Book review: The Folkboat Story by Dieter Loibner

I saw this mentioned and referred to several times wherever Folkboats were mentioned on the internet, so decided to order a copy.

Despite the uninspiring cover, the book is fascinating, more than a good detailed history of the design and the class, but also a concise and interesting resource for Folkboat culture. With everything from the voyage of Anne Gash the grandmother who sailed around the work in her Folkboat Ilma, to the heroic Blonde Hastler and his experiments in the modified Folkboat Jester.

It slightly biased perhaps towards the Wooden Clinker built boats, nothing wrong with that, as it constructively discuss the conversion of the folkboat from wooden hulls to a glass fiber one, with an interesting commentary on the building techniques and styles.

My favorite section is on the 'lure of the Folkboat', which looks at the versatility of the yachts, and how they are used by their owners. In fact a good sentiment set by the title is that it talks as much about the people involved with Folkboats, from designers and builders to sailors, racers and owners. This is part of the key to the success of this design, it inspires safety, reliability, honesty and simplicity in sailing, which draws such a diverse cross-section of people towards it.

Full of black and white photos and illustrations and very well written, this one of those books that has a direct comparison out side of sailing, with titles such as those around 'cult motorcars such as the Mini and the Beatle. -Both designed in similar times and to similar briefs.

One amusing line is that, to be a true Folkboat you have no inboard engine and no life-rails around the edge, so thats Shoestring's pedigree gone if that is ever enforced.

In the UK Amazon.co.uk seems to be the best place to get hold of a copy of The , prices do vary but I purchased my copy for £17.95 in hardback.