Owning the iconic Nordkapp Vitesse 850

In the quaint coastal town of Kristiansand, Norway, we find Amund Kjelland, a man whose life has been intertwined with the sea since childhood. At the age of six, he learnt to drive the family's dinghy, and by the age of 10, he owned his first boat: a 320 Dromedille with a 9.9 hp Suzuki engine and a steering console.

As the years went by, Amund's boating experiences evolved. What started as family vacations soon turned into thrilling adventures with friends. The boats changed, but the joy of being out on the water remained constant. And then, after many boats and countless memories, Amund finally found himself at the helm of his dream boat: the Nordkapp Vitesse 850.

When did you first discover the Vitesse 850, Amund?

"I saw a brochure for the Vitesse 850 not long after it was launched, and I thought it was one of the most beautiful boats I had ever seen. My budget was nowhere near enough to afford such a purchase at the time, but I decided I would one day get one."

About the iconic Nordkapp Vitesse 850

The Vitesse 850 is an 8-metre daycruiser that became Nordkapp's flagship model during the 2000s. It was an expansion of the predecessor Vitesse 830, which had an inboard Volvo Penta engine. However, as Volvo created a heavier engine, the boat needed a new hull to handle the extra weight. Along with a facelift, the Vitesse 850 was born.

From 2008 to 2014, Nordkapp produced 35 of these boats. The boats were delivered to customers in Norway and Sweden with engines from Volvo, Mercruiser, and Yanmar, ranging from 270 to 370 hp. To this day, The Vitesse 850 remains one of the most beloved vessels among Nordkapp enthusiasts.

What do you love most about your Vitesse 850?

"There's a long list! It has all imaginable equipment, comfortable seats for the captain and passengers, and protection from wind and spray. The boat's sea handling is fantastic. Despite its age, it still has solutions that can compete with most new boats. The canopy system, for example, which is a challenge on many boats, is brilliant on the Vitesse.

"The 850 Vitesse is, in my view, the perfect sports cruiser with an excellent balance between design and functionality. I have never encountered the same type of vessel on the sea or in the marina, which I like. I get a lot of looks when I'm out with the boat.”

Tell us about your experience of buying a Vitesse 850?

"I bought the boat in 2021 after searching for the right one for a few years. Nordkapp only produced a few of these boats, and it's rare to find one for sale. Most have a Volvo Penta D4 engine, but when this boat came up with a Volvo Penta D6, I knew it was mine. The boat also had all available extras and several upgrades, which confirmed it was the right choice for me."

Tell us about the performance of your D6 engine?

"The Volvo Penta D6 is a powerful 5.5-litre turbo diesel engine producing 330 hp, paired with a DPH sterndrive with duo prop. The maximum RPM is 3600, giving the boat a top speed of over 40 knots. The engine has a fantastic sound and enormous torque, making the boat incredibly fun to drive. It's very economical in fuel consumption; at cruising speed, it uses significantly less fuel than equivalent outboard engines, and the cost of tax-free diesel is also much lower than petrol, making the running costs very manageable."

What's it like driving the Vitesse 850?

"The 850 Vitesse is a heavy and stable boat, weighing around 3.5 tonnes, making it feel secure and stable in the sea under all conditions. At the same time, it is sporty and playful on the water, providing an overall excellent experience.

"I've driven many different boats, and how the Vitesse handles all types of waves is very impressive. No matter the sea conditions, it provides a smooth ride for everyone on board. The build quality is evident as there are no rattles or noises, even after several years."

What work have you done on your boat?

"I've always been interested in boats and engines and like to do most of the work myself. I leave the larger projects to the experts, but I do all the service and maintenance, taking the time to do it thoroughly and always using original parts. I believe it's an advantage to do most of the work myself, as it helps me become familiar with both the boat and the engine, giving me a better chance of resolving any issues that may arise at sea.

“When I bought the boat, it had been through a few summers. To avoid future problems, I decided to do a proper overhaul of the engine and sterndrive from the start.

"In collaboration with Kristiansand Båt & Motor, a local Volvo Penta expert, the engine was taken out and inspected thoroughly. They handled the major tasks that required special tools and expertise; after that, I took the engine home and spent some time in the autumn going through, overhauling, and replacing several components. I also cleaned and painted the engine and engine room to ensure everything looked good. This helps in detecting any new problems as it's easier to spot leaks when everything is clean and tidy."

What's your typical day at sea?

"We are fortunate to live very close to the sea, by a river in Kristiansand, and have the boat nearby, and we can keep an eye on it from our living room window. A typical day before and after holidays involves jumping in the boat after work and heading to an island in the beautiful Kristiansand archipelago, often with some food to grill and cold drinks to enjoy a few hours of relaxation.

“During holidays and weekends, we love to take longer trips, such as to Lillesand, Søgne, or Mandal for lunch, or find a nice bay to stay for a day or two. We sleep well on the boat and love waking up early on a beautiful summer day, brewing coffee and frying eggs for breakfast."

How has the Vitesse 850 enhanced your lifestyle?

"I can't imagine a summer without spending much of it on the sea. With the Vitesse, I have my dream boat, which I am very proud of and look forward to every single trip, short or long. I am also lucky to have a wife who shares my passion for the sea and boating, and we take every opportunity to go out. Our dog, Aluna, loves being on the boat, as does our youngest daughter, Karoline. Our eldest, Adrian, has moved away to study but enjoys borrowing the boat to take his friends out when he comes home to visit in the summer.”

What's your most memorable moment yet aboard the boat?

"The best experience so far in the Vitesse was the day I collected it in Drøbak. I drove alone from Drøbak to Kristiansand on a beautiful late summer day. I was so pleased to finally have the boat I had wanted for so long. It was a fantastic experience to spend several hours on a great trip, getting well acquainted with the vessel."

What's next?

"Apart from a couple of weeks' holiday abroad, I plan to spend as much time as possible on the sea this summer. Every Tuesday during the summer, there are concerts at the fish market in Kristiansand, and we always try to attend some of these. The atmosphere is fantastic, with the harbour filled with boats, good music, and a great vibe. We also plan to take a long weekend trip to Risør to visit friends and spend a few days with them."