Jack Holt (1912-1995) was a prolific designer of sailing dinghies. His pioneering designs of dingies using plywood did much to popularise the sport of sailing in the period immediately following World War II.

Born in Hammersmith, London near the River Thames Holt designed more than 40 boats, many of which are listed below.

Jack Holt was awarded an OBE in 1979 for his services to sailing.

Sailing Clubs

Jack Holt has been associated with several sailing clubs. His premises were next door to Ranelagh Sailing Club, and he designed the Merlin Rocket and his National 12 designs there.

In 1956 he was a co-founder of Wraysbury Lake Sailing ClubWraysbury Lake SC has the largest fleets of Enterprise and Solo in the world

He was closely associated with the London Corinthian Sailing ClubLondon Corininthian SC Club History, very close to his Putney premises

Jack Holt Designs

• CadetCommissioned by Yachting World
• EnterpriseOriginally the News Chronicle Enterprise. the first dinghty sponsored by a national paper
• GP 14
• Heron
• Hornet
• International 10sq m CanoeQuest was designed and built by JH
• International 14the International 14 is a development class. JH is among many designers
• Lazy EThe Lazy E was one of several dinghies trialled by the Admiralty for sailing by the Royal Navy. The Ian Proctor designed Bosun was selected
• Merlin RocketJack collaborated with Beecher Moore in the design of the first Merlin Rocket Holt - About us
• Miracle
• MirrorDesigned by JH and Barry Bucknell
• National 12A development class, Holt had some very successful river designs
• National EThe National E is 5m and uses a mainsail, jib, spinnaker and trapeze
• North Norfolk 16Some later boats designed by JH
• Puffin PacerHistory of the Pacer Class
• Solo
• Streaker
• Vagabond

Boatbuilding

In addition to designing boats, Jack was also a boatbuilder. His fittings business was in the loft above the boatbuilding workshop. Naturally he built all the boats he designed, but he also built boats designed by others, including:

• AlbacoreMinutes of the Meeting of the International Albacore Association held on July 28, July 29, and July 31, 1997 - Status of Boat Builders - Worldwide

Sailing fittings

Jack collaborated with Glen and Tony Allen from Essex to manufacture and supply a lightweight range of dinghy fittings

Sailmaker

Notes

External links

• Doyen of the Dinghies Jack Holt: 1912 - 1995 by Barry Pickthall

Yacht designers | 1912 births | 1995 deaths | Officers of the Order of the British Empire