A lightweight fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio, originally launched as the Vagabond 17
Designed by Ron Holder.
LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Swing Keel
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
TrailerableBeam 2.21 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 431 kg of hull, so roughly 1,050 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 431 kg of hull, with a keel that raises or a draft shallow enough to float off a trailer — she can go back on the trailer at the ramp, not only into the water.Shoal draftDraws 0.51 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly
Her light displacement on a beamy beam gives 7 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.
Comfort ratio 7
CoastalBluewater
At 2.95 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 2.95
LightHeavy
126 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 126
EasygoingPowered-up
23.2 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 23.2
TenderStiff
36% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.
Ballast 36%
Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.
The record
Full specifications
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
36.3%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
23.2
Displacement / length
125.7
Comfort ratio
6.7
Capsize screening
2.95
Hull speed
5.2 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
389
Hull
Hull type
Swing Keel
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1982
Designer
Ron Holder
Builder
Holder Marine, Hobie Cat
Boats like this, on the water
Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.
Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.
Microtonner 195.50 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA high-performance fractional sloop designed by Nestor Volker to the International Micro Class rule for competitive racing
Hunter Marine 185.61 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA lightweight, high-performance fractional sloop with a swing keel designed for quick, responsive daysailing
Dufour Yachts T66.15 mSame hull family1.0 m longerA lightweight 800kg fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance in light air
RS Quest4.29 mSame hull family0.9 m shorterA 140kg fractional sloop with a centerboard trunk designed for stable, versatile training and family sailing
Drascombe Dabber4.72 mSame hull family0.5 m shorterA John Watkinson-designed sprit-rigged daysailer with a centerboard, built since 1970 for shallow-water versatility
