Page 30 - Folk Boat Year Book 2022

Model Folkboats (Advertorial)

Now for something a little different, Folkboating in miniature.
Charles Chambers presents his “Mini-Folkboats”.

As a result of a remark made by a keen
“Folkboater” during “Lockdown” a project was
born. The remark centered around the lack of a
model Folkboat. As well as being both a Folkboater
since childhood and a model maker for almost as
long, the search began.

The resulting search sourced a model made in
Sweden and for sale in Denmark which I was able to
obtain through my various contacts. Permission was
obtained from the original builder to reproduce the
model as he had now retired.

The model duly arrived, she was nice, she sailed
well but she was not up to the standard a
discerning Folkboater would accept. I started
working with a fellow model maker to improve the
quality of the hull before commissioning a mould, additionally I worked with a local
model sail and rig supplier. After several months of development work the first model
was delivered, she was completed in a gelcoat colour to match the original and
carries the correct sail number. Since then 8 boats have been completed (5 of which
are in the Solent area) and the others have gone to Scotland, Lancashire and
Nottinghamshire.

The model is a 1/8th scale Radio Controlled working
model of the Nordic Folkboat measuring just under a
meter in length, 30 cm beam, standing 160 cm when
rigged and weighs a little over 4.5Kg, hand built in
GRP faithfully reproducing the clinker form. Supplied
in the owner's choice of hull colour, Dacron sails,
aluminium mast, stainless steel rigging and sail
number. She comes complete with electronic sail
winch, rudder servo, radio etc. ready to sail.
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