Folkdancer

Talbot

Talbot

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My son has gone away from the thoughts of a gas guzzling go faster machine to perhaps having a small yacht.

I would much appreciate the Forums advice on what to look out for on a 1964 Folkdancer and what would be a reasonable price for one?
 
There is a Folkboat Owner's Association that mght be able to help you. You might find a website in Google.The secretary is/was Peter Ament and I think he lived in Yarmouth, IOW
 
Re: Folkdancer ..... one of these ?

Funny isn't it ..... you say small yacht !! 27ft .... wasn't so small when it was built.

Pictures / data as per 1968 ......

folkdancer27.jpg


folkdancer27data.jpg


Nice boats .... sorry can't give much help on what to look for though and price .... (IMHO pity about the stern overhangs ... deducts quite a bit from her useable length ....)
 
Fred Parker's late 60's Folkboat derivative with that shallow step in the deck aft which always worried me strength-wise, probably without cause. The starting point with this and any class of which there weren't many built is that it won't have high resale value so don't expect it - and don't pay it.

I won't resurrect the Long Keel Thread but do make sure your lad knows what to expect in behaviour and performance.

Personally I would pay more for better accommodation, particularly standing headroom. The marketplace is extensive for this type of sloop - again, recently Threaded - but you should do some serious homework evaluating the options, including how much to afford.

We went down this path of long-keel sloops and ended up with a Halcyon 27, no regrets, just moved on to larger.

Do PM me know if I can help further.

CJH
 
A lot of the later hulls were fitted out "at home" with all the positives and negatives that this entails. I suspect that a boat this early will have been yard finished but this may not be the case. I don't think the Folkboat Associaton will be very interested, they get very sniffy about derivative Folkboat designs. As for price I would say that a poor example might be obtained for around £2000 / £1500 (tatty interior and sails, iffy engine and perhps hull). I do not think I would be tempted to spend more than £7000 even for an absolute belter - and I am fan of this type of boat. The accommodation is more akin to a Hurley 22 than a modern 27 foot boat.
 
I concur with other posters. Nice wee boats. Doug748's description being very fair! Just for info, I sailed on a home completed vessel, with poor sails, many years ago, for a weekend, in company with friends who were sailing their 24 foot Trident. Our Folkdancer, I remember, outsailed their Trident, but was in very poor shape overall!
Best wishes.
 
Re: Folkdancer vs Trident ....

To be expected really as they are intended for two different roles ..... Trident as a pocket cruiser and the FD as a 60's racer.

One of the biggest things to consider apart from age and condition is the typical 60's narrow hull and limited living space in such a boat ... if its sail ability and willing to clean up / spruce up the wardrobe etc. - then great ... if you want to cruise about, unless its a couple of good pals - you may find it cramped.
My Race boat in Tallin was similar decision ... as I never intended cruising it - the cramped conditions were accepted and even though a mid 70's boat ... she showed many modern jobs the way to go .... winning the 2003 Baltic Regatta handsomely ......

So really isn't it down to what the lad intends to do ? Looks and price are second. Trouble is as we all know .... a boat has a hook that snakes out and grabs yer heart ... despite all the advise / experience / knowledge that can be given you by others .... you just know you have to have it .....

How many boat owners sit and justify their boats - even though they know in their hearts it's not quite .......... I know I do !!!!!
 
From the details posted by Nigel she looks and measures like a short Liz 29 with a touch more freeboard and thus headroom. I sailed my boat with the lads and 4-up was crowded below, but acceptable. Today as a cruising couple my wife and I find her ideal. That increased freeboard may make the Folkdancer less wet, and the more modest overhangs and lighter ballast keel make her less inclined to heel, but compared to a modern boat she'll still be wet and fun above an F4, and stationary below an F2. The Liz 29 was probably made in greater numbers and mine (1963) in rather good nick is valued around the £11k-£12k mark. That's an antiques roadshow "insurance" value, and I'd expect to pay between £6k and £10k depending on condition and availability. A less well known marque might be less, but I doubt the Folkdancer falls into that category. You'll need to look out for all the usual suspects, osmosis, knackered sails and engine will probably be the biggest factors affecting cost.
 
Yard finished interiors by Russell Marine were pretty ordinary but the hull is good and she is regarded as a safe, if under canvassed, offshore cruiser. There is nothing specific to the design but the usual cautions for a boat this age apply - osmosis. deformation undet teh mast step, bulkhead attachment, rudder bearings, chain plates, etc.

In 2002 I put a value of £5,000 to £10,000 on this yacht. This, in retrospect, was excessive. I would now regard £5,000 as being a reasonable median price but be prepared to go to £7,000 for a good one or as low as £2,000 for a tatty one. Yachts of this age in poor condition are very difficult to sell.
 
I do the Folkdancer 27 site and there is a newer version with scrumptious photographs, but look out because when you see the sweet hull form of these beautifully restored boats you will forget about hopes of buying one below ten grand <grin>,
http://folkdancer27.blogspot.com
 
yes! but cant afford one!

He has settled on a mobo for fun for a couple of years before changing over to raggie 21 ft chris craft with a 5.3 ltr V8
 
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