There is often some sea running, and swells can remain even after the winds have eased. Respect for the conditions, careful planning and exceptionally seaworthy boats are fundamental to staying safe and secure on the water this far north.
We have invested in boats built for these conditions, both for our guests and for those of us who work here. Two of Norway’s most interesting fishing areas are within reach of our camp. Reaching them regularly requires proper boats and the right equipment. We must still show great respect for the prevailing weather conditions.
We renewed the entire rental fleet ahead of the 2024 season. No boat was more than a year old when the season opened. Since then, we have added even more Arronet 23.5 SPT 2 boats because we are extremely satisfied with the model. These boats are thoroughly proven, and we consider them the best boats on the market for this type of fishing.
Our rental boats have 200 hp Yamaha outboards and trim tabs. This combination makes a major difference to handling, rough-water performance and fuel economy compared with smaller engines. The larger engines and trim tabs are a substantial extra investment that sets us apart from many competitors. We are extremely pleased with the result and will always aim to have the finest boats of any comparable fishing camp in Norway.
Equipment fitted to our rental boats
A steering-wheel knob makes the boat much easier to manoeuvre quickly and precisely. It makes an enormous difference when docking in a crosswind, following a running halibut or handling any other situation that demands fast, accurate manoeuvres. Vertical rod racks at the bow and additional transport racks on the roof keep unused rods out of the way while fishing.
Every boat has radar, a powerful searchlight, forward and aft deck lighting and overhead lighting for dawn and dusk. Six angled fishing rod holders on each side keep a rod within immediate reach. Bluetooth speakers are fitted to every boat for anyone who wants music while fishing or travelling.
The throttle’s cruise-control function allows fine adjustment of engine speed. It can also engage and disengage gear automatically, for example with the engine in gear for 10%, 20%, 30% or 40% of the time. This gives precise control over the drift. With a petrol outboard, this is as close as it gets to the control provided by a bow-mounted electric motor. Holding the boat astern into the wind, fine-tuning the engine speed and allowing the gearbox to engage and disengage automatically slows the boat extremely effectively in our conditions. Keeping the line close to vertical is often far more effective than fishing with it streaming away from the boat.
Fish-handling and safety equipment
Each boat carries a pair of halibut landing hooks, an extra-large landing hook for halibut over two metres and a tail rope for handling large halibut. At the camp, we use lifting slings to bring every whole halibut over 120 centimetres aboard. Larger fish may only be brought aboard when a guide is present. A 30-metre fibreglass measuring tape does not rust.
Safety equipment includes the required distress flares, a first-aid kit, a throw line with buoy and light for guided operations, an anchor and anchor line. Other practical details are chosen to make time aboard safer and more comfortable.
Our Arronet 30CC guide boat adds a cabin and a 9.41-metre hull, compared with 7.3 metres for the rental boats. It gives us more options when the sea limits the smaller boats. Every trip still depends on the forecast and the guide’s assessment.