reviews/s2-7-9|title= S2 7.9|access-date= 2 December 2021 |last= Nicholson|first= Darrell|work= Practical Sailing|date= 14 June 2000|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211202190213/https://www.practical-sailor.com/sailboat-reviews/s2-7-9|archive-date= 2 December 2021|url-status= live}}</ref>

The boat is normally fitted with a small outboard motor for docking and maneuvering. A German BMW inboard diesel engine of {{convert|7.5|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} was a factory option plus a few were factory-equipped with Yanmar diesels.<ref name="Data"/><ref name="Guide"/><ref name="Berth">{{cite web|url= https://sailingmagazine.net/article-872-s2-7.9.html|title= S2 7.9|access-date= 2 December 2021|last= Berth|first= Brook|work= Sailing magazine|date= 12 May 2010|archive-url= https://archive.today/20211202190716/https://sailingmagazine.net/article-872-s2-7.9.html|archive-date= 2 December 2021|url-status= live}}</ref>

The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin, and two straight settee quarter berths in the main cabin. The galley is located on the port side just forward of the companionway ladder. The galley is on the port side, is "minimal" and is equipped with an icebox and a sink, but no stove. The head is located next to the keel trunk on the starboard side. Cabin headroom is {{convert|64|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="PS"/><ref name="Berth"/>

For sailing the design is equipped with a 155% genoa or a 105% jib. For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker.<ref name="PS"/>

The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 168 and a hull speed of {{convert|6.24|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Guide"/><ref name="PS"/>

With a beam of {{convert|9.00|ft|m|abbr=on}} the boat is not legally trailerable in most North American jurisdictions.<ref name="PS"/><ref name="Berth"/><ref name="Spin"/>

==Variants== ;S2 7.9 FK :This fixed keel model, with a masthead sloop rig, was introduced in 1979 and produced until 1986, but only 17 boats were built. It displaces {{convert|4050|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and carries {{convert|1550|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} of ballast. The boat has a draft of {{convert|5.00|ft|m|abbr=on}} with the standard keel.<ref name="DataFK"/><ref name="GuideFK"/><ref name="PS"/> ;S2 7.9 :This lifting daggerboard keel model, with a fractional sloop rig, was introduced in 1981, produced until 1986 and 545 boats were constructed. It displaces {{convert|4250|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and carries {{convert|1675|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} of lead ballast. One third of the ballast is in the keel and the balance fiberglassed into the hull. The boat has a draft of {{convert|5.00|ft|m|abbr=on}} with the lifting keel down and {{convert|1.12|ft|m|abbr=on}} with the keel up.<ref name="Data"/><ref name="Guide"/><ref name="PS"/>

==Reception== In a 2000 review Darrell Nicholson wrote in ''Practical Sailor'', "S2 did a good job of aiming the boat at a variety of sailors: racers, daysailors, and weekenders. For racers interested in a one-design boat, the class is not strong outside the Great Lakes. But for the sailor into handicap racing, the boat seems a good possibility. It’s definitely competitive in MORC and PHRF fleets. And unlike other high-performance boats its size—the Olson 25, J/24, Merit 25, Evelyn 26, or Capri 25 — the 7.9 is a boat you could stand sleeping aboard or taking on a rainy overnight race."<ref name="PS" />

Brook Berth wrote in ''Sailing Magazine'', "the S2 7.9 is a nicely designed, well-built one-design racer that can be cruised on short trips."<ref name="Berth"/>

Jack Hornor wrote in ''The SpinSheet'', "the S2 7.9 provides exhilarating sailing performance and has the added benefit of sufficient accommodations to make occasional weekend cruises or overnight races tolerable at least. "<ref name="Spin"/>

A ''Sailing World'' review called the boat an "eminently sailable family cruiser-racer."<ref name="SW"/>

==References== {{Reflist}}{{S2 Yachts}} Category:1970s sailboat type designs Category:Sailboat type designs by Graham & Schlageter Category:Sailboat types built by S2 Yachts Category:25-foot keelboats