HOLDER 17
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 17 ft |
| LWL | 15 ft |
| Beam | 7.25 ft |
| Draft | 4.17 ft/ 1.67 ft min |
| Displacement | 950 lb |
| Ballast | 345 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 18.8 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 6.66 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 20 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 7.75 ft |
| FLforestay | 6.7 ft |
| Mainsail | 82 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 65 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 210 sq ft |
About the HOLDER 17
An earlier version was called the VAGABOND 17. Sail area: -Main: 82 ft² -Jib: 65 ft² -Genoa: 87 ft² -Spinnaker: 210 ft²
The Holder 17 is a compact fractional sloop designed by Ron Holder and built by Holder Marine (USA) in 1982. With a production run of unknown quantity, this 17.0 ft LOA vessel is characterized by its lightweight 950.0 lb displacement and 7.25 ft beam.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and trailerable boat owners seeking a responsive, lightweight day-sailer that can be easily transported and stored.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 950.0 lb and a comfort ratio of 6.72, the Holder 17 is designed for coastal use rather than offshore bluewater cruising.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include other 1980s trailerable fractional sloops like the O'Day 18 or Catalina 16.5, sharing similar roles in coastal cruising and ease of handling.
Direct variant of the HOLDER 17
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the HOLDER 17 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 17ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
6 reported issues across 5 systems for the HOLDER 17, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a HOLDER 17? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 6 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your HOLDER 17?
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Used sails that fit the HOLDER 17
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…