December 2025 Class Rule Clarification CR 2.405 and CR 9.13
Clarification CR 2.405
The minimum opening area 0,55m2 is in one piece. It is not permitted to divide the opening area into several parts.
Clarification CR 9.13
A separate small transparent window for tell tale is allowed in addition to the two unwoven transparent panels. Total area including tell tale window is max 0.5 m2
December 2024 Rule Clarification CR 7.20
Clarification CR 7.20
The position of the shroud in the boat's longitudinal direction shall be measured from
the aft edge of the mast when the mast is vertical and centred in the mast hole.
The point of intersection of the shroud in the boat deck shall be measured along the
centre line of the shroud and its extension.
April and May 2023 Updates and Clarifications
May 2023: Rule 9.21/9.15 Clarification
9.21/9.15 In cases where the boom's groove runs all the way up to the front edge of the boom, it is permitted to end the continuous bolt rope up to 120mm before the tack measurement point 1. The same applies if the boom’s groove goes up to or past the boom point, it is permitted to end the continuous bolt rope up to 120mm before the clew measurement point 1. This does not contradict the purpose of rule CR 9.15 or CR 9.21
1 As defined in World Sailing Equipment Rules of Sailing Part 2 Section G4
April 2023: Rule 1.61 Measurement
1.61 If a yacht is to be re-measured (see rule 1.64 below) this shall be carried out in accordance with the rules in force at the time the yacht's original measurement certificate was issued, except that spars, rigging, sail and weight shall be measured in accordance with the current class rules.
April 2023: Rule 9.14 Sail Numbers
9.14 The class insignia (letter F), national letters and sail numbers shall be placed as laid down in current
WORLD SAILING Racing Rules, Appendix G.
Letters and numbers shall not be less than the following dimensions:
Height 300 mm
Width 200 mm (excluding number 1 and letter I)
Thickness 40 mm
Space between adjoining letters and numbers 60 mm
April 2023: Rule 10.0 Weight
10. WEIGHT OF NORDIC FOLKBOAT
10.10 The weight of the boat shall not be less than 1930 kg. weighed complete with floorboards, pumps, seats, and all fittings normally used on board whilst racing, together with the following: Mast and boom ( without whisker pole and /or spinnaker pole ) with all their fittings, standing rigging, halyards and sheets for mainsail.
The material of the mast and boom must be stated in the boat's measurement certificate. The equipment included in the weight of not less than 1930kg shall not thereafter be removed whilst racing and shall be in its normal position whilst racing; e.g. the helmsman’s seat.
10.20 If the boat is found to be underweight, corrector weights of any material having a specific gravity no greater than that of lead and. shall be fastened to the hull as described in 10.20.1, 10.20.2 and 10.20.3 below.
10.20.1 Boats built before 01.01 2002 are permitted to have corrector weights to bring the keel weight up to a maximum weight in accordance with rule 4.20. The actual keel weight shall be confirmed by the measurement certificate. Corrector weights shall be mounted in the bilge at stations 8, 5, 9, 6 and 7, the sequence is mandatory, in pieces up to 10 kg. Pieces may be split if lifting eyes are in the way.
10.20.2 Remaining hull correctors shall be placed:
-To 40 % at not less than 3.40 m aft of the forward face of the mast, no deeper than 578 mm below a line joining the two sheer lines.
-To 60% not less than 0.25 m and not more than 0.60 m forward of the forward face of the mast, no deeper than 844 mm below a line joining the two sheer lines.
The corrector weight may be divided and placed off the centerline.
10.20.3 Boats built 01.01.2002 or later and found to be underweight are permitted to have hull correctors only totaling not more than 30 kg and mounted as described in 10.20.2 above.
Keel correctors are not permitted for boats built 01.01.2002 or later.
10.30 The correctors shall be fixed by such means that they cannot be removed without the use of tools.
10.40 The weight and position of all corrector weights shall be entered on the yacht's measurement certificate.
April 2023: Rules 12.20 Kicker System - Clarification
12.20 A rod kick that is adjusted with a trimming system consisting of blocks and rope with
an integrated passive gas spring that pushes out the kick rod, is not to be seen as an
entire hydraulic or pneumatic system for trimming. This kind of trimming system is not
against CR 12.20.
May 2017: Handholds
Clarification to CR 13.20
The distance from the main bulkhead, 200mm, shall be understood as the fixing point.
No part of a handhold shall come closer to the sheer line than 100 mm.
The handholds are to be considered as safety equipment.
November 2015: Ballast keel
Clarification to CR 4.10 ( Ballast keel )
It is allowed to cover the iron ballast keel with fiberglass, reinforced plastic, filler and paint, provided the finished dimensions are within the tolerances of the keel drawing. This is for rust protection an covering of the gap between iron ballast keel and hull.
For information: NFIA is doing a survey regarding keel dimensions compared with existing drawing. This survey will continue 2016. NFIA is aware of that some keels are originally a little bit on the minus side.
Please be aware of the bottom rounding profile. Special attention will be given to this at bigger sailing events, such as Gold Cup, 2016. It is not allowed to alter the profile more than the tolerances on the keel drawing, from which here you find a cut-out.
May 2013: Measurement proofs in Sails
In the recent past there has been some discussion about the handling of measurement proofs in sails.
According to CR 9.16 each sail shall be measured and approved by an official measurer who shall stamp or fix an official sail button and sign and date a mainsail or headsail near the tack, and a spinnaker near the head, all acc. to rule CR 1.54.
Sails manufactured in Germany or in Denmark for instance get by the licensed measurer the blue button of the country’s national sailing association; sails coming from the UK, Sweden or Austria are simply stamped and signed by the measurer in charge without a button fitted to the sails.
Sails not being clearly to identify where or by whom they have been measured, could be subject of a re-measurement, for instance with championships or measurement protests. In these cases the measurer in charge may insist on tagging a measurement proof valid in his home country even when the sails are manufactured in foreign countries.
Dec 2011: Tie-rod / Stiffener
The Technical Committee has clarified CR 11.11.2.
According to the rule a tie-rod between deck and mast-step is permitted.
Also acceptable is a "stiffener" between those two points.
April 2010: Second-hand material
Second-hand material for Nordic Folkboats (like boats, sails, trailer ...) are offered on several websites.
For Germany you will find a market-place (Marktplatz)on www.folkeboote.de.
For Finland please review www.folkkari.net.
For other countries please contact the local associations.
April 2012: Spreader Construction
Technical Committee have by request of a National Union evaluated a question about the legality of a Spreader Construction included 2 pcs. of crossmembers (see attached picture # 1).
TC have appraise that the construction is governed by the CR, rule 6.1.12:--------. They shall be connected at points within 100 mm. of the bearing point (picture # 2) by across member of a dia--------
Decision: TC have that view:
The construction is inconsistent with rule 6.1.12
April 2006: NFIA Sail buttons
In case a certified sailmaker is in need of the NFIA sail buttons, please contact the NFIA secretary via E-Mail ( secretary(at)folkboat.com ).
April 2006: Masts made from Thuja-wood
After advice from the Swedish Folkboat association the Technical Committee is being aware that there are produced some masts in Denmark in Thuja-wood.
According to this information we have investigated this, and the Danish mast builder have informed us that in total there are built 12 masts in Thuja-wood: 3 of those are broken, 1 is in Norway and the rest is probably mounted on boats in Denmark, Germany and/or Sweden.
The class rules par. 6. 1. 2 lay down:
The mast shall only be made of European spruce, European pine/Oregon pine or Sitka spruce.
Thuja-wood is a Cypress (Cypress occindentalis ) and growing in Canada.
The Technical Committee is pointing out:
Using of Thuja-wood to masts for the Nordic Folkboat is not permitted.
April 2006: Thickness of rudder
When measuring rudders at the Gold Cup in Malmo, Sweden it was found that there were variations in the thickness of several rudders.
The Board of NFIA has at its meeting in March 2006 discussed the matter and it was decided that it was necessary to point out that the rudder on a Folkboat must look the same as rudders on all other Folkboats.
As a consequence of certain sailors creativity, and the difficulty in the manufacturing process when constructing GRP rudders, the board proposed an amendment to the class rules to set the limit for rudder thickness to a max. of 50 mm. below the CWL (Construction Water Line).
March 2006: Racing with an outboard engine mounted
Question:
Is it permitted to sail in a race with a outboard engine mounted?
Answer:
The question about sailing in a race with a outboard engine mounted on the aft of the boat has been considered after request
The item would be an obstruction for other boats that are crossing the course and will further require other boats to give the boat with the engine undeserved room when rounding marks.
Decision: TC have that view:
Referring to rule 1.11 is it not allowed to race with a outboard engine mounted on the aft of the boat.
Particularly circumstances may make it necessesary to have direct access to an engine.
Therefore it is acceptable to have the permanent part mounted on the aft deck.
It is not in accordance with the CR to race with an outboard engine mounted on the aft deck of the boat.
Jan 2006: Weight of a Nordic Folkboat
The weighing of a Danish boat included a permanent fitted battery and that has been discussed with SYRU and with the Danish Board. That is in conflict with rule 12.30
In the light of this issue the Technical Chairman asks you to notice following:
Items included in the weight shall are only those which are mentioned in CR, rule 10.10
All other equipment and items - including permanently fitted electronical or electrical accessories - shall be removed with weighing.
July 2004: Class Rule 11.10.7
The Board and Technical Committee have been requested to clarify the rule regarding Bucket or Bailer as per CR 11.10.7.
The intention of the rule is that the crew shall be able, should there be a malfunction of the pump, to easily remove water entering the boat.
The Technical Committee have stated that:
The Bucket or Bailer is a circular or rectangular item with a robust bottom, vertically side or sides and an open top with an area not less than 380 cm2. (Equal with a diameter: Ø 220 mm.) and with a robust handle attached near the open top.