HOLDER 20
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 20.33 ft |
| LWL | 18.42 ft |
| Beam | 7.83 ft |
| Draft | 3.58 ft/ 1 ft min |
| Displacement | 1,160 lb |
| Ballast | 260 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.8 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 22.6 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 7.25 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 24.04 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 9.33 ft |
| FLforestay | 7.3 ft |
| Mainsail | 203 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 81.9 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 139.3 sq ft |
About the HOLDER 20
Vagabond Sailboats built 128 of the HOLDER 20's until the molds where sold to Coast Catamaran Corporation (Hobie Cat). Hobie Cat continued to build the Holder 20 until 1987 (Hull # 265).
Designed by Ron Holder and Dave Ulmann and built by Vagabond Sailboats/Hobie from 1980–1987, the Holder 20 is a compact trailer-sailer with 265 hulls produced. Its lightweight 1160.0 lb displacement and fractional sloop rig prioritize ease of handling and performance over heavy offshore comfort.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers, trailer-sailers, and single-handers seeking a manageable, high-performance day sailor that can be easily transported and launched.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low comfort ratio of 6.08 and minimal 260.0 lb ballast, this boat is not designed for bluewater cruising and is best restricted to protected coastal waters due to its light displacement and motion characteristics.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to the O'Day 23 and Catalina 22 from the same era, as they share similar fractional sloop rigs and target the trailer-sailing market, though the Holder 20 is notably lighter and more performance-oriented.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the HOLDER 20 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 20.33ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
18 reported issues across 8 systems for the HOLDER 20, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a HOLDER 20? 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 18 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
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Used sails that fit the HOLDER 20
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