[1][2][3][4] The boat was built by Tanzer Industries Limited in Dorion, Quebec.

[1][2][4][5] The Tanzer 8.5 is a small recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fibreglass, with wood trim.

It has a masthead sloop rig, a transom-hung rudder and a fixed fin keel.

[1][2][4] The boat is powered by a Japanese-made Yanmar diesel engine, supplied by a fuel tank with a capacity of 15 US gal (57 L).

Nevertheless, the 8.5 is a much larger boat inside and out, and comes with wide side decks and an inboard diesel engine.