Hvalerskøyte – Wooden Boats Forever

Hvaler-skøyte

Boat Type	Hvaler-skøyte/ los-skøyte (Hvaler-boat/ pilot vessel)
Hull Typology	Double ended hull (pointed stern) with characteristic bow profile
Dimensions	L: 7-10 m. B: 2,5-4 m. L/B ≥ 3

Craftsmen & Techniques	The Hvaler boat is the most famous traditional boat of eastern Norway, and the type is named after the Hvaler islands, in the eastern mouth of the Oslo fjord, close to the Swedish border. It was always built with the clinker technique, and early in the 19th century the Hvaler boats vere open (not decked). Like most other traditional Norwegian boats, the Hvaler boat was not built by full time boatbuilders, it was usually a secondary income for farmers and fishermen. The eastern tradition differs from the traditional boats of the west coast in many ways: -The hull is wide in comparison to the length. -The hull is made of oak instead of pine or spruce. -The lap strake planks are fastened to each other with wooden nails (juniper) instead of iron rivets. -The eastern boats usually had a sprit sail rig instead of the square rig, typical for most western traditional boats until late 18th century. (Towards the end of the century the gaff rig became more and more common both in the east and the west.) In general, the Hvaler boat is stronger, more seaworthy and a more specialized sailor compared to the western boat types. The western types were usually built for more protected waters, and qualities like light weight and good rowing abilities were more important. The Hvaler boat was not a good rowing boat, but the strong construction allowed it to be equipped with a deck without big modifications. The deck became usual on the Hvaler boat early in the first half of the 19th century.

Craftsmen & Techniques

The Hvaler boat is the most famous traditional boat of eastern Norway, and the type is named after the Hvaler islands, in the eastern mouth of the Oslo fjord, close to the Swedish border. It was always built with the clinker technique, and early in the 19th century the Hvaler boats vere open (not decked). Like most other traditional Norwegian boats, the Hvaler boat was not built by full time boatbuilders, it was usually a secondary income for farmers and fishermen. The eastern tradition differs from the traditional boats of the west coast in many ways: -The hull is wide in comparison to the length. -The hull is made of oak instead of pine or spruce. -The lap strake planks are fastened to each other with wooden nails (juniper) instead of iron rivets. -The eastern boats usually had a sprit sail rig instead of the square rig, typical for most western traditional boats until late 18th century. (Towards the end of the century the gaff rig became more and more common both in the east and the west.) In general, the Hvaler boat is stronger, more seaworthy and a more specialized sailor compared to the western boat types. The western types were usually built for more protected waters, and qualities like light weight and good rowing abilities were more important. The Hvaler boat was not a good rowing boat, but the strong construction allowed it to be equipped with a deck without big modifications. The deck became usual on the Hvaler boat early in the first half of the 19th century.

Distinctive Features	Sprit sail // Wooden “clench-nails” // Primarily built of oak // Round and wide on deck plane, but quite sharp under the water line // Equipped with a deck from the early 19th century.
Propulsion	Sail, One mast, sprit sail and (usually two) fore sails.

Purpose	Piloting, cargo and different fisheries
Type & Origin of Wood	Lokal oak. Nails of local juniper.
Region & Period	Hvaler islands and other communities by the mouth of the Oslo fjord in Eastern Norway. Period: 1800-1900.
Still constructed?	No. But a reconstruction project is going on at present. The hull is finished the rigging is under production (january 2025).