Reviews & Comments

“Very impressed with the boat... Under challenging conditions we never shipped water, despite being off the wind and occasional rolling. Spray hit my crew only fifteen times or so... they were not unduly challenged despite being novice sailors. We had room for our clothes, extra life preservers, cooler, etc. The forepeak stayed dry... The boat was predictable and stable, very seakindly. Took off when I raised the centerboard when appropriate. Doesn't easily maintain a surf (no real flat section aft) but was quick and responsive at all points of sail.”
New NorseBoat owner P. McLean, Media, PA

“Once again, thank you very much for conceiving such a fine vessel. I look forward to enjoying many more NorseBoat experiences with family and friends.”
NorseBoat owner D. Gutowski, Mandeville, LA

"The boat was remarkable, fast and with excellent
secondary stability. I was impressed." 
-Brett S., San Francisco, CA

"....the NorseBoat 17.5, a daysailor whose simplicity, performance, and traditional good looks add up to simple pleasure. This boat is versatile and fun. For dreams alone we recommend the NorseBoat."
-Practical Sailor "Gear of the Year-Top Products of 2005" issue.

"And the superlatives just keep coming.  She rows like a dream, sails even better.  Not tender, feels so 'solid', very forgiving, amazingly dry, doesn't pound in the horrible slop lake Ontario generates.  Overall 10++ on a scale of 1-10.  Thanks again for a wonderful experience."
-Lee Doran, Ontario (Hull #18)

"Though reasonably priced, the NorseBoat is strictly high-end."
-SAIL Magazine, April 2005

"The carefully crafted curved gaff transforms the traditional-looking
mainsail into a modern full-batten fat-roach blade."
-SAIL Magazine, April 2005

"...the helm is forgiving and the boat is easily single-handed."
-SAIL Magazine, April 2005

"The NorseBoat is the first boat my wife and I have ever agreed on"
"This is the prettiet boat in the show"
(heard from dozens of people passing by our exhibit!)

"Every now and then along comes a new centerboard design that cries to be sailed, rowed, used as a camper, or just to be looked at and admired. Such a sweet vessel is the 17'6" lapstrake NorseBoat Explorer."
-Jack Sherwood, Soundings

"...sexy looking with a sweet sheerline and a shapely bow profile."
"...I can be confident that Chuck Paine has given this boat a shape and a rig that will take it to weather in a dignified and efficient manner."
"Reaching along in the NorseBoat with the screecher up would be a blast. Just think how smug you could feel as you blow by the bigger cruising boats."
"...all you have to do is look at the number of voyaging style kayaks sold today to understand that there is a market for this type of boat...I can think of no finer boat for the job than the NorseBoat. If you have no intention of camp-cruising but are looking for a distinct and yare (managable and manueverable) daysailer I would also recommend the NorseBoat."
(above four quotes) -Robert Perry, naval architect

"Under sail or oar power, the NorseBoat is a fun boat for beach camping or pillaging."
-Sailing Magazine

"I have been on the lookout for a new boat since the start of this season and nothing has excited me as much as your new NorseBoat"
- D. Shannon, UK

"I am a dealer for modern sailing cruisers, but I love classic boats and dinghies. I feel there is good market potential for the NorseBoat in Japan."
-N. Kobayashi, Japan

"Open boat cruising has long been popular in Europe, especially Britain, and on this side of the pond it is a concept whose time has come."

"The NorseBoat is a logical step up from a sea kayak. It is safer on the open water, large enough to sleep aboard, more comfortable than the average tent and is still capable of entering the smallest coves and inlets."

"Unlike a wooden boat, the epoxy/fiberglass hull of the NorseBoat can be stored for extended periods on a trailer without fear of drying out."
(above 3 quotes) -Glen Cairns, North Atlantic Yachts, quoted from Atlantic Boating News

"The line drawing (of the Chuck Paine designed NorseBoat) takes our breath away. She looks both beautiful and versatile."
- Small Craft Advisor

"For the past two years, I've carried on a love affair with my Montgomery 17, but I'm afraid I've been very distracted lately by the NorseBoat."
-Craig H., Michigan

"I have Viking blood in my veins and this boat really gets it stirring."
-Steve Isaac, WaterTribe

"Inspired by nineteenth-century fishing skiffs, the NorseBoat is designed to be a seaworthy and trailerable coastal explorer."
- SAIL Magazine