Even the king had to ration his fuel
Celebrating 60 years of Nordkapp: Pioneer years and the dark ages (1966-1986)
- With insights from former Nordkapp Sales Manager, Roar Antonsen.
Glomma, Norway's largest river, flows across the rugged landscape. It’s October 1966, and the rhythmic clang and whir of machinery echoes across the water from a small nearby factory. Europe is in a period of economic growth, and here in Sarpsborg, the first hulls of Nordkapp Boats take shape.
The seas in these parts of Norway are known for their contrasts: rough, shifting conditions alongside calm summer days. This environment shaped the way Nordkapp boats were built from the start.
Functionality, alongside sporty handling, seaworthiness and predictable hull behaviour became guiding principles. Well-thought-out strakes created lift, while a pronounced chine delivered stability and control. The result was a boat that felt safe and balanced, even when conditions changed.
Scandinavian design
Alongside the development of iconic hulls, Scandinavian design becomes an important focus. Over the past 60 years, natural materials have played a key role in the interiors, while colour palettes have adapted to the trends of each period.
Nordkapp on the rise
Production expanded. Buyers were drawn to the combination of Scandinavian quality, performance and social status the boats offered.
The new colour range introduced in 1971 was seen as a radical innovation in the industry, and by this time, Nordkapp had grown from a small Norwegian startup into a recognised brand.
Key milestones in the pioneer years
- 1966 – Nordsjøplast is founded by Godberg Larsen in Sarpsborg. Production starts in Alvim.
- 1967 – Rapid growth leads to a move from Alvim to larger facilities in Sundløkka, Sarpsborg.
- 1968 – Ownership transfers to Rørprodukter AS. The focus shifts towards more structured, efficient production.
- 1970 – Nordkapp is sold to shipowner Moltzau.
- 1970–1971 - Roar Antonsen is appointed sales manager. New marketing strategies are introduced, export activity increases, and Nordkapp begins targeting markets beyond Scandinavia, including the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland.
- 1971 – A major visual update is launched at the Sjøen for Alle boat show in Oslo, featuring new colours and equipment, positioning Nordkapp as a modern, forward-looking brand.
- Late 1971 – Nordsjøplast and Nordkapp are sold to Alicraft and Odd Simonsen. The company relocates from Sarpsborg to Arendal.
Product portfolio in the pioneer years
- Nordkapp Speed 14
- Nordkapp 16 Sport
- Nordkapp 17 Prince DC/HT – inboard and outboard
- Nordkapp 20 Comtesse – inboard
- Nordkapp 22 King DC/HT – inboard
The iconic Nordkapp King was the flagship model in the early days.
Icons disappear from the Nordkapp lineup
In 1972, shortly after Odd Simonsen and Alicraft acquired Nordkapp, a relocation from Sarpsborg to Arendal began.
At this time, buyer behaviour was changing, and the demand for larger, safer, and more comfortable boats grew. Alicraft identified the Comtesse and King DC as the models with the strongest future potential. The 20 Comtesse was positioned to compete with boats such as the Draco 2000, and production started at Alicraft’s factory in Arendal.
“As a result, several iconic models disappeared from the portfolio. The popular Prince 17 was among them,” says Roar Antonsen. The relocation also led to many employees leaving the company, including Roar himself, who was the sales manager at the time.
The winds of change had begun, carrying with them whispers of uncertainty.
Entering the dark ages: The oil crisis and its impact
It is now 1973. Oil prices rise by 300 percent. Petrol rationing is introduced in several markets. Motorboat and car use is restricted, and many countries are entering recession. As fuel prices climb, boat sales fall sharply.
Nordkapp, now part of Alicraft, faces an increasingly difficult market. Even established Norwegian boatbuilders, like Fjord, struggle as purchasing power weakens.
“During this period, Nordkapp is represented mainly by the King DC and Comtesse, alongside nine other Alicraft models. The Nordkapp hulls, designed by Otto Scheen, stood out for their performance and distinctive characters. These became two of the most popular boats in Alicraft’s range,” shares Roar Antonsen.
“The king taking the tram.” In 1973, Norway banned private car use on weekends due to petrol rationing. Even King Olav is seen using public transportation on a ski trip outside of Oslo. Photo credit: Jan A. Martinsen / Aftenposten / NTB
The collapse of an industry
Towards the end of the 1970s and throughout the 1980s, new challenges followed. As interest rates rose sharply, borrowing costs increased for businesses and consumers alike, putting mounting financial pressure on both. These financial burdens led to a spate of bankruptcies across industries. The leisure boats sector was hit particularly hard.
One by one, Norwegian boat brands disappeared from the market. Alicraft and Nordkapp stood resiliant, but eventually the day came. It was 1986, and overwhelmed by financial strains, operations came to a halt, and the rhythmic sounds of labour inside the factory turned silent.
The workers laid down their tools, hulls left unfinished on the factory floor. It marked the end of a 20-year journey characterised by rapid growth and hard setbacks.
While the company itself drowned in the stormy seas of the boating market, the well-crafted boats remained calmly resting on the surface, awaiting a new captain.
Four years later, Roar Antonsen and his son Ronny, along with designers Otto Scheen and Espen Thorup, stepped aboard the Nordkapp Boats and set their sights beyond the horizon.
Part two coming soon.
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