S2 6.8 Info request

[joeh]

I am looking at buying a 1978 S2 6.8...it has been reconditioned nicely, but there is no swing keel, the previous owner says it's a 2' draft boat, able to reach shallow areas because it has no drop or swing keel...the guy who cleaned and painted the bottom is not a sail boat expert, he states that the bottom is fully sealed, no slots or opening for a keel at all...the previous owner states that S2 built 4 types of the 6.8, 2 had drop/swing keels and 2 did not...

does anyone know any further detials or can you point me towards a site that may?

Thanks,

[David Luckenbach]

Here's a link to the only S2 6.8 on Sailing Texas,
www.sailingtexas.com/ss268a.html

Clearly it has a keel and a centerboard. I wonder if they built one without a board. Looking around, the Portsmouth handicap system only lists one S2 6.8, and I could find no mention of a 6.8 without a board. I wonder if S2 built two models of the 6.8, it sounds doubtful.

The centerboard could have been removed and the hole glassed over, if so you might be able to tell from looking in the bilge. If the board was removed, the boat will still sail, but not as well.

David

[roipat]

I HAVE A S2 6.8 SINCE THE 80'S AND HAVE LOVED IT.  MINE IS A SHOAL DRAFT KEEL, NO DROP DOWN KEEL HAS EVER BEEN ON IT.  I LOVE MY BOAT HAD A CATALINA 25 FOR 3 YEARS AND CAME BACK TO S2.  THIS BOAT IS PERFECT FOR INLAND LAKES.  MINE IS ON LAKE BELTON.  WITH THIS BOAT YOU CAN PUT IT RIGHT ON ANY SANDY SHORE.  I PUT MINE ON THE TEMPLE LAKE PARK BEACH EVERY SUMMER.

THIS BOAT DOESN'T POINT WELL AND DOESN'T TAC WELL, BUT IT IS A JOY TO SAIL.  YOU CAN SIT FACING FORWARD USING NORMAL FLOATING CUSHIONS.  YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON MOST BOATS UNDER 25 FT.

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME AND TAKE PEOPLE OUT WITH YOU I FIND THAT WITH MORE THAT 2 PEOPLE SOME ONE WILL GO FORWARD OR JUST STAND ON TOP.  THE FLAT TOP WILL BE MORE USED THAN ANY OTHER FEATURE ONE THE BOAT. 

IF YOU HAVE A PLASTIC KEEL YOUR IN TOUGH SHAPE.  BUT IF IT IS SOLD LEAD LIKE MINE YOU HAVE NO PROBLEM.


PAT