a site dedicated to this sturdy little craft

Varne Folkboats

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Varne Folkboat

Varne Marine was based on the picturesque River Blackwater in Essex (for the history page, click here).

In 1977, following an agreement with the Folkboat Association of Great Britain, Varne Marine announced, club magazine 'Lightship' of July 1977, that 'Varne Folkboats Ltd' would produce the approved GRP version

Please contact us if you have any detail to add, however slight.
Association members should use the forum.
Varne Lightship

Varne Folkboat Announcement

Alan Hill designed the coachroof of the Varne Folkboat for "Varne Folkboat Limited".

Dennis Byatt (now an honorary member) recalls: "An agreement with the Folkboat Association led to the production of a fibre-glass version which was also shown at Southampton. We exhibited at local boat shows, took part in the "One of a Kind" event and exhibited at the Southampton Boat Show. A significant number of early customers were from Scandinavia and Holland. The demise of the company was the three day week and the exchange rate which devastated sales and the firm was wound up. The moulds were sold but I'm not sure of the details."

Varne Folkboat Gallery
Click here to see the folkboat gallery
Varne Folkboat Gallery

Varne Folkboat Resources
Varne Folkboat at the 1977 Southampton Boatshow
The image, from Dennis Byatt, shows
Mabel Byatt in a Varne Folkboat at the September 1977 Southampton Boat Show.

members only: click to see high resolution pictures in a new window

 

Varne Folkboat Register
Members can click here for a full list of Varne Folkboats
(note: only boats / owners we're aware of - members only).

Original Brochures (Click to see larger images)

Original Folkboat Brochure Varne Folkboats 1977
Members can click to see the full brochures shown above

 

Panache FB602
Varne Folkboat Panache, sailing in the Clyde, from Adam Norman (click for higher resolution)
Panache