44
I
continued to develop the facilities at
Barnes farm and designed a cradle
system to enable me to move the boats
from the sea to the workshops, without
the need for an expensive road trailer
for each boat. The cradles also had the
benefit of moving the boats around the
yard plus, making it easier to antifoul
and work on the hull without a large road
trailer in the way. I purchased a gantry
enabling me to lift the boats and work on
the keels. Antifouling became easier, as
by lifting the hull, I could paint from bow
to stern in one clean sweep.
A dedicated mast store enables me to
keep those wooden spars frost free in the
winter and cuts down maintenance for my
customers.
Today I am proud to say, that Folkboats
have grown way beyond the days of
Peter Ament and are reaching across the
waters to the USA and down to Australia;
where I have made new friends and serve
the Folkboats worldwide.
In 2016, I was lucky enough purchase my
very own Nordic Folkboat “Sky”, which
I had to refurbish. She was launched in
2017, much to my wife Dee's and my
delight, and is now our pride and joy.
She has been much admired and we look
forward to sailing her with the Lymington
fleet this year, 2018.
Folkboats UK - How it all Started
Dee and Tony on Sky
FOLKBOATS FOREVER
I am currently working on another project;
a Varne Folkboat. She has been stripped
down to the bones and will hopefully be
launched in 2019. She will be used for
cruising around the Solent and possibly
beyond, so watch this space!
Folkboats for ever.
Tony Smee
Mr Folkboat
