I received the following response from Scott Smith at Tiara regarding the new run ofthe S2 7.9. As you can see, some of the concerns about the boat have been addressed and some have not.
I have answered your questions in (bold). I also want to say that we have done our best to improve the 7.9m based on the feed back where we could yet keep the one design status as intact as possible. I hope you understand that we are not investing money into new tooling (deck molds hull molds and so on) as that is what allows the boat to be offered at such a competitive price. I don’t want any of my answers to be misinterpreted as Tiara/S2 Yachts not willing to listen to all the feed back and consequently implement product change but that does not fit our program.
Scott-
What (if any) concerns have been addressed with the balsa core construction and if addressed, how were they addressed? - Balsa is still the core of choice for all of Tiara/S2’s products for many reasons. It is superior to foams in its impact resistance, sheer strength, expansion and contraction properties and bond. We have however identified a few areas that in time have proven to be vulnerable to water intrusion: examples being chain plate slots, bow eye blocks, mast base, stanchion bases, winches and fore guy block. We will substitute a high density foam block in these areas.
Windows- will there be an opening window forward of the two fixed windows per side (or option for them)? - No
Stern pulpit- will the stern pulpits be the full height wrap-around type or the lower profile “handle” type? – Full stern rail standard
Spars- who is the manufacturer? – JSI of St. Pete
Class jib- what is the percentage of the fore triangle for the class jib and for the working jib? – J = 9.5’ with the Max LP of working jib 9.94’ with a head foil and 10.0’ with hanks
Interior lights- what type? (LED preferred) – Similar to the original 7.9m
Exterior lights- what type? (LED preferred) - Similar to the original 7.9m
Battery- what is the location of the battery? - Same to the original 7.9m in the head
Electrical general- will electronics, shore power, or any other electrical options be available from the factory? - No
Deck non-skid- is the S2 custom non-skid the same as previously used? This has been reported as “brutal” or worse by many current S2 owners. –No change- it is brutal for a good reason, keeps crew on board
Slotted toe rail- can this be ordered in silver or white? Black gets hot for crew leg backs in Texas summer. Will the toe rail be screwed down or through-bolted? – We are looking into it being silver anodized and it will be screwed as all other 7.9m’s have been.
Forward deck hatch- what size is the hatch? Larger than previous? – Same size as before and Lewmar is the supplier
Chain plates- have the areas around the chain plates been strengthened? – As previously stated a different core in this area.
Mast base- has the area around the mast base been strengthened? - As previously stated a different core in this area.
Berths- thickness and type of foam used? Option for thicker / different foam? – Same as earlier 7.9m’s
Berths- are there storage areas accessible under the berths? – Thru berth tops, as earlier 7.9m’s
Storage general- are hanging fabric storage pockets standard (or available)? - No
Rigging- manufacturer and type of mast base blocks, turning blocks, and stoppers? – A complete Harken package for all blocks , Spinlock stoppers
Rigging- manufacturer and model of halyard winch (es) - Lewmar
Rigging- type of boom vang (solid vang)? - Harken
Rigging- what type of head foil system will be standard? Optional? – No
Rigging- will roller furling be standard? Optional? - No
Rigging- what manufacturer and type of turning blocks for genoa? - Harken
Rigging- are Harken primary genoa winches optional? – No
Rigging- backstay pinch roller or cascading? If cascading, manufacturer and type of blocks? – New style Layline system
Rigging- will a backstay kicker be available? – Yes, part of Layline system
Electronics- will Nexus speed / depth / tactical racing electronics be offered from the factory? If so, what will be the location of the through-hull transducer? Will the old optional hatch cover / hood be available for mounting electronics? Removable mast mount? – None from factory
What (if any) changes have been made to the galley area? Cooler mount / shelf instead of sink / icebox? – Area will be redesigned eliminating original sink and ice box and maximizing storage space. In the galley redesign we are trying to incorporate a carry on cooler storage location as well as a protected dry storage area. Still working on the details of this but we are committed to making it as useful as possible.
Rigging- will a mast mounted spinnaker halyard clam cleat be available? – Part of standard package
What (if any) changes have been made to the contours of the seats and backrests in the cockpit? - None
Does the standard Forespar spinnaker pole have bridles? What options exist for pole material / configuration? – Yes, same pole as original 7.9m
Rigging- to what material will the mainsheet traveler be mounted across the cockpit? Wood or glass? – A polyethylene block similar to the 1994 run of 7.9m’s
What (if any) changes have been made to the rudder kick-up release pin mechanism? – none, however the rudder head housing box is being redesigned to tighten tolerances
Will a self-contained / vented gas tank housing be part of the starboard side lazarette? - No
Will a standard marine toilet be offered as an option? - No
Do you plan to expand the specs listed on the website? – Basic spec’s can be found on the Tiara Yachts web site www.tiarayachts.com
Will inboard / saildrive propulsion be offered? - As in past limited runs we are only offering the out board version.
Thanks very much to Scott for the info.