Projects: Boatbuilding in Oslo

Tucked away in the city of Oslo, Norway, Sollerud Båtbyggeri & Slipp has an interesting origin story. Formed in 2011 from the merger of two respected firms, this company has quickly made a name for itself in the boatbuilding world.

The business offers a full suite of services, from building and storing boats to launching them. Their workshop is ideal for any boat enthusiast, packed with advanced woodworking machinery, a dedicated paint room, and all the mechanical and metalworking tools you could imagine.

What really sets Sollerud Båtbyggeri & Slipp apart is their incredible versatility. They handle everything. Small wooden rowing boats, large steam sailing ships and more.

a wooden boat built with west system epoxy

Common Projects and Restoration Processes

“The most common projects are repairs and maintenance of wooden sail or engine-powered vessels between 20 and 50 feet. From the early years of the company, we have also fully restored a few classic sailing yachts, cabin cruisers, and Norwegian clinker-built boats. These restorations contains many different processes such as:

• Repairing/rebuilding the hull and deck

• Installing engine, plumbing, and electrical power etc.

• Interior work, joinery and cabinet making.

• Paint and varnish.”

But it doesn’t stop there. Sollerud Båtbyggeri & Slipp also excels in composite work. They’re particularly skilled in fibreglass and gelcoat repairs on hulls. They ensure that every boat they work on is not only durable but also looks fantastic. In addition to this they can design custom-made parts to meet the specific needs of each project.

The team is currently in the planning stages for their upcoming winter projects and has not yet commenced the larger tasks. However, they are working on several notable projects, including a custom-built carbon fibre bowsprit, deck and cabin repairs on a “Storö 38”, and a new deck on a 10m classic sailing yacht. The latter project involves constructing a modern deck structure from two layers of plywood, bonded with WEST SYSTEM Epoxy, and finished with a layer of teak.

Materials and Techniques

The team works with a variety of materials and adhesives. In their woodworking projects, they often select premium woods like oak, mahogany, teak, and Norwegian pine, each adding its own unique charm. On the composite side, they explore different types of fibreglass and carbon fibre. To ensure the highest quality and precision, they also use vacuum techniques in some of their composite work.

The Team Behind the Craft

“As a boatbuilder, you need to know a bit about everything and possess various practical skills. It can be challenging to master all the different tasks, as we rarely perform the exact same process twice.

I would say that our crew of 9 people brings a diverse range of knowledge and experience, which enables us to tackle challenging projects with ease. We are also keen to learn from one another and strive to make each process as efficient as possible, without compromising the quality of the final result.” – Erik Lund

Advice for Aspiring Boatbuilders

When asked what advice they would give, they stated they always make thorough preparations for the entire process, which will alleviate stress. Plus, they emphasised the importance of never forgetting to use proper safety equipment.