The Streaker Class celebrates its 50th Anniversary
by Neil Firth 20 Feb 11:25 UTC
Streaker photo from the Jack Holt launch brochure in 1975 © Jack Holt
2025 marks 50 years since Jack Holt created the Streaker dinghy and it is turning out to be one of his most enduring and popular designs. The Class is celebrating this significant milestone - and their recent strong growth - with some special 50th anniversary events.
It is often said that Jack designed the Streaker, at the age of 63, when he started to find his Solo a little on the heavy side. That may be true, and it is certainly a useful storyline in the current single-hander market, but a glance at the original 1975 brochure shows that this wasn't necessarily Jack's only target market. "With the younger ex-Cadet or Mirror helmsman or helmswoman being especially considered, it is a direct inexpensive step before joining the 470 or 505 fleets" the brochure declares!
Indeed, the Streaker is a boat that is very well suited to lighter-weight sailors of all ages. At last year's National Championship, the competitors were aged from 14 to 77 and the top ten included two sailors under 25 and three over 60.
Jack Holt was renowned for his affordable designs, featuring simple plywood construction suitable for the amateur builder. The original brochure offered "a kit of wood parts, with all fittings, spars and sails, alternatively a finished hull ready for painting and varnishing." The kit was a popular choice, selling for just £246 +VAT which, according to the Bank of England, equates to less than £1900 +VAT in today's money!
Wood and composite Streakers, including self-build kits, are still available today, as are the original plans for those wanting to build from scratch.
To honour Jack's role in the boat's success, the Class will be holding a Tideway Race, kindly hosted by Ranelagh Sailing Club, on the River Thames. Jack designed the Streaker at his premises on Putney Embankment, a few doors down from Ranelagh SC. He was a member of this historic club for many years, so it will be a fitting tribute to see Streakers new and old returning to their birthplace for this unique and iconic event.
The race will take place on Saturday 17 May 2025 and is being generously sponsored by Holt Marine Ltd, the successor of Jack Holt Limited. Spectators are welcome!
The elegant, well proportioned lines of the Streaker are as appealing as ever, but what Jack may not have realised is just how well the boat would adapt to modern FRP construction. No doubt, the reason the class continues to thrive is because of these modern low-maintenance Streakers, fitted out to the highest standard, with all the controls within easy reach of the hiking sailor. They hold their value too, with 10-20 year-old FRP Streakers being amongst the most sought-after on the used market; they are known to be down to weight and competitive.
The 2024 Nationals at Stone SC saw an entry of 65 boats which was an all-time record for the class. The entry included wood, composite and FRP Streakers; more than 20 boats were at least ten years old, the oldest being a 36 year-old wooden boat which still required weight correctors and performed very well.
Building on the class's success, this year's Noble Marine Streaker Golden Jubilee National Championship will be at Rutland Sailing Club and is expected to be the biggest yet. The planned programme of events will appeal to Streaker sailors from across the spectrum of owners, including non-racing Streaker enthusiasts who might prefer to cruise around Rutland Water. There will also be a full social programme including a live band and a Golden Jubilee Dinner. The Championship racing takes place from 11-13 July, with some fun and training on the previous day.
If you are going to the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show (Farnborough International, 22-23 February), you should call in at the Streaker stand which will feature Streaker number 125 alongside two modern boats. Streaker 125 is a very early example, supplied as a Jack Holt kit in 1976. The boat retains the original Jack Holt specification, so visitors to the show will have a chance to see first hand just how much, and yet how little, the Streaker has changed in 50 years!
Members of the Streaker Class Owners Association will be hearing more about the upcoming 50th anniversary events. If you own a Streaker but are not a current member, there's a good reason to join the association for this special year... all full members will be entered in the Super Spars Streaker Golden Jubilee Prize Draw with a chance to win a brand new tapered mast or a carbon boom.
There's never been a better time to be a Streaker sailor! Jack Holt clearly got it right 50 years ago when he launched his "sparkling, exhilarating and speedy" new Streaker - a tagline that would not be out of place today. To learn more, check out the class website at www.streaker-class.org.uk