Low-powered, double-ended launches called snekker are ubiquitous along the coast of Norway, but rather exotic in New Hampshire, where Andrew Wallace’s Traditional Boatworks builds these boats.
The soul of the Viking ship lives on, and on, and on, proof that it’s worth sticking with a winning formula. The graceful indigenous lapstrake craft of Scandinavia have metamorphosed into a variety of shapes and types, but the strong sheer, pointed bow and stern, and lapped planks of the boats that raided and traded throughout Europe persist, a thousand years on.Boatbuilder Andrew Wallace can claim real Norse genes. His mother was born in Oslo and he spent childhood summers at the family’s place in Grimstad, on Norway’s southeastern Baltic coast. Unsure how to contain the boy’s energy, his mother placed him in the care of an elderly local fisherman. Man and boy headed out into the island-dotted strait called the Skagerrak every morning, no matter what the weather. There’d be a breakfast of sardines and jam on bread, then a day of longline fishing for mackerel or cod. They would land cod as large as the eight-year-old Andrew. As the years passed he was trusted with more and more of the fishing and boat handling.
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Comments (7)
I really like the boat. What about the foredeck sharp rise? How would anchoring or tying up work?
Would you sell plans?
Kindest regards,
Brian Mosher
Nova Scotia, Canada
Bought a boat that might have been its sister in 1974. Great, reliable and relaxing sea boat until the year I forgot to let it swell up tight before heading down Penobscot Bay. It was kind of amazing how much water can come in the above waterline planking. Wouldn’t mind a new one (or used). What’s the price range?
As I have aged (err, become more experienced), I have adopted the motto “Why go fast when you can go slow” for my boating, bicycling, and motorcycling. Zoom Zoom?…no thanks, this is not work.
Jay Fleming
I really like the boat. What about the foredeck sharp rise? How would anchoring or tying up work?
Would you sell plans?
Kindest regards,
Brian Mosher
Nova Scotia, Canada
Brian, if you’re a good enough boatwright to make that boat: you don’t need plans.
Bought a boat that might have been its sister in 1974. Great, reliable and relaxing sea boat until the year I forgot to let it swell up tight before heading down Penobscot Bay. It was kind of amazing how much water can come in the above waterline planking. Wouldn’t mind a new one (or used). What’s the price range?
Speed is over rated. Slow down and enjoy the journey. This boat is a good example of just that. We need more like it.
I would have loved to see pictures of the interior layout and engine compartment .
As I have aged (err, become more experienced), I have adopted the motto “Why go fast when you can go slow” for my boating, bicycling, and motorcycling. Zoom Zoom?…no thanks, this is not work.
Its drop-dead Gorgeous. Very pleasing to the eye. Yes, an appealing switch from sail to power.