Ron Holder

Ron Holder (born circa 1940s, exact dates unavailable) is an American naval architect, boat designer, and businessman best known for his innovative trailerable sailboats in the 1970s and 1980s, emphasizing lightweight, pocket-sized cruisers that blended racing performance with family-friendly portability. A self-taught designer with a keen eye for hydrodynamics, Holder's work targeted the burgeoning market for affordable, towable boats amid the fiberglass revolution, often collaborating with sailmakers like Dave Ulmann and builders such as Vagabond Boats and Hobie Cat. His designs prioritized simplicity, stability, and speed on protected waters, influencing small-boat classes that remain active today. While not a household name like Nathanael Herreshoff, Holder's practical ethos earned him a niche legacy in recreational sailing, with owners praising his boats for "big fun in small packages." Recent Reddit inquiries (e.g., 2016) suggest he may have retired quietly, with limited public updates post-1990s, though his vessels continue to spark enthusiasm in vintage sailing communities.