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Holman 26
Designer: C. R. Holman  ·  Builder: Alan Feltham (Uk)  ·  First built: 1960
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About the Holman 26

Designed by C. R. Holman and first launched in 1960, this classic 26-footer represents traditional British yacht design at its finest. Built by Alan Feltham in the UK using traditional carvel wood construction, the Holman 26 embodies the craftsmanship and seaworthiness that characterized post-war yacht building. The boat's long keel configuration and substantial displacement of 6,339 pounds create exceptional stability and tracking ability, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and longer passages. With nearly half its weight in ballast (3,136 pounds), the design prioritizes safety and comfort over speed. The masthead sloop rig with 300 square feet of sail area provides manageable sail handling while delivering respectable performance in varied conditions. At just over 26 feet overall with a 20-foot waterline, this yacht maximizes interior volume while maintaining excellent seakeeping characteristics. The moderate beam of 7.5 feet and 4.17-foot draft strike a good balance between stability and harbor accessibility. The comfort ratio of 30.61 indicates a motion that favors cruising over racing, while the low capsize screening value of 1.62 demonstrates the inherent safety of this traditional design. This Holman 26 appeals to sailors seeking classic aesthetics combined with proven offshore capability.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.17 ft / 7.98 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Beam 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Max Draft 4.17 ft / 1.27 m
Displacement 6,339.00 lb / 2,875 kg
Ballast 3,136.00 lb / 1,422 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 300.00 ft² / 27.87 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Wood (Carvel)
Designer C. R. Holman
Builder Alan Feltham (UK)
First Built 1960
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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
 14.06
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
 49.47
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
 353.74
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 30.61
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
 1.62
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.99 kn
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. 535.97 pounds/inch
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