HOLIDAY 23 Sail Configuration Guide

Overview

Designed by Angelo Lavranos and built by John Robertson, the HOLIDAY 23 is a versatile pocket cruiser engineered for a balance of coastal cruising comfort and competitive club racing. Its design philosophy emphasizes stability and efficiency in a trailerable-sized platform.

Rig Specifications & Performance Analysis

• Mainsail Configuration: A P/E ratio of 2.74 indicates a high-aspect rig, optimized for aerodynamic efficiency and superior upwind lift.
• Foretriangle Design: The I/J ratio of 2.94 provides a generous foretriangle, ideally suited for powerful overlapping genoas in light air or high-load working jibs.
• Sail Area: With a 23m² total upwind area, the boat maintains a respectable power-to-weight ratio for its 6.92m length.
• Performance: The configuration favors a performance-oriented cruising profile that remains weatherly even in choppy coastal conditions.

Popular Sail Configurations

• Mainsail: Typically features a slab-reefing configuration with full top battens to maintain the 2.74 aspect ratio's leech profile.
• Headsail: inventory often ranges from 150% overlapping genoas for light-wind performance to 100% working jibs for heavy-weather stability.

Key Characteristics

• High-aspect P/E ratio ensures excellent pointing ability and reduced drag.
• Versatile I/J ratio allows for a wide range of headsail sizes to suit local windage.
• The 1.61m draft and 2.53m beam provide a stiff, stable platform for the 23m² sail plan.
• Responsive helm and predictable handling characteristic of Lavranos designs.

Sailing Considerations

• Recommended for small crews or single-handed sailing due to its manageable sail area.
• The boat is stiff and handles wind speed increases well, though it remains responsive to trim changes.
• Performance expectations include quick acceleration in light airs and a dry ride in moderate breeze.

Sailmaking Recommendations

For the HOLIDAY 23, we recommend SurgeX membrane sails as the optimal choice for most sailors. SurgeX uses continuous fiber construction where fibers are laid along load paths and embedded in a thin membrane, providing superior shape retention compared to traditional Dacron while being more affordable than premium laminates. The continuous fiber structure means less stretch over time, maintaining the designed sail shape for years.

For racing applications, specify a lightweight SurgeX configuration with minimal base weight to maximize performance. For cruising or coastal sailing, add a taffeta protective layer on both sides to enhance UV resistance and abrasion protection. Based on the 2.74 P/E ratio, a tri-radial fiber layout works best to handle the vertical loads of the high-aspect main. A typical inventory includes a SurgeX Mainsail, a 135% Genoa, and a dedicated heavy-weather Jib. With 23m² of sail area, plan to reef the mainsail around 16-18 knots to maintain optimal heel angles.

Conclusion

The HOLIDAY 23 features a sophisticated rig design that rewards high-quality sail shapes and modern materials. Explore sail options for HOLIDAY 23 to maximize its Lavranos-designed potential.