Following the worldwide success of the original wooden Nordic Folkboat, it was natural that the Swedish Yard of Marieholm Bruk should commission designer Tord Sunden to redesign the boat for fibreglass construction. The International Folkboat appeared in 1969 and became known in Europe as the Marieholm IF Boat. The designer very wisely retained the time tested sea kindly lines and used the new method of construction to achieve a more graceful profile, more interior space and a larger sail area for better light airs performance.
Her sailing credentials are superb. As one would expect from a Scandinavian designed and built boat she is a very capable heavy weather boat and has an exceptionally good performance in light airs. With her long keel, fine lines and 7/8 rig she is well balanced and can sail hands off!
Hull measurements are 26 feet overall length, 6 feet 7 inches beam, draught 3 feet 9 inches and a displacement of 2.1 tons.
During the period 1969 to 1977 over 3,000 Marieholm International Folkboats were built and there are active racing fleets in Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
The UK fleet is concentrated in St Mawes and the Solent and we always endeavour to enlarge the fleet as and when boats become available.
IF-Boats are very popular in Europe and around the world, so here are some links to other useful websites.
A Marieholm International Folkboat Page (solopublications.com)
UK IF-Boat Association