FAQ

Purchasing

You can secure a slot in our production schedule with a modest, refundable deposit.
We can typically build your boat and deliver it within a year from order, and at times in
as little as 4-6 months. Contact us for current lead times, and visit our Purchasing
page for more details.

The initial deposit can be paid online by credit card. The balance of payment is made
either with three post-dated checks sent together by courier, or by individual bank
wires sent as work progresses.

NorseBoat are sold direct to customers throughout North America and abroad. In
some key boating areas we have Owner Agents who can share their experiences and
provide local sales support.

Selecting options

Most customers outfit their NorseBoat with a trailer, keel protection strip, set of oars
with oarlocks, a whole boat or cockpit cover, electric motor, manual bilge pump, and
folding ladder for safety. The other options add convenience, comfort or style, and we
can help you choose them wisely.

Shipping

Yes, we welcome customers to visit our shop, pick up their boat and trailer it home. It’s a chance to meet the builders, see where the boats are made, and visit PEI and The
Maritime provinces of Canada.

Yes, NorseBoats can be shipped across Canada and the US in an enclosed transport
truck, and to Europe and other international destinations by ocean freight to a
convenient port.

Unless you have access to a loading dock, you’ll need a local tilt-deck tow truck to
unload your boat quickly and safely from the transport truck.

Can’t find an Answer?

Characteristics

Unmatched versatility is the main difference. Craftsmanship, aesthetics and performance also set them apart from the competition.

Yes. NorseBoats are designed to be easy to handle, making them a good choice for beginners. That said, the more experience you have, the more enjoyment you’ll get out of a NorseBoat.

Stability comes from efficient hull shape, adequate beam, low center of gravity, a ballasted centerboard, and a water ballast chamber under the flat cockpit floor.

Unless you have access to a loading dock, you’ll need a local tilt-deck tow truck to unload your boat quickly and safely from the transport truck.

A NorseBoat can be best described as a sailboat you can easily row, whereas some competitors have rowing boats that can also be sailed, which is a big difference. The NorseBoat’s beam is a little narrower compared to its length than a standard sailboat, but the hull shape favours efficient sailing. Overall, the compromises are small and the NorseBoat excels in both sailing and rowing modes.

A NorseBoat’s relatively light weight allows it to handle like a thoroughbred, but it also means it maintains a bit less momentum through a tack when sailing to windward. You’ll soon discover best ways to handle your NorseBoat on all points of sail.

Capacity

The cockpit of the 17.5 model is remarkably large. Two to four persons fit comfortably depending on wind and sea conditions, and up to a crew of six can be accommodated if winds are moderate and one or two of the crew are children.

For daysailing or multi-day adventures there is abundant locker space and carrying capacity. As a testament to this, two 2-man teams took NorseBoat 17.5s through the arctic carrying all their food, water and safety gear.

Trailering & Launching

The ball size is 2”, the height off the ground should be roughly 16”, and the winch stand location can be adjusted for a tongue weight of around 125 lbs.

The total tow weight of a NorseBoat 17.5 is only 1100 lbs, so a modest-size vehicle will be fine. A NorseBoat 21.5 on a trailer weighs twice this amount, so a larger vehicle is needed.

Yes. The mast will extend about 4 feet beyond the back of the boat, but angled up to keep it safe from an approaching vehicle. A red flag tied to the end of items extending beyond a vehicle or trailer is required.

Rigging is quick and straightforward thanks to the pivoting carbon mast and furled jib, and the clean deck layout. Most owners can be ready to launch in about 10 minutes.

The roller trailer makes launching and retrieval a breeze. Launching from a beach is easy if the slope is adequate, a little more difficult if the slope is gradual.

With the mainsail lowered the mast can easily be pivoted down about halfway to allow for motoring under a bridge and out to open water. To pivot down further the mainsail and boom would have to be removed, then replaced after passing under the bridge.

Rowing

Two sets of oarlock sockets come with the 12.5 and 17.5. A second set of oars allows two crew members to row these models.

One person can row the NorseBoat 17.5 at 2-1/2 to 3 knots in calm conditions. Two rowers can move the boat at the same speed, but for longer.

Narrow blade oars, and taking modest “bites” of water with each stroke give the best results for the profile and weight of a NorseBoat. Rowing is easy in calm conditions. When the wind pipes up you’ll much rather be sailing.

Optional sliding seat units are mainly for recreational rowing. For occasional or mid-performance rowing the standard fixed thwarts work just fine.

The aft position is best for single rowing. If needed, put some extra weight up forward to keep the boat balanced.

You can attach the mainsheet to one of the jib sheet lines to keep it and the mainsail to port or starboard while rowing.

Sailing

Very easy, since the jib has roller furling and all control lines lead to the helm.

A NorseBoat is relatively lightweight, so when tacking in light winds pick a gap between waves, put the tiller over decisively, and if needed, backwind the jib until you come through the wind. Also, a full-batten mainsail is powerful but doesn’t visibly luff like other mainsails. You’ll know when you are sailing too close to the wind by a luffing jib or the boat suddenly losing speed.

Similar to riding a bicycle, when sailing you’ll be constantly, subconsciously adjusting your weight to keep the boat in balance. Allow the boat to heel a bit, then adjust your weight, the course steered, and the sail shape or amount of sail up to keep the boat from heeling too much. An optional telescoping tiller extension allows you to move toward the middle of the boat when solo sailing.

Yes. It’s got good stability and is easy to manage since all control lines are led to the helm. Take sailing lessons and follow good dinghy sailing techniques.

Capsizing

Due to good stability and hull shape, capsize is unlikely…but it can happen. Gaining experience with dinghy sailing and sail at your level of expertise are the best ways to stay upright and safe. Reduce sail early, keep a hand on the mainsheet to quickly release pressure on the mainsail, adjust course if needed, and in windy conditions adjust the weight of crew and gear to keep the boat balanced. While gaining
experience, lower the sails and use the electric motor if your skill level and sea conditions warrant it.

Only a very small percentage of our boats have ever capsized and fully inverted. If this happens and sea conditions are favourable, stand on the bottom of the hull and use the centreboard as a lever to right the boat. If a motor boat is available, tie a rope to the jib sheet bullseye block (port or starboard), run it across the bottom of the hull to the motor boat and pull gently and evenly until the boat becomes righted.

Motoring

Yes. NorseBoats are designed to be motored safely and efficiently using a small electric or gas outboard motor. Motoring is an integral part of the boat’s three-mode versatility: sail, row, and motor.

A clean, quiet 3hp electric outboard motor like the Torqeedo Travel is highly recommended. For longer excursions where periodic recharging of batteries is not practical, a 4-stroke gas outboard might be the better option.

It’s best to keep the motor in position and use the boat’s tiller for steering. In tight quarters some extra steering power from the motor can be useful.

Camping

Yes. The NorseBoat is designed to support comfortable overnight camping, making it ideal for weekend adventures and micro-cruising.

Our camping tent zips onto the dodger, goes over the bimini and snaps around the coaming to form a weatherproof cockpit. Unique for a small boat, under the tent there is a full length double berth forward at seat level and a sitting area in the aft part of the cockpit. The berth is formed by using filler bunk boards in between the two rowing thwarts. Foam camping pads, or a combination of cockpit cushions and a middle camping pad, provide sleeping comfort.

The cockpit seating converts into a full-size sleeping platform for two adults, providing a comfortable overnight setup when combined with the optional camping tent.

Yes. While our optional camping tent provides full weather protection for the whole cockpit, in fair weather you can sleep aboard without the tent, or use a small readily available pop-up tent placed on top of the bed platform.

Yes. Another feature unique to a NorseBoat is the optional bimini that provides shade and sun protection while sailing, motoring, or relaxing at anchor during the day.

Absolutely. The shallow draft allows the boat to be easily beached, making it simple to camp ashore or step directly onto a beach from the boat.

Ownership & Maintenance

Yes. Many NorseBoat models, including the 12.5 and 17.5, are sized to fit in a standard garage, reducing storage costs and simplifying ownership.

For normal use and good tongue weight the overall length of the NorseBoat 17.5 on a trailer is around 21 ft, but it can be as little as 19.5 ft by adjusting the placement of the winch stand on the trailer tongue.

Trailering allows you to explore multiple sailing destinations, avoid marina fees, store your boat at home, and sail new waters whenever the opportunity arises.

No. NorseBoats are built with a durable fiberglass hull and ply/epoxy/glass composite interior and deck, reducing maintenance while maintaining the classic lines of traditional boats.

Absolutely. NorseBoats are popular with sailors seeking a simpler alternative to larger yachts to avoid complex systems and high maintenance costs.

Because boating should be about time on the water, not time in the yard. NorseBoats are designed and built to maximize enjoyment.

Norseboat Model Comparison

Feature / ModelNorseBoat 12.5NorseBoat 17.5 ClassicNorseBoat 21.5 (Cabin & Open)
Best ForSolo sailors, tenders, daysailing, minimalistsAdventurers, couples, weekend cruising, multi-mode explorationCoastal cruising, longer trips, small crews, added comfort
Sailing RigGaff cat rigGaff sloop rigSloop rig
MastPivoting carbon mastPivoting carbon mastPivoting carbon mast
Signature Sail FeatureCurved headboardCurved headboardCurved headboard
HeadsailOptional furling headsailFurling headsailFurling genoa on bowsprit
Rowing AbilityTwo rowing stationsTwo rowing stationsRowable (Open model particularly)
MotoringCompatible with small outboardYesYes
DraftShallowShallow, beachableShallow with ballasted stub keel + centerboard
Sleeping CapacityFull-size double berth (camp-cruising)Sleeps 2 with optional canvas tentSleeps 2–3 (Cabin model)
StorageGood storage for compact sizeAbundant storageLarge cockpit storage + cabin storage
TrailerabilityTowable with small car; fits in garageTowable with mid-size car; fits in garageTowable with mid-size vehicle
Hull StyleTraditional proven hullInnovative, seaworthy NorseBoat hullSmooth bottom, lapstrake topsides
Primary MaterialsComposite hull, carbon mast, Harken hardwareComposite hull, carbon mast, Harken hardwareComposite hull, carbon mast, Harken hardware
Use CasesTender/dinghy, light cruising, rowing & sailingDay sailing, weekend trips, expedition-style exploringCoastal cruising, multi-day adventures, family sailing
Overall PersonalityCompact, capable, ultra-portableVersatile “Swiss Army knife” adventure boatSpacious, powerful, refined long-range cruiser