Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 21.7′, the S2 79 Fk tops out around 6.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.7′ LWL = 6.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
38.3%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
178
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
6.2kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the S2 79 Fk sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Capri 26 Catalina
Chrysler 26
Cape Dory 26
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the S2 79 Fk.
| S2 79 Fk | Cape Dory 26 | Capri 26 Catalina | Chrysler 26 | S2 79 | S2 80 B | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 25.9 | 25.9 | 26.0 | 26.0 | 25.9 | 26.0 |
| LWL | 21.7 | 19.3 | 22.5 | 22.0 | 21.7 | 21.4 |
| Beam | 9.0 | 8.0 | 9.1 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Displacement | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Ballast | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 304 | 268 | 257 | 329 | 282 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 237 | 213 | 228 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.1 | 16.0 | 14.1 | 20.1 | 16.4 |
| Bal/Disp | 38.3 | 45.3 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 39.4 | — |
| Comfort | — | 24.2 | 15.2 | 20.9 | 15.3 | 19.5 |
| Capsize | — | 1.84 | 2.22 | 1.87 | 2.23 | 1.93 |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.9 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 6.2 |