The Oselvar boat is clinker-built (hull planks overlap and are riveted together) using thin, very wide planks. Firstly, the planks are assembled between the stem, sternpost and the keel, then the rib is inserted. A four-oared boat has three plank heights on each side. The timber used is pine. Oak is used for the keel, lot, stem, sternpost and oarlocks.
Clinker building is a construction technique that goes back to the 4th century in Norway. Viking ships were built the same way and some small boats from this time look very similar to the Oselvar.
Boat builders have remained loyal to traditional building techniques and the boat has probably not changed form since before the 1600s, when written sources first described the boat.
Oselvar boats are built in different sizes between 5-10 meters in length. They are made for a wide variety of purposes, for example racing, freighting or fishing. In accordance with the tradition each boat is individually designed and tailored for each customer.
The boat-builders engage in all parts of the 500-600 working hour process building a new boat: dialogue with forest owners, inspection, cutting, transport, processing and storing of materials, dialogue with customers, planning of the building, purchasing nails, screws, fittings, tools and varnishes, building the boat, varnishing, rigging and mounting of fittings, thorough plenary review and assessment of each boat and testing together with the customer.
