Career
His pioneering designs of dinghies using plywood did much to popularise the sport of sailing in the period immediately following World World War World War II Born in Hammersmith, London near the River Thames Holt designed more than 40 boats, many of which are listed below. He worked for many years with fellow sailing enthusiast and businessman Beecher Moore. Jack Holt was awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1979 for his services to sailing.
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. He was closely associated with the London Corinthian Sailing Club, very close to his Putney premises
Cadet
Diamond Keelboat
Enterprise
Explorer (dinghy)
GP14
Heron
Hornet
International 10sq m Canoe
International 14
Jacksnipe
Lazy East
Merlin Rocket
Miracle
Mirror
Mirror 16
National 12
National East
North Norfolk 16
Pacer, formerly Puffin Pacer
Rambler
Solo
Streaker
Vagabond
A selection of Jack Holt plans are held in the archives of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
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 the Albacore
Jack collaborated with Glen and Tony Allen from Essex to manufacture and supply a lightweight range of dinghy fittings, the fittings were known as Holt Allen fittings for 52 years until 2008 when the Allen side decided to distribute the fittings themselves under the brand Allen.
Sails for early Puffins, those with a puffin silhouette on the main, were deep blue in colour and were made by Jack Holt Sails of Putney, England.
