REVIEW: Vagabond/Holder 17

Spacious, seaworthy, and swift, the Vagabond 17 is proof that sometimes even the best boats go out of production.

It was our remarkably positive experience with the Sparrow 16 (Issue #52) that inspired us to look around for other Ron Holder designs. Naval Architect Holder had managed to squeeze four functional berths, a dedicated spot for a portable head, sitting headroom—even a galley sink—into a nimble 16-footer without sacrificing performance or seaworthiness. Had he designed other “big” small boats?

Eventually we tracked down a Vagabond 17, an earlier Holder design that appeared to offer many of the same virtues. Conventionally modern in appearance, but not sterile, the Vagabond has a nearly straight sheer and angular windows, but otherwise pleasing proportions. Her beamy hull allows for a generous cockpit and the four-berth arrangement below decks, with a V-berth and two quarters. There’s a dedicated space for a head beneath the V-berth, and a hand-pump sink with faucet.