The Folkboat design as liveaboard cruising boat has come up before, but the discussion went off topic only after writing it off for its lack of headroom. The Top Hat and Clansman were offered as alternatives. I just want to add my two cents worth.
Having owned and cruised and livedaboard a Top Hat and now owning a Folkie which I have sailed offshore a little. The Folkie is head and shoulders above the TH; better looking, stiffer, faster, and more willing to steer itself. The Clansman is way too expensive for most guys who sail alone.
In addition, I hold that it's the sailor, not the boat, that's critical: read "Dove", or "Tinkerbelle" and so on. Every mooring field the world over are full of large unused yachts, too big or too costly to sail regularly. Sail what you've got.

Who can install them in the Sydney area?

Hi there,
Do you think I have a big problem with the cockpit drain sea cocks on my trailer sailer. They leak a egg cupful in about 24 hours. I have some hardwood tapered wedges on the boat.
LA Lancer

I bought my Folkboat nearly three months ago now.

Yesterday I had to finally accept that I have been taken for a big, fat ride by the shipwright I entrusted to work on my little boat. Despite promise after unfilled promise, the work is nowhere near complete. I would estimate it is about 1/8 finished.

I (stupidly) handed over $1300 before work commenced. He returned $100 and told me I won't be getting any more than that back.

To 'protect my gear from the dust' he removed all my gear from the boat and stored it at his home. After countless demands, he finally returned some of this gear. I eventually had to have a male friend intervene to have some more items returned. However, some things remain unaccounted for.

I'm very upset and sad. Call me stupid if you like, but I do tend to be a trusting soul. All I wanted was to have my boat fixed and go sailing. Was this really too much to ask? Now I'm back at Square One.

As a concept, for singlehanded coastal cruising, which would you choose?

I have two cockpit drains that currently drain to skin fittings that sit below the waterline. The skin fittings have bronze gate valves that the hoses connect to, which have corroded into the open position.

I am not really comfortable with the idea of two skin fittings sitting below the waterline with these valves. I am thinking of putting a new drain fitting on the transom above the waterline that I can connect to the existing drains.

Would place a loop in the pipe to prevent back feed from any following waves that may wash up on the stern. Top of the loop would need to sit lower that the cockpit floor to make sure water still runs down hill from the sole :)

Any thoughts on if this is a workable option?

Thanks

what are the best and cheapest way to have on board power for things like fans, lights, radio, tv

These guys seem to have done ok in a small boat. I have a few reasons for preferring a

smaller vessel. Cost not the least. Any thoughts re folkboats.

hi all, i am looking for some advise on the best live-aboard coastal cruisers. its time to say goodbye to trailer sailers and it's my plan to live aboard for the next 2 years (at least). i am based around harvey bay and looking for a strong seaworthy yacht suitable for east coast cruising. my budget is around the $45,000 mark, but cheaper would be better! i had been considering the adams 35 but recently have been looking at the westsail 32. maybe a roberts??? any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
thanks, dave.