Falcon Racing review: A keel dinghy with plenty of speed potential and excellent safety features

​We head out onto the Heeger Meer for the test. A fresh breeze with gusts of up to 20 knots seems quite a lot for a boat of this size at first. However, that impression is immediately put into perspective once out on the water. When sailing close-hauled, the Falcon immediately demonstrates its stability. Of course, it’s still a good idea to keep your weight on the windward side. Strap-ins would be useful for shifting your body weight even further to windward. You can manage just about with one foot under the traveller. Thanks to its ballast, however, the Falcon remains very stable in the water even in gusts.

The only thing that’s noticeable is the lack of a backstay, which causes some slack at the luff. Furthermore, the genoa halyard is simply routed round the mast and threaded through a cleat above the furling system on the forestay. This makes it difficult to reach whilst underway to apply a bit more tension. Nevertheless, speeds of over 5.5 knots close-hauled are achievable almost throughout. The rudder generates little pressure. With a tiller extension, it steers very comfortably on the edge. The low pressure is both an advantage and a disadvantage of the pre-balanced spade rudder under the stern. On a half-wind course, the Falcon practically sails straight ahead of its own accord; only when sailing close-hauled is she very slightly wind-seeking. A little more feedback would almost be desirable here. Once we’ve fallen off to a broad reach, the gennaker boom is extended and the colourful sail hoisted. Here, the owner has already fitted sail bags behind the mast, as is common on many dinghies. This simple system works brilliantly. Thanks to the large gap between the furled jib and the gennaker, jibes are also easy to execute. In gusts, the 30 square metres of sail area in front of the mast instantly convert the pressure into speed. We made good progress planing along at between seven and just under nine knots. Throughout, the Falcon remained very easy to control at the helm.

Overall, the sailing characteristics are very good. Its ease of handling, combined with good speed potential, simply makes for great fun. The Falcon’s high stability in gusts and during gennaker manoeuvres makes it suitable for beginners or sailing students, whilst also providing a thoroughly enjoyable experience for experienced sailors on the water.

Measuring 4.14 metres in length and 1.31 metres in width, the spacious cockpit can comfortably accommodate more than two people. According to the shipyard, it can carry up to six people. It is divided only by the traveller, which spans the entire width. The optional deck covering with a teak plank finish is a lovely feature. The Easy-Tek covering costs from 3,580 euros extra, depending on the specification; it looks very good and offers good grip. Hull colours (other than white) also incur an additional charge (€650), as do the rubbing strake (€680) and the storage compartments in the cockpit floor (€1,250). The wide traveller is also an option (€2,180); a central platform for the sheet block comes as standard. Those wishing to have an auxiliary propulsion system can choose between a permanently installed pod drive (from €3,990) or various outboard motors. The electric outboard with a control lever in the cockpit performed very well on the test boat. This makes harbour manoeuvres and the journey to a sheltered spot for setting sail simple and stress-free.

These extras are all added on top of the base price of 28,500 euros. This already includes the rig, gennaker boom and sails. However, the furling system for the headsail, the pin extension and the gennaker must be ordered separately. The Falcon Race is a successful modern interpretation of the Polyvalk concept. The boat combines tried-and-tested Dutch sailing tradition with contemporary construction methods and sporty fittings. Production at Neptun Yachten in Germany guarantees short supply chains and good service. With a base price of 28,500 euros, the Falcon is not a bargain, but it is nonetheless a good deal for a sailing boat built in Germany.

In any case, the concept is spot on: a compact, trailerable boat for inland waters and coastal sailing that is extremely versatile. It offers experienced sailors good speed potential, whilst the high level of safety provided by the keel and buoyancy chambers also makes it an ideal training or cruising boat. However, the fixed keel does have its drawbacks. For instance, the Falcon cannot simply be slipped into the water; a crane is required for launching. Anyone looking for a modern knick-spanter with classic charm and who values German craftsmanship should take a closer look at the Falcon 22 Race.

Technical specifications and prices:

• ​Designer: Klaas Goos
• Fuselage length: 6.56 metres
• Width: 2.07 metres
• Draught: 0.95 metres
• Weight: 525 kilograms
• Ballast: 160 kilograms
• Mainsail: 18.6 square metres
• Fore-sail: 9.8 square metres
• Gennaker: 30.2 square metres
• Base price: 28,500 euros
• ​Easy-Tek rod deck in the cockpit: from 3,580 euros
• Skirting board: 680 euros
• Storage compartments in the cockpit floor: 1,250 euros
• Traveller: 2,180 euros
• Pod drive: from 3,990 euros
• Trailer: 3,890 euros
• Website: https://falconsailing.de/