Yachting Monthly

31/12/2024

Handling a catamaran in manoeuvres can sometimes be �easier than with a monohull, but there are a few surprising differences...

Handling a multihull in manoeuvres can sometimes be �easier than with a monohull, but there are a few surprising differences, as Paul Hayes reveals

31/12/2024

‘The sickening sound of tearing wood as we were hit by the wave’

A freak wave wreaks havoc on Kass Schmitt and Rupert Holmes' 36ft one design yacht Zest as they attempt to sail to Lanzarote

31/12/2024

What would you do if your boat broached?

If your boat was about to broach what would you do? James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship

30/12/2024

The Folkboat design is rare: a successful design-by-committee.

Despite low headroom, spartan accommodation and a potentially wet ride, the Folkboat remains one of the most iconic yachts of the last 100 years. Nic Compton finds out why...

While the rest of Europe was at war in 1941, neutral Sweden was still happily messing around with boats. The Royal Swedish Sailing Association (RSSA) launched a design competition for an affordable, easy-to-sail cruising/racing boat. They received an astonishing 58 entries, and while no single design clinched the prize, they commended six designs.

Up-and-coming yacht designer Tord Sundén was asked to combine the best features of the six winning designs and came up with a boat that somehow managed to be fast yet seaworthy, elegant yet functional, traditional yet timeless.

The first Folkboat was built at the Arendal yard in Gothenburg and launched in April 1942. Although it took a little while for the design to take off, the boat's remarkable seaworthiness combined with a good turn of speed soon won sailors over – not just in Sweden but, eventually, the world over.

'So what makes the Folkboat special? There’s that sweeping sheer, dipping down to as little as 1ft 10in (0.56m) amidships, and the sharp overhanging bow which deflects the waves so effectively. She has a firm tuck in the bilge, which cuts into the boat’s accommodation but gives her an extra turn of speed and improved windward performance.'

'All in all, it’s a well-judged design with great all-round performance. And the boat soon acquired a devoted following.'

Nordic Folkboat Specifications:
- Designer: Tord Sundén / Royal Swedish Sailing Association
- Years built: 1942 onwards
- LOA: 25ft 2in / 7.68m
- LWL: 19ft 8in / 6.00m
- Beam: 7ft 2in / 2.20m
- Draft: 3ft 11in / 1.19m
- DisplacementI: 4,255 lbs / 1,930kg (minimum)
- Ballast: 2,206 lbs / 1,000kg
- Sail area: 258sq ft / 24m2
- Price: £6,500 – £22,000

30/12/2024

Sam Shrives contends with sea ice and an amorous walrus during a three-month cruise from Norway across the Barents Sea to Svalbard. The article was runner-up in the 2021 Brian Black Memorial Award for marine environmental journalism.

Sam Shrives contends with sea ice and an amorous walrus during a three-month cruise from Norway across the Barents Sea to Svalbard

30/12/2024

"A very commanding feel at the wheel... she's very easy to sail shorthanded"

Looking for a good all-round family cruising boat with a good turn of speed, there are plenty of strong contenders, including the Moody S38

30/12/2024

Small four-stroke outboard engines are pretty simple. Here's how to fix the most common problems, from gummed-up carburettors to broken thermostats.

Small four-stroke outboard engines are pretty simple. Here's how to fix the most common problems, from gummed-up carburettors to broken thermostats

29/12/2024

Planning on selling you boat? We share the industry tips for listing your boat for sale and the pitfalls to avoid when selling

The founder of Boatshed, Neil Chapman shares tips for listing your boat for sale and the pitfalls to avoid when selling you boat

29/12/2024

If you're looking for a boat that’s easily tamed from the wheel, simple to handle and family-friendly on deck and down below, she’s a comfortable contender for your cash...

If you think Jeanneau only makes boats for the charter market, think again. The 41DS is aimed squarely at the average cruising couple, as Chris Beeson finds out

29/12/2024

The mainsheet is the most worked item of deck gear, so it's vital to choose the right system and set it up correctly. Here's how...

The mainsheet is the most worked item of deck gear, so it's vital to choose the right system and set it up correctly for your boat

28/12/2024

What impact does the keel have on your boat's performance? We look at the pros and cons of each main keel type...

James Jermain looks at the main keel types, their typical performance and the pros and cons of each

28/12/2024

Sam Shrives contends with sea ice and an amorous walrus during a three-month cruise from Norway across the Barents Sea to Svalbard. This article was runner-up in the 2021 Brian Black Memorial Award for marine environmental journalism...

Sam Shrives contends with sea ice and an amorous walrus during a three-month cruise from Norway across the Barents Sea to Svalbard

28/12/2024

A thorough breakdown of how to avoid other ships at sea, from tankers to trawlers.

Jonty Pearce gives a thorough breakdown of how to avoid other ships at sea, from tankers to trawlers

27/12/2024

Tapio Lehtinen shares with Yachting Monthly the lessons he learned from his rescue and theories about why his boat sank.

When Golden Globe Race competitor Tapio Lehtinen was woken by a loud bang, he had just enough time to jump into his liferaft

27/12/2024

Owning a boat can be an expensive pastime, especially now, but there are numerous ways to cut the bills for some cheap boating. Duncan Kent finds some ways to save you money and keep you afloat...

Owning a boat can be an expensive pastime, especially now, but there are numerous ways to cut the bills for some cheap boating.

27/12/2024

What do you never sail without?

This winter, give a thought to the tools and spares that you carry onboard to keep you cruising next season, says Rachael Sprot

26/12/2024

'I always dreamed of taking part in the race from Harlingen to the isle of Terschelling on the Wadden Sea (the HT race), but I thought I didn’t have the boat for it. After the successful IJsselmeer trip I confirmed the statement ‘the best boat to sail around the world on, is the boat you own’. My boat was certainly good enough to participate in the HT race.'

After a mere 12 years of restoration, Gerben Bergsma gets a little more than he bargained for in a race from Harlingen to the isle of Terschelling.

'I always dreamed of taking part in the race from Harlingen to the isle of Terschelling on the Wadden Sea (the HT race), but I thought I didn’t have the boat for it. After the successful IJsselmeer trip I confirmed the statement ‘the best boat to sail around the world on, is the boat you own’. My boat was certainly good enough to participate in the HT race.

'When we entered the Meep the tide changed, the wind increased to 20 knots with gusts of 25 knots and we faced huge round waves which the boat easily took. We got more and more exhausted by the constant bracing and tightening and letting out of the sheets.

'The salty water was dangerously reaching the cockpit edge and we were sailing with all we had to prevent the boat from taking too much water. We sailed constantly close-hauled and battled our way upwind through the North Meep.'

'At last, we reached the finish as the very last boat. We pull-started the 60-year-old Yamaha outboard at one go and tried to reach the harbour in 25 knots of wind and high-peaked waves.'

'The engine faltered and I was scared to be shipwrecked on the shallow waters in sight of the harbour. Luckily we managed to reach the pierheads for the harbour; within these it was suddenly quiet and peaceful.'

'Not fast enough for the rankings, but at least we stayed afloat!'

Images credits: Gerben Bergsma

26/12/2024

Rusty on radar? To the uninitiated, radar can seem like a dark art. YM instructor Rachael Sprot steps aboard to help Sophia Lagus and crew want to learn how to use radar for pilotage and navigation.

YM instructor Rachael Sprot steps aboard to help. This month, Sophia Lagus and crew want to learn how to use their yacht radar for pilotage and navigation