Holman 26 Sailboats for Sale

Hull Type

Monohull · long

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

26.17' · 7.98 m

Disp.

6,339 lbs · 2,875 kg

First year

1960

The Holman 26, designed in 1960 by the legendary British naval architect C. R. "Kim" Holman, represents a highwater mark in the golden age of traditional wooden yacht design. Originally conceived as the Nymphet class—following the launch of the prototype Nymphet in 1961—the design quickly became known simply as the Holman 26. In classic yachting circles, it earned the affectionate nickname "Stellabut," born from clients who deeply admired Holman's wildly popular clinkerbuilt Stella design but requested a vessel that was "like a Stella, but with more headroom and carvel construction". The resulting twentysixfooter beautifully realized this brief, offering a faster, stiffer, and more commodious cruiserracer that could hold its own in both the demanding offshore passage races of the English East Coast and family coastal cruising. Today, it stands as a highly respected vintage design that continues to attract sailors dedicated to classic wood craftsmanship.