HISTORY & DESCRIPTION:
The legendary Folkboat needs little introduction as one of the most successful small yacht designs of all time, with a good cruising and racing record and a number of Atlantic crossings.
Within the U.K. the activities of this One-Design class are organised by the Folkboat Association of Great Britain. Established in April 1961 the Association was formed to ‘foster a fellowship amongst all those who sail in Folkboats’ and over the past 50 years it has continued to promote both the racing and cruising aims of Folkboat owners. The largest fleet in the UK is based at Lymington although the class has always had strong connections with the Isle of Wight. The largest annual regatta, Folkboat Week, is held each August under the burgee of the Royal Solent Yacht Club and combines a good racing schedule with varied social programme. An increasing number of Folkboats are now based in Yarmouth harbour and these extra boats have persuaded the Royal Solent to give the class their own start in the new sailing programme.
Folkboat Martha McGilda was commissioned by dinghy sailor Noel Jordan in 1953. Legendary boat-builder Jack Chippendale 1924-2012 was the first commercial Nordic Folkboat builder in the UK. Martha McGilda being English Folkboat number 15.
In 1954 Noel Jordan entered Martha McGilda in the East Anglian Offshore Championships taking first prize. In 1956 Noel sold the Folkboat to Lady Frederica Rozelle Ridgeway Pierrepont (later Lady Raynes) daughter of 6th Earl of Manvers. After serving in the WRNS Rozelle, facinated by the sea sailed Martha McGilda extensively in the Baltic, mostly single-handed later publishing a book about her adventures in ‘North in a Nutshell’ later books followed including ‘A Boat Called Martha’ in 2001 and ‘Sea Bird’.
In 1974 Rozelle enbarked on a bold social experiment called the ‘Tuesday Boys’ This involved sail training with boys living in long-term social care. The experiment was a great success and many of the trainees became friends for life. Martha McGilda became well known and as such was painted by one of the greatest marine artists Montague Dawson. The Royal Cruising Club in 2003, Martha’s 50th.
Lady Rozelle died in 2015, aged nearly ninety. The current owner of Martha McGilda has owned the boat for the last ten years and is now only selling through ill health.
Traditional lapstrake (clinker) construction, mahogany planked and copper fastened to steam bent oak timbers. Sheathed timber decks and varnished mahogany superstructure.
Standard folkboat rig with main and jib.
12hp Vire petrol engine, three bladed propeller.
Traditional accommodation little changed from original with galley area aft, saloon settees, fore cabin, sail stowage and heads.
BROKERS NOTE:
A well known and early Folkboat built by the famous Jack Chippendale, offering an uncomplicated and satisfying sailing experience. Extremely original throughout.
GUIDE: SOLD
LYING: Kent
VIEWING: Through the brokers – CLASSIC YACHT BROKERAGE”
