Design and Construction
Ron Holland laid down the Holland 25 as a compact performance coastal boat with a solid fiberglass hull and lead-ballasted fin keel. The 10-foot beam against the 25-foot length gives a length-to-beam ratio of 2.50, while the 47 percent ballast ratio — 3,500 pounds of lead — speaks to a stiff platform. The wetted surface runs about 226 square feet, and immersion is roughly 706 pounds per inch load waterline growth.
Rig and Handling
The boat is rigged as a fractional sloop with 357 square feet of sail for a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 24.76. Jib and genoa sheets run 25 feet at 3/8-inch, mainsheet 62.5 feet, spinnaker 55 feet, all 10 mm. The capsize screening value is 2.63, barring sanctioned ocean racing, and Motion Comfort Ratio is 11.5. The fin keel draws 4.99 to 5.29 feet by load, reaching most marinas.
Accommodations
The living space is judged from the 25-foot hull and 10-foot beam: a light-displacement racer-cruiser with spade rudder and fin keel, sized for short-handed coastal sailing.
Known Issues
Known facts are performance limits, not faults: capsize screening of 2.63 excludes ocean racing, low comfort ratio signals firm ride. Read as design character.
Refits and Ownership
Under 200 built from 1978 start, a low-volume class. Period-correct sheets matter when re-rigging. Solid fiberglass hull avoids cored-hull repair questions.
The Verdict
A Ron Holland late-1970s small fast racer: narrow, lead-ballasted, quick, not a bluewater passagemaker.
Pros
- Fractional sloop, SA/D 24.76, 357 sq ft sail
- 47% ballast, 3,500 lb lead keel
- Solid fiberglass hull
- Draft under 5.3 ft, marina-friendly
Cons
- Capsize screen 2.63 bars ocean racing
- Comfort ratio 11.5, hard ride
- Under 200 built, limited support
