The Explorer 15 Holt is aggressively canvassed for its weight.
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
40.2
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Capsize Screening
3.43
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Capsize Screening Formula
3.43
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Explorer 15 Holt — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Explorer 15 Holt.
| Explorer 15 Holt | Albacore | Cape Dory 14 | Mirror 14 Milne | Mutineer 15 | Skipjack 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 14.8 | 15.0 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 15.0 | 14.6 |
| LWL | — | 14.8 | 14.0 | 13.1 | 14.1 | — |
| Beam | 5.7 | 5.1 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Displacement | 290 | 240 | 200 | 180 | 410 | 340 |
| Ballast | — | — | 50 | — | — | — |
| Sail Area | 110 | 125 | 85 | 131 | 150 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| SA/Disp | 40.2 | 51.8 | 39.8 | 65.8 | 43.5 | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | — | 25.0 | — | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 2.9 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 4.1 | 4.4 |
| Capsize | 3.43 | 3.27 | 2.91 | 3.90 | 3.23 | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.2 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.7 |