Back to Search
Explorer 15 Holt
Designer: Jack Holt  ·  First built: 1961
+ Add to Compare
About the Explorer 15 Holt

With limited documentation available, the Explorer 15 Holt represents one of those intriguing sailboats that exists in the margins of sailing history. This small cruiser appears to have been designed for coastal exploration and light cruising, likely targeting sailors seeking an affordable entry into the world of trailerable sailboats. Based on its naming convention and apparent size class, the Explorer 15 Holt would have been well-suited for protected waters, small lakes, and near-shore coastal sailing. These types of compact sailboats typically appeal to weekend sailors, sailing schools, or those looking for an uncomplicated vessel that can be easily transported and launched. The scarcity of available specifications suggests this was either a limited production boat or one that didn't achieve widespread commercial success. This isn't uncommon in the sailboat industry, where many smaller manufacturers produced boats for regional markets or specific niches before disappearing from the broader sailing consciousness. For potential buyers researching this model, the limited documentation means extra diligence would be required when evaluating any example that surfaces on the used boat market, particularly regarding construction quality and the availability of replacement parts or rigging components.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 14.75 ft / 4.50 m
Beam 5.67 ft / 1.73 m
Max Draft 3.75 ft / 1.14 m
Min Draft 0.50 ft / 0.15 m
Displacement 290.00 lb / 132 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 110.00 ft² / 10.22 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Gunter
Construction FG
Designer Jack Holt
First Built 1961
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
40.21
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
3.43
How It Compares

vs. Cape Dory 14, Mutineer 15, Skipjack 15

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Explorer 15 Holt ★
14.8 ft
Cape Dory 14
14.5 ft
Mutineer 15
15.0 ft
Skipjack 15
14.6 ft
LWL
Explorer 15 Holt ★
Cape Dory 14
14.0 ft
Mutineer 15
14.1 ft
Skipjack 15
Beam
Explorer 15 Holt ★
5.7 ft
Cape Dory 14
4.3 ft
Mutineer 15
6.0 ft
Skipjack 15
5.3 ft
Displacement
Explorer 15 Holt ★
290 lbs
Cape Dory 14
200 lbs
Mutineer 15
410 lbs
Skipjack 15
340 lbs
Sail Area
Explorer 15 Holt ★
110 sq ft
Cape Dory 14
85 sq ft
Mutineer 15
150 sq ft
Skipjack 15
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Explorer 15 Holt ★
40.2
Cape Dory 14
39.8
Mutineer 15
43.5
Skipjack 15
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Explorer 15 Holt ★
Cape Dory 14
3.2
Mutineer 15
4.1
Skipjack 15
4.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Explorer 15 Holt ★
3.43
Cape Dory 14
2.91
Mutineer 15
3.23
Skipjack 15
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Explorer 15 Holt ★
Cape Dory 14
32
Mutineer 15
Skipjack 15
79
Hull Speed
Explorer 15 Holt ★
Cape Dory 14
5.0 kts
Mutineer 15
5.0 kts
Skipjack 15
4.7 kts
Find a Explorer 15 Holt For Sale