[1][2][3][4][5][6] The design was built by S2 Yachts in Holland, Michigan, United States, starting in 1980, with 103 boats completed, but it is now out of production.
It has a masthead sloop rig, a raked stem, a reverse transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a wheel, with an emergency back-up tiller and a fixed fin keel or optional shoal draft keel.
[1][4][2][5] The boat is fitted with a Japanese Yanmar 1GM diesel engine of 8 hp (6 kW) for docking and maneuvering.
The galley is located to the port side at the companionway and is equipped with a two-burner stove, an icebox and a sink.
[4][5] In a 2000 review in Practical Sailor, Darrell Nicholson wrote, "the S2 8.5 is a good boat for cruising the Great Lakes or any coast in comfort and a certain amount of style.