Work begins on a replacement clubhouse
Erith Yacht Club‘s floating clubhouse, the former car ferry Folgefonn, is heading for Norway to be restored to her former glory.
The 72-year-old vessel, which has been moored at Erith on the Thames Esturary since 1981, will be towed to Tilbury on Wednesday to be loaded on to a heavy lift ship.
Construction has started on the replacement, a purpose-built clubhouse ashore, bringing to an end Erith YC’s long established practice of using floating headquarters.
Norwegian preservationists plan to restore Folgefonn which was, when built in 1938, Norway’s largest car ferry. She was licensed to carry 300 passengers and 20 cars, and remained in service within the Hardangerfjord area until 1978.
Alterations made by Erith YC included converting her wheelhouse and passenger area on the top deck to a bar, her car deck to a function deck with a stage and an adjoining galley, and her lower passenger saloon to a lounge and second bar.
