Jack Holt (dinghy designer)

Jack Holt, OBE (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.

ailing 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 Club [ [http://www.wlsc.org.uk/story.htm Wraysbury Lake SC has large fleets of Enterprise and Solo dinghies] ]

He was closely associated with the London Corinthian Sailing Club [ [http://www.lcsc.org.uk/history/print.php?page=History&PHPSESSID=c3372ad3bc884798b0ac86871fc4a34c&PHPSESSID=c3372ad3bc884798b0ac86871fc4a34c London Corininthian SC Club History] ] , very close to his Putney premises

Jack Holt Designs

*Cadet [Commissioned by Yachting World]
*Diamond Keelboat [Commissioned by Yachting World]
*Enterprise [Originally the News Chronicle Enterprise. the first dinghty sponsored by a national paper]
*GP 14
*Heron
*Hornet
*International 10sq m Canoe [ [http://www.intcanoe.org.uk/evolution1.html Quest was designed and built by JH] ]
*International 14 [the International 14 is a development class. [http://www.international14.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=29 JH is among many designers] ]
*Jacksnipe
*Lazy E [ [http://www.sailbosun.freeserve.co.uk/Bosun%20History.html The 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 Rocket [Jack collaborated with Beecher Moore in the design of the first Merlin Rocket [http://www.holt-group.co.uk/about/default.asp Holt - About us] ]
*Miracle
*Mirror [Designed by JH and Barry Bucknell]
*Mirror 16 [Designed by JH as a larger version of the Mirror dinghy]
*National 12 [A development class, Holt had some very successful river designs]
*National E [ [http://hsc.asn.au/classes.htm The National E is 5m and uses a mainsail, jib, spinnaker and trapeze] ]
*North Norfolk 16 [ [http://www.uffafox.com/uffanews.htm Some later boats designed by JH] ]
*Pacer, formerly Puffin Pacer [ [http://www.pacersailing.org.au/pacer_history_text.php History 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:

*Albacore [ [http://www.albacore.org/IAAMinutes1997.asp Minutes of the Meeting of the International Albacore Association held on July 28, July 29, and July 31, 1997] - Status of Boat Builders - Worldwide]

ailing fittings

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

ailmaker

Notes

External links

* [http://www.boats.com/boat-articles/Profile-140/Doyen+of+the+Dinghies/15499.html Doyen of the Dinghies Jack Holt: 1912 - 1995 by Barry Pickthall]