S2 11.0A

1977–1987 · designed by Arthur Edmunds · built by S2 Yachts

The S2 11.0A is a 36-foot production cruiser-racer designed by Arthur Edmunds and built by S2 Yachts of Holland, Michigan, aimed at the American family coastal cruising and club racing market. Introduced in 1977 and produced through 1987, it prioritizes interior volume and sailing performance in a mid-market package, reflecting the design ethos of the late 1970s and early 1980s IOR-influenced cruiser-racer era. The boat carries a reasonable sail plan and a relatively beamy hull for its era, delivering comfortable passage-making capability in protected and semi-offshore waters. It was positioned as an accessible performance cruiser for sailors upgrading from smaller boats.

This is a general read on the S2 11.0A class — informed background, not a verdict on any individual boat. Condition, refit history, and how a particular hull was sailed and stored matter far more than class reputation. Use it to know what to look for; for a read on a specific listing, run a free FairKeel report on that boat.

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At a glance

Hull form: Fin Keel
Rudder: Spade
Mast step: Keel Stepped
Hull construction: Fiberglass
Production: 1977–1987
Built in: US

What the S2 11.0A is known for

Solid mid-market construction quality for its era — S2 Yachts had a consistent production reputation and better-than-average fit and finish compared to some contemporary builders.
Beamy hull provides good interior volume and reasonable initial stability for family coastal use.
Keel-stepped mast is more reliable offshore than deck-stepped alternatives and simplifies rig inspections.
Active used market with relatively available parts; the S2 brand is well-recognized in the Great Lakes and East Coast sailing communities.
156 hulls built gives a meaningful owner community with institutional knowledge, forum resources, and precedent for parts sourcing.

Known trade-offs

All hulls are now 38-49 years old — the cumulative deferred maintenance risk is high, and a clean survey is the exception rather than the rule on unrefitted examples.
Balsa deck core is highly vulnerable to moisture intrusion and is difficult to remediate comprehensively without major deck work.
Original standing rigging on any unrefitted hull represents a genuine safety liability, particularly for coastal or offshore use.
Resale value ceiling is low relative to refit costs — over-investing in a thorough refit can be difficult to recover at sale.
1980s electrical systems are typically undersized by modern standards and may not support navigation, AIS, autopilot, and refrigeration without a full rewire.

Age-related quirks to expect

Osmotic blistering on hull below waterline Medium 1977-1987 (all years)

Deck core moisture intrusion at hardware penetrations Medium 1977-1987 (all years)

Original standing rigging at or past service life High All hulls over 20 years old

Original inboard diesel (Universal, Volvo, Yanmar, or Pathfinder) at high hours or end of service life Medium 1977-1984 era hulls especially

Chainplate deck fittings showing corrosion or leaking bedding Medium 1977-1987 (all years)

Original 12V electrical system — undersized wiring, old panel, deteriorated connections Low All hulls with unupdated systems

Systems to check before you buy

Hull bottom and keel-hull joint priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard

Inspect the keel-hull joint closely for cracking, weeping, or movement — the keel configuration on 1980s production boats can develop joint separation over time. Below-waterline blistering is common on hulls that have not had barrier coat work; expect to find osmosis on any hull that hasn't been documented as remediated. Ballast configuration should be confirmed by survey before assuming bolt-on or encapsulated inspection protocols.

Standing rigging and mast priority: offshore, coastal, racing

All wire rigging and swaged terminals should be treated as suspect on any hull where replacement history is not documented. S2-era rigs used standard swaged 1x19 wire; swage fatigue and hidden crevice corrosion at terminals are the main failure modes. Mast step area (keel-stepped) should be inspected for corrosion or rot if any wood structure exists at the base.

Deck hardware bedding and core priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard, weekending

Balsa-cored deck construction typical of this era is vulnerable to moisture ingress at every hardware penetration. Probe with a moisture meter around stanchion bases, chainplates, and cabin-top hardware. Soft or delaminated deck sections are common on boats without a documented hardware rebedding program.

Engine and engine mounts priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard

Original diesel engines on 40-year-old hulls are at or past realistic service life unless overhauled. Engines fitted include Universal, Volvo, Pathfinder, and Yanmar units. Check hour meter, oil analysis history, and inspect mounts for deterioration. Exhaust system including waterlock, hose, and transom fitting should be inspected for integrity. Budget for repower if hours are unknown or high.

Chainplates and bulkhead attachment priority: offshore, coastal, racing

Chainplates on S2 production boats of this era are typically stainless steel straps glassed or bolted through the hull or bulkhead. Leaking chainplate deck penetrations are common and lead to hidden rot or delamination in the adjacent structure. Inspect from below-decks as well as at deck level.

How it fits your plans

Offshore: Marginal for serious bluewater passages without a documented refit — aging rigging, potential keel-joint issues, and 1980s structural standards are limitations. Suitable for coastal offshore legs (overnights, island-hopping) if systems are current and the hull has been surveyed recently.
Coastal: A capable and comfortable coastal cruiser in good condition. Adequate sail area, reasonable motion, and a functional interior make it competitive in the used market for family coastal sailing. Best suited to protected and semi-exposed waters with day-sailing or weekend range.
Liveaboard: Tight for full-time liveaboard but workable for single occupants or couples with minimalist expectations. Interior volume is adequate for its era; tankage and systems upgrades are typically needed for comfortable extended stays.
Weekending: Well-suited to weekending. The layout handles two couples reasonably well, performance is engaging without being demanding, and the boat is easy to singlehand on short passages.
Racing: Competitive in PHRF club racing in its day; now primarily eligible for vintage or handicap fleets. Fun club racer if the sail inventory is current, but not a performance priority purchase.

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