Designed by Ron Holder and Dave Ulmann in 1980, this compact 20-footer represents an interesting chapter in small boat sailing history. Built by Vagabond Sailboats and later Hobie through 1987, with 265 hulls produced, the Holder 20 carved out a niche as a versatile daysailer and weekend cruiser. The boat's most distinctive feature is its lifting keel design, which retracts from a full 3.58-foot draft to allow shallow water exploration and easy trailer launching. This flexibility makes it particularly appealing for coastal cruising, lake sailing, and exploring shallow anchorages that deeper-draft boats cannot access. The fractional sloop rig provides good sail handling characteristics, while the 194 square feet of sail area delivers respectable performance for such a compact package. With a displacement of just 1,160 pounds and 260 pounds of ballast, this fiberglass boat emphasizes portability over heavy-weather capability. The relatively light displacement and lifting keel configuration suggest it's best suited for protected waters rather than offshore passages. The moderate beam of 7.83 feet provides decent stability while maintaining trailerable dimensions, making it an attractive option for sailors seeking adventure without marina slip fees.
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What is the Holder 20's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Holder 20 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 28.17. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Holder 20's comfort ratio?
The Holder 20 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 6.08. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Holder 20 safe for offshore sailing?
The Holder 20 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.98. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Holder 20?
The theoretical hull speed of the Holder 20 is 5.75 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Holder 20 weigh?
The Holder 20 has a displacement of 1,160.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 20.33 ft.
Who designed the Holder 20?
The Holder 20 was designed by Ron Holder/Dave Ulmann, first built in 1980.