The Nordic Folkboat - A Potted History
28
The prototype was built by Arendals of
Goteborg, Sweden and it was completed
by Christmas 1941, but ice and snow
prevented the boat being launched for
the first time. Even so, 61 boats were
commissioned to be built. The first boat
was eventually sailed on April 22nd
1942, 77 years ago.
Initially, feedback about the new boat’s
sailing characteristics were mixed.
Some thought the design was most
unusual for the time with it’s reverse
sheer transom, high freeboard for the
time, clinker build, long keel and small
sail area. The naysayers were reminded
that the design objectives had been met
in full and it would take a sail in windy
conditions to convince them and to earn
the new boat’s acceptance in sailing
circles.
Since then we know that the Nordic
Folkboat has received the highest
accolades from sailors and designers
alike. For example, Tom Wylie, the
renowned Californian yacht designer
remarked, "From the perspective of a
designer, the Folkboat is an honest boat
... whoever came up with the design
did an excellent job in three ways: they
kept the cost low by designing for clinker
rather than carvel planking. For a boat to
have success in the market, it has to be
well-built and cost effective ... You have
a Folkboat because you like the way
it deals with the elements and for the
classic feel".
A Folkboat’s theoretical maximum speed
unaided by wave action is 5.96 knots.
The formula is 1.34 x the square root
of the waterline length in feet which is
1.34 x the square root of 19.85 (4.45).
The sail area to displacement ratio is
3.92 whereas an average modern racing
yacht is 4.20 or higher.
In 10 knots of wind, a Folkboat will tack
through 80 degrees and do about 5.5
knots on a broad reach and 4.8 knots
downwind. Dead downwind in a blow,
a Folkboat will roll dramatically as it is
unable to convert wind pressure into
boat speed, whereas a modern design
would surf.
The six times Gold Cup winner, Eric
Andreasen reported that in the very
windy 1977 Round the Island of Fyn
race, he averaged 9 knots over the
ground and on the downwind leg he had
clocked a GPS - timed maximum speed
of 10.7 knots and only one Folkboat lost
her mast from 46 other yachts of different
classes who had lost their masts.
Speed is not what Folkboats are about,
it is their ability to cope easily with a
strong breeze and a choppy sea and
their ‘classic’ feel which appeals making
them ideal for the inshore waters of the
UK, USA, Scandinavia and Europe. The
distinctive flair to the hull shape and
raked transom keeps the boat dry and
the heavy keel and end stability gives
the Folkboat that certain ‘Folkboat Feel’.
The heavily reverse raked transom helps
to reduce the wetted area even with her
long keel. Upwind, the boat is beautifully
balanced with just enough weather helm
when the boat is properly set up.
Look after, enjoy and cherish your
Folkboat - she’s special!
David Gredley
Technical Chairman
Photographs (opposite) courtesy of
Harald Koglin: Secretary of the
Nordic Folkboat International Foundation
