Masterpieces by Ron Holland: 3 Classic Boats by the Auckland master

If by the time he was just 13 years old he was already board racing, by the age of 19 young Ron Holland was already designing boats-his first commission, if nothing else, the 26-footer “White Rabbit.” Trained as both a builder and a designer, Holland would leave his mark on the sailing world, moving from New Zealand and American youth projects (including “Eygthene”, with which he won the Quarter Ton in America and England in ’73), to the great successes of his Irish period, where the glimmers of youth turned into a career that was more than established, starting with the “Golden Shamrock”.

Ron Holland: here are 3 Classic Boats from the Auckland master

Thus remain immortal boats such as “Charley,” the 67-footer that won the Line of Honors at the 1983 Transpacifica, the cruising maxi “Condor,” and the Maxi “NCB Ireland,” designed for the Whitbread Round the World Race (now the Ocean Race). But Ron Holland does not equate only emblazoned regattas and one-off boats, having also signed several excellent series designs, including the three memorable
Classic Boa
t which we will discuss just below.

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RUSH 31 | 1979

Jeanneau | 9.13 x 3.15 mGreat success of the French Jeanneau, which will produce as many as 580 examples within 6 years, the Rush 31 is a brilliant cruiser/racer from Holland. Produced beginning in ’79, it was produced in two distinct variants to better marry the needs of owners, who could thus have either a more racer-like setting, the Royale, closer to Holland’s racing hulls from which it was derived, or a quieter one, the GTE. Undoubtedly, a big hit, a successful project, which moreover became famous by being the boat of the famous Tour de France à Voile.

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• Discover the Rush 31 in our Classic Boat archive (
  HERE
  )

Ron Holland Classic Boats. POLARIS 33 | 1977

Polaris Yachts / Altura | 10.07 x 3.35 mIn 1977 Polaris looked at Holland’s one-offs and decided to put one, adapted for fast cruising, into series production. The Polaris 33 was born, a design followed by Holland himself, as the characteristic lines of the transom nicely emphasize: Volkswagen Beetle curves. The result is a Three Quarter Tonner not to be underestimated, particularly fast even, by period standards.

• Discover the Polaris 33 in our Classic Boat archive (
  HERE
  )

POLARIS 37 | 1980

Polaris Yachts | 11.22 x 3.63 mIt is 1980 and Polaris is looking for Encore, building on the success of the previous 33-footer. The signature, inevitably, again that of the now New Zealand archistar. This time, however, the size grows, and Holland designs a One tonner that recaptures the features of the previous 3/4er, but takes performance further without sacrificing comfort. The Polaris 37 is born, a boat that will prove to be even better in performance and harmonious in design.

Discover the Polaris 37 in our Classic Boat archive (
HERE
)

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Three “tidbits” about Classic Boats

• Want to learn more about the world of Classic Boats (1967-1998), the iconic boats of the period, the legendary designers, the stories and races of the “golden age” of sailing? Check out our section dedicated to Classic Boats!
• Do you have a Classic Boat to sell? Put it (for free) on our classifieds market!
• Do you have a Classic Boat? Participate in the SAIL CUP with your boat. There is a special ranking for you! Find out which stage is right for you!