How to follow a folkboat?

[Chuckle54]

We are the proud owners of a 1954 nordic clinker folkboat. In the 2 years in our ownership we have lavished time and hardwork bringing her up to her current standard and she is gorgeous. She was/is the perfect yacht to learn to sail on BUT as we are now both in our mid fifties/early sixties we really do hanker after a bit more space. Standing headroom or very near, heads - the simple things in life. A little less time spent on maintenance.
I've spent the past few months researching possible GRP replacements - contessas, elizabethans, pioneer 9, halcyon, seacracker etc etc and recently we have begun viewing several yachts offered for sale in the NE and the Borders. None we have looked at so far have floated our boat. Compared to a folkboat they are utilitarian and just lack soul and we're becoming distinctly disenchanted.

We're fortunate enough to have a very reasonably priced deep water swinging mooring which is easily accessed. Right now due to work and family committments we grab a few hours sailing when we can but hopefully in the future we'll have more time available for longer passages further north and east and are looking for a seaworthy yacht with a bit of character. Our budget is limited to around £7-8k which is why we have been looking at older designs. Any ideas would be gratefully received.

 

[johnalison]

I rather suspect that you may find it hard to perceive soul in a plastic boat. Some of the boats you mention are perfectly decent, but what determines a boat's soul, I wonder? My four cruising boats have all been plastic, and all have been good sailing boats, but each with its own quirks. Thus, I think that it is a boat's idiosyncrasies that give it character, whether an odd bit of internal design, or perhaps some oddity in its handling. My current boat achieved honorary human status very early on by virtue of its flawless handling under sail and comfortable interior. My advice therefore, is to find a boat that fits your needs and learn to live with it, warts and all.

 

[doug748]

I must agree with johnalison's sentiments.

Anything will feel a bit lumpen after the Nordic but you might look for a Javelin 30:

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boats.phtml?id=1895&mi=7820

A Varne 27:

http://www.boatersresources.com/bfs_detail.php?adid=425009

Or possibly a She 31:

http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/she-31/she-31.htm

The Marieholm 26 has the pedigree but falls well short of standing headroom and finding a UK boat, at your price point, would be a long shot.

 

[Poignard]

Twister :encouragement:

 

[Yellow Ballad]

Ok I'm at it again, an Albin Ballad, Nordic folkboat lines, grp so a lot less maintenance, standing headroom and soul. I love mine, talk to it, I know it will keep me safe. I nearly bought a folkboat but didn't due to maintenance, looked at GRP Marieholms and IF folkboats but the lack of space put me and the wife off. Saw a Ballad and fell in love with them the more I looked into them.

You may struggle to get one for your budget but they're out there if you look hard enough. If you fancied a sail across the North sea there's loads in Sweden/Norway/Denmark.

Ooooo how lovely (not my one)

 

[PeteCooper]

I spent many years sailing a Halcyon 27 - fine boats, and with enough wood trim to keep you busy. Very pretty boats that sail well. Downside is that many have the original engine which will be tired by now.

 

[Tranona]

Twister :encouragement:

Good choice for what OP wants - but for £7-8k? Have prices really crashed that much for decent examples?

 

[Concerto]

My suggestion would be a Pioneer 10. There are a number available within budget, but this one stands out as the one to go and look at as it was only first launched in 1999 after a high quality fit out by its current owner who bought the mouldings in 1973.
http://www.networkyachtbrokers.com/boats_for_sale/Van_de_Stadt_Pionier_10-298.html/

Just found there is a video of this boat. I would think a definite boat to check out for the OP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYI0foKAn1o

I have no personal connection to this boat, but remember racing against one about 40 years ago. The sailed easily and seemed to have a much more comfortable ride than many boats of that era.

 

[Tranona]

Samphire 26 in Harbour Yachts. Poole. Classy, modern engine and right on the money.

 

[pyrojames]

Good choice for what OP wants - but for £7-8k? Have prices really crashed that much for decent examples?

Peter Gregson has one here for £6500. I know nothing more about it!

http://www.woodenships.co.uk/sailing-yachts/kim-holman-twister/

 

[Motor_Sailor]

Peter Gregson has one here for £6500. I know nothing more about it!]

Not that helpful when the OP is looking for a fibreglass boat.

I don't think you'll find an all glass Twister in budget and the glass hull/wooden top versions for that money are not going to be much less maintenance.

 

[Biggles Wader]

My suggestion would be a Pioneer 10. There are a number available within budget, but this one stands out as the one to go and look at as it was only first launched in 1999 after a high quality fit out by its current owner who bought the mouldings in 1973.
http://www.networkyachtbrokers.com/boats_for_sale/Van_de_Stadt_Pionier_10-298.html/



Just found there is a video of this boat. I would think a definite boat to check out for the OP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYI0foKAn1o

I have no personal connection to this boat, but remember racing against one about 40 years ago. The sailed easily and seemed to have a much more comfortable ride than many boats of that era.

Worth a look.Fast boat,lovely lines and full headroom.Even has "character" in the form f an unusual engine
A bargain if at the right price

 

[Kelpie]

Lots of plastic Folkboat esque yachts out there. H27 as stated would fit the bill. Vega similar but a bit less pretty (I always told mine she was beautiful, of course). Nic 26 and Co26 at the tiny end, probably too similar is size to the FB to be worth the swap. Nic 32 would be just the ticket, well equipped examples are going for under £15k these days. And of course a Rival 36 if you really want a gorgeous modernised enlarged Folkboat, but at a price.

 

[Chuckle54]

Many thanks for all the input. I'm already aware of most of the individual yachts mentioned after spending hours studying the broker sites etc. Having had a bad experience in the past trying to arrange transportation of a boat from one end of the country to another we are concentrating on those for sale within easy travelling distance. Mind you that wooden Twister is a fine boat. The second one to be built I believe. There's a CO 26 moored next to us and we're not too impressed. Compared to our folkboat she does with all that freeboard, resemble a plastic bath tub sitting on the water. I suspect all the other GRP folkboat derivatives would be similar..
Of those we've looked at so far a Pioneer 9 is of interest. Good lines with a modern Beta engine and ticks a lot of boxes. Had the guy bothered to tidy her up before we viewed then I might have persuaded my partner to take the plunge. As it was she was just dismayed by the squalor. Curious how many people make no attempt to clean a boat up before offering it up for sale. That Twister is a damn good looking boat...... and we quite enjoy painting and varnishing.

 

[Fascadale]

+ 1 for the Pioneer 10, wonderful boat.

Some here may remember the late "Krusty", aka "Piotaskipper" a legendary yachtmaster instructor in the north and west of Scotland, as well as skipper and owner of the wonderful Pioneer 10 "Piota"

Fortunately there is a digital record of some of "Piota's" exploits here http://www.ybw.com/forums/member.php?6457-Krusty

Keith was an active member of these fora, always very generous with advice and encouragement: I still use his notes for getting through the Pentland Firth. He was also posted on the V-Twin riding Sail http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?198822-V-Twin-Riding-Sail

Keith thought the Pioneer 10 an excellent boat

 

[JumbleDuck]

There's a CO 26 moored next to us and we're not too impressed. Compared to our folkboat she does resemble a plastic bath tub sitting on the water. I suspect all the other GRP folkboat derivatives would be similar..

At risk of committing blasphemy, the Contessa 26 next to me in the boatyard always looks a bit flimsy from the outside - all the fittings seem a size or two smaller than on my 26 footer - and from pictures I have seen of Contessa insides, sheets of varnished plywood don't last well. Very pretty, though.

 

[doug748]

" Compared to our folkboat she does with all that freeboard, resemble a plastic bath tub sitting on the water. I suspect all the other GRP folkboat derivatives would be similar.."



You may want to kiss goodbye to all of the derivatives. The only one that will give you anything like the sailing experience of the Nordic is the IF boat.
A 1000 lbs lighter in build than the Co26 with less freeboard, more sail area and a fractional rig. Arguably the best looking GRP boat of the lot.

The accommodation is lavish by Nordic Folkboat standards:

View attachment 64657

But, with a bog in a box, and coal mining headroom, not the upgrade you are looking for.

PS

Old baldy cap likes his boat but is looking miserable because he has got the chick - but she has brought the kids.

 

[JumbleDuck]

What about a Marieholm 27?

 

[TQA]

Morgan Giles 30 might fit the bill. Should be within the budget.

 

[PhillM]

How about a Nic 32?

Ok a little over budget, but classic design and handling, grp so lower maintainence and plenty of room inside:

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=494616

Edit: Actually I just realised I know this boat from Cowes classic week. She is a wonderfully well maintained example and a bargain at that price.