NorseBoat FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Design & Construction
What are the different construction material options?
Does the boat have a warranty?
How does a NorseBoat compare with other similar boats?
What kind of keel protection is there?
Are the cockpit hatches watertight?
Do the hatches have locks?
Is it necessary to apply bottom paint if the boat is left in the water?
What is the length of the boat with the bowsprit?

Boat Performance
How tippy is the boat?
What is speed through the water at 15 knots?
When do you start reducing sail?
How do you tie off the rudder when motoring?
What is the maximum speed when motoring?

Rigging & Sails
How do you rig the sailing kit?
How is the mast put up and down?
What is combined weight of mast, sail and all rigging?
How long is each mast segment?
What height is the mast with just lower segment up?
Can mast joints be tough to pull apart?
Is there maintenance on the carbon fiber mast and boom?
What is difference between wood boom and carbon choice?
Why not offer a carbon fiber gaff?
How does the mainsail cover fit over the sail?
Does the screecher fit into the sailbag?
Is the jib self-tacking?

Payment & Shipping
How is payment made?
Are there duty and import costs on boats shipped to the US?
How do you convert USD to other currencies?
How are boats shipped to the European market?
How is European documentation handled?

Trailering
What is size of the boat with trailer (to fit in garage)?
How big a car can tow the boat?
Is it necessary to buy the trailer?
What type of trailer comes with the NorseBoat?
Is it hard to line the boat up with the trailer when taking it out of the water?

General Options
Can the tent be set up from inside the boat?

Motor & Electrical Options
How does motor mount attach?
What does the electric engine option include?
What does the electrical package include?

Optional Installations
Can the boat be fitted out with sliding seats for rowing?
Is it possible to install lifting cleats for davits?
Where can you install a compass?
Is it possible to mount a depth sounder?

Boat Uses
Is it possible to fly fish from a NorseBoat?

Design & Construction

What are the different construction material options?
Infused resin fiberglass on all structural components; infused resin fiberglass hull with mahogany ply/epoxy interior and deck; and all mahogany ply/epoxy and with some solid wood parts.

Does the boat have a warranty?
Three years on hull & deck. One year on components.

How does a NorseBoat 17.5 compare with other similar boats?
Designed by one of N. America's premier yacht designers, the NorseBoat 17.5 includes a number of high quality features like the two-part carbon fiber mast, Harken hardware, fully battened main from North Sails, etc. The boat is also exceptionally versatile and innovative, with nothing but top quality construction in all features and options. Options include a dodger, bimini, bilge pump, tent, various covers, line storage bags, and other features normally associated with larger cruising craft. The NorseBoat offers tremendous value at a reasonable cost when compared to other boats of similar size, versatility and quality.

What kind of keel protection is there?
We now offer an optional aluminum keel strip that can be mounted to the keel during construction.

Are the cockpit hatches watertight?
The four side storage lockers and the aft storage locker all have watertight hatches.

Do the cockpit hatches have locks?
The forward hatch has a lockable hasp.

Is it necessary to apply bottom paint if the boat is left in the water?
Yes. Interlux Tri-Lux II is a bright white paint that will match the white gel coat on the hull. This bottom paint can be applied on the lower lapstrakes that are below waterline, without the need for a painted waterline or bootstripe.

What is the length of the boat with the bowsprit?
Length is 19 feet with bowsprit.

Boat Performance

How tippy is the boat?
The boat is unballasted, but stiff and forgiving. An adult male can stand on the gunwale and not put the whale stripe in the water.

What is speed through the water at 15 knots?
Average speed is 5-7 knots.

When do you start reducing sail?
Start reducing sail at 15 knots.

How do you tie off the rudder when motoring?
The rudder is typically locked midships and the boat steered with the engine. This ensures that the rudder does not come in contact with the prop. The engine can be stored in a padded bag alongside the centerboard trunk, or it can remain on the transom while sailing.

What is the maximum speed when motoring?
Average speed is 5 knots.

Rigging & Sails

How do you rig the sailing kit?
Click here for step by step instructions.

How is the mast put up and down?
The lower section of the mast is installed in the mast step; the wood hoops for boom, mainsail and gaff slide over the top of the lower section of mast; the halyards are run to the upper section of the mast; the upper section of the mast then slides onto the lower section.

What is combined weight of mast, sail and all rigging?
About 25 pounds.

How long is each mast segment?
Lower section: 7'8" Upper section: 10'11-1/2"

What height is the mast with just lower segment up?
About 6'0"

Can mast joints be tough to pull apart?
We haven't experienced a problem. It's a good idea, however, to keep the
mast joint clean and sliding easily.

Is there maintenance on the carbon fiber mast and boom?
If left out in the sun, the carbon fiber spars should be painted or varnished for UV protection.

What is difference between wood boom and carbon choice?
If not painted, the carbon fiber boom requires less maintenance (wood boom will need to be varnished), and weighs about 2 lb. less.

Why not offer a carbon fiber gaff?
Creating a curved carbon fiber spar would be very expensive, and the spruce gaff is quite lightweight.

How does the mainsail cover fit over the sail?
When furling the mainsail, tie it (with battens) up to the underside of the curved gaff with 3 reef ties The mainsail cover goes over the sail and gaff - NOT the boom. When the sail is furled, use the reef line hooked onto the throat halyard as a downhaul to keep all the wood hoops near the base of the mast. The peak halyard raises the furled sail and gaff into an arched position over the dodger, and the mainsheet keeps everything from swinging around.

Does the screecher fit into the sailbag?
Yes. Simply roll and fold the sail with furler into a small bundle which then fits into the sailbag.

Is the jib self-tacking?
No, but it's very easy to handle in all wind strengths.

Payment & Shipping

How is payment made?
Payment must be made by check or bank wire.

Are there duty and import costs on boats shipped to the US?
The import customs broker fee is around US$150. There is no duty due to NAFTA. If picking up the boat themselves in Canada, US customers should register the trailer and get a license plate before coming to Canada. They can do this with the paperwork we send them prior to delivery. The boat can then be registered once it is home.

How do you convert USD to other currencies?
Go to www.xe.com for a universal currency converter. Enter in the desired conversion from USD to your currency to get the current rate of exchange.

How are boats shipped to the European market?
Boats are shipped mounted on cradles and set in containers (2 boats to a 20 ft. container, 4 boats to a 40 ft. container). Customers in the UK and Europe need to purchase a trailer locally.

How is European documentation handled?
We will provide Manufacturer's Statement of Origin and Bill of Sale for tax and registration purposes. A customer should be able to research the necessary paperwork and import process on the European end of things in order to purchase the boat directly.

Trailering

What is size of the boat with trailer (to fit in garage)?
Height of the boat when on the trailer is 56 inches. Length is 20 feet. Width is the same as the boat alone (5'3")

How big a car can tow the boat?
The approximate tow weight of the boat plus trailer is 800 lb., well within the limits of almost any car.

Is it necessary to buy the trailer?
The NorseBoat is usually shipped on a trailer, although some boats are delivered in a rack on another NorseBoat. In this case a trailer can be drop-shipped to the owner.

What type of trailer comes with the NorseBoat?
We currently use an EZ Loader galv. trailer model EZ-Loader 1214-1225G.

Is it hard to line the boat up with the trailer when taking it out of the water?
Most customers have no trouble getting the boat lined up with the keel roller and bunks. Guides can always be purchased or installed by the owner.

General Options

Can the tent be set up from inside the boat?
Yes. Here's the set-up:

Zip forward edge of main tent section to the aft zipper on the dodger.
Zip the aft edge of the main tent section to the forward zipper on the bimini.
Snap the bottom edge of the tent to the male snaps on the outside of the coaming.
Insert the batten hoop in the centre of the tent (goes on the inside).
Zip on the port and starboard side curtains to the zippers on the sides and aft edge of the bimini.
Zip on the side curtains to the main tent section port and starboard.
Snap the bottom edge of the side curtains onto the snaps on the coaming.

Motor & Electrical Options

How does motor mount attach?
There is a polished stainless steel plate on the forward side of the transom lip, and a wood plate on the aft side. Both are mounted with screws and adhesive.

What does the electric engine option include?
We now offer the Torqueedo Travel 801L Foldable Electric Outboard motor as an option for the NorseBoat. The battery is mounted on the top of the unit so there are no exposed wires. Run time per battery charge is approximately 1 hour at normal speeds.

What does the electrical package include?
The electrical package option consists of a 12V gel battery mounted in the forward compartment, a solar charger with control, LED running lights, a 3-circuit waterproof panel, and a 12VDC outlet for accessories.

Optional Installations

Can the boat be fitted out with sliding seats for rowing?
It is possible to configure a dual sliding seat unit for efficient rowing. The single rail with seats and footrests is positioned just above the centerboard trunk.

Is it possible to install lifting cleats for davits?
We can install four lifting cleats in the deck for lifting the NorseBoat into davits or onto a dock.

Where can you install a compass?
We recommend the Plastimo Iris lighted compass that also serves as a hand bearing compass. The Iris is installed underneath the forward thwart on the port side for best visibility from the helm..

Is it possible to mount a depth sounder?
This can be mounted on the starboard side of the aft locker (the only place the hull skin is accessible from the inside of the boat). Waterflow shouldn't be a problem.

Boat Uses

Is it possible to fly fish from a NorseBoat?
Fly fishing would be great from a NorseBoat. Leave the mast in place with the gaff/mainsail/boom hanging over the thwarts, with the mainsheet clipped onto the bail on the centerboard trunk, or to the screecher block on the side opposite from where someone is casting from. If those fishing would rather take the mast down and stow the rig, it would be relatively easy to do that as well.