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Holder 17 Ds
Designer: Ron Holder  ·  Builder: Holder Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Holder 17 Ds

With limited documentation available, the Holder 17 Ds represents one of the more elusive entries in the small sailboat category. This compact vessel appears to be designed primarily for daysailing and light coastal cruising, offering an accessible entry point into sailing for newcomers or serving as a nimble boat for experienced sailors seeking simplicity. Based on its designation, this boat likely emphasizes straightforward handling characteristics and ease of operation. The "Ds" suffix suggests potential variations within the Holder 17 line, indicating the manufacturer may have offered different configurations to suit varying sailor preferences or regional market demands. Given the typical attributes of boats in this size range, the Holder 17 Ds would be well-suited for protected waters, small lakes, and calm coastal areas. Its modest dimensions would make it manageable for single-handed sailing while still accommodating a small crew for recreational outings. The limited availability of specifications suggests this model had a relatively small production run or served a niche market. For prospective buyers, this boat would appeal to those seeking an uncomplicated sailing experience without the complexity of larger vessels, making it ideal for weekend adventures and skill development.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
Beam 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Max Draft 4.17 ft / 1.27 m
Displacement 925.00 lb / 420 kg
Ballast 325.00 lb / 147 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ron Holder
Builder Holder Marine (USA)
First Built 1982
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
35.14
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
122.35
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2.25 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 1.17 ft / 0.36 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 147.00 ft² / 13.66 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 122.35
How It Compares

vs. Com-Pac Sun Cat, Hunter 170, Montgomery 17

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Holder 17 Ds ★
17.0 ft
Com-Pac Sun Cat
17.0 ft
Hunter 170
17.1 ft
Montgomery 17
17.1 ft
LWL
Holder 17 Ds ★
15.0 ft
Com-Pac Sun Cat
15.0 ft
Hunter 170
12.1 ft
Montgomery 17
15.8 ft
Beam
Holder 17 Ds ★
7.0 ft
Com-Pac Sun Cat
7.5 ft
Hunter 170
7.0 ft
Montgomery 17
7.3 ft
Displacement
Holder 17 Ds ★
925 lbs
Com-Pac Sun Cat
1 lbs
Hunter 170
478 lbs
Montgomery 17
1 lbs
Ballast
Holder 17 Ds ★
325 lbs
Com-Pac Sun Cat
650 lbs
Hunter 170
Montgomery 17
550 lbs
Sail Area
Holder 17 Ds ★
Com-Pac Sun Cat
162 sq ft
Hunter 170
150 sq ft
Montgomery 17
154 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Holder 17 Ds ★
Com-Pac Sun Cat
Hunter 170
258 s/nm
Montgomery 17
264 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Holder 17 Ds ★
Com-Pac Sun Cat
16.6
Hunter 170
39.3
Montgomery 17
19.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Holder 17 Ds ★
35.1 %
Com-Pac Sun Cat
33.3 %
Hunter 170
Montgomery 17
39.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Holder 17 Ds ★
Com-Pac Sun Cat
13.1
Hunter 170
4.1
Montgomery 17
9.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Holder 17 Ds ★
Com-Pac Sun Cat
2.40
Hunter 170
3.58
Montgomery 17
2.62
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Holder 17 Ds ★
122
Com-Pac Sun Cat
257
Hunter 170
121
Montgomery 17
157
Hull Speed
Holder 17 Ds ★
Com-Pac Sun Cat
5.2 kts
Hunter 170
4.7 kts
Montgomery 17
5.3 kts
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