Yachting Art Magazine

The History of the Nordkapp Brand - For nearly sixty years, Nordkapp has embodied the Scandinavian spirit of adventure in the world of recreational boating. Founded in a small Norwegian town in the mid-1960s, the brand has established itself as one of the most respected names in European boating. Combining entrepreneurial intuition, industrial boldness and a spectacular revival, the history of Nordkapp reads like a true maritime saga — that of a shipyard that has never stopped looking towards the horizon.

Nordkapp: the origins of a maritime ambition

The story begins in October 1966, when the Nordkapp brand was officially registered by the Norwegian company Nordsjøplast AS, led by entrepreneur Godberg Larsen. The name chosen was no accident: it was inspired by a cliff on a local island, evoking both the ruggedness and beauty of the Nordic landscapes.

Very quickly, Larsen enlisted the help of naval designer Otto Scheen, a rising star in Scandinavian nautical architecture. Their ambition was clear: to design modern, elegant pleasure boats capable of tackling the sometimes challenging waters of the North Sea.

In the very first year, three models were launched: Speed 14, Sport 16 and King 17. The latter was available in both a day cruiser and a hard-top version, an innovation that immediately appealed to sailing enthusiasts. The lines were sleek, the design modern, and the hulls offered remarkable seaworthiness. All these elements quickly built the reputation of the young brand.

The golden years of the Nordkapp shipyard

Success was immediate. Just a few years after its creation, Nordkapp experienced spectacular growth. The arrival of the King 22 DC marked a real turning point: this model was a resounding commercial success and propelled the brand to the forefront of the Scandinavian boating scene.

The shipyard’s small slipway soon became a hive of activity. Production soon reached 1,000 boats a year, a remarkable figure for the time.

Between 1966 and 1973, several models became iconic. Among them were the Comtesse 20, appreciated for its comfort and elegance, and the Crown 36, a 36-foot sailing yacht that demonstrated the shipyard’s technical ambition.

Nordkapp quickly became one of Scandinavia’s leading manufacturers of pleasure boats. The vessels were exported beyond Norway’s borders: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland and Austria in turn discovered these boats with their elegant lines and remarkable seaworthiness.

The specialist press was quick to celebrate this success. Journalists often highlighted two fundamental qualities: a modern design and exceptional seaworthiness. Two characteristics that became the brand’s hallmark.

The economic storm of the 1970s

But industrial history, like sailing, sometimes encounters rough waters.

In 1973, the oil crisis hit the global economy hard. The recreational boating market slowed down sharply and the marine industry felt the consequences.

Nordkapp did not escape this economic storm. The brand was eventually sold to the Alicraft shipyard, based in Arendal, Norway. Production continued for a few more years, but volumes gradually declined.

Throughout the 1980s, the situation deteriorated. In 1986, Alicraft went bankrupt and production of Nordkapp boats ceased completely.

After two decades of success and innovation, the adventure seemed to be coming to an end. Yet this was only the beginning of a new chapter....

The rebirth of a nautical icon

In 1990, a Norwegian entrepreneur, Ronny Antonsen, bought the rights to the Nordkapp brand. Convinced of the untapped potential of this name steeped in history, he decided to relaunch production under a new structure: Nordkapp Boats AS.

To bring this revival to life, Antonsen enlisted the help of designer Espen Thorup. Together, they reconnected with the brand’s original DNA whilst looking resolutely to the future.

In a powerful symbolic gesture, Otto Scheen — the original designer — also joined the project. This intergenerational collaboration led to the creation of the Premiere 730, launched in 1993.

Success was assured. Throughout the 1990s, the range expanded with several landmark models: Vitesse, Comtesse, as well as the first versions of the Enduro and Avant series, which would become mainstays of the Nordkapp catalogue for several decades.

The Avant 490, Avant 590 and Enduro 590 models, in particular, paved the way for a new generation of leisure boats, combining sportiness, comfort and functionality.

International expansion

In the late 1990s, Nordkapp took a new strategic step. In 1999, the brand established an industrial partnership with Mirage Boats, a factory based in Augustów, Poland. This collaboration enabled the brand to increase its production capacity whilst supporting its international expansion.

At the same time, Nordkapp formed a partnership with the engine manufacturer Evinrude, ensuring that all new models were fitted with high-performance, reliable engines.

In the early 2000s, the Avant and Enduro series underwent a major restyling. The lines became sharper, the hulls adopted more aggressive V-shaped forms, and the entire range took on a more modern look.

In 2005, Nordkapp launched the Noblesse 760, a model that quickly became a best-seller and symbolised the shipyard’s new stylistic identity.

Innovation as a driving force

Over the years, Nordkapp has established itself as one of the most innovative players in the European pleasure craft sector.

In 2011, the Enduro 760 redefined the concept of the centre console boat. Its design combines the sporty performance of a centre console with the comfort of a day cruiser: a spacious cabin, sink, fresh water tank and toilet.

Three years later, the Enduro 605 won the prestigious European Powerboat of the Year award, praised for its design, dynamic handling and ingenious solutions.

The brand continued its rise with new models, notably the Noblesse 660 in 2018, which also received the same award.

A new chapter in the company’s history

In 2019, Nordkapp entered a new phase of development. The Bergen-based company Frydenbø Marine acquired 80% of the brand’s capital as well as a significant stake in the Polish factory.

This strategic move aims to support the company’s growth and strengthen its industrial capabilities. As Ronny Antonsen explains in the Norwegian business press, joining a larger group is essential for continued expansion.

Production now stands at 1,200 boats a year, distributed across 17 European countries.

Nordkapp today: the pioneering spirit

Today, Nordkapp remains true to the spirit that guided its creation: pushing the boundaries of nautical design and offering boaters ever more ambitious experiences.

The brand has recently launched several innovative ranges, including the Airborne series, introducing RIB-style boats to its catalogue for the first time. The Airborne 8 model is even used as a tender by the superyacht M/Y Victorious.

The Gran Coupe 905, the shipyard’s current flagship, embodies this drive for innovation. A version fitted with the 600-horsepower Mercury V12 Verado engine has even been developed, requiring specific reinforcement of the hull to absorb the engine’s exceptional power.

The latest example of creativity: an Enduro 805 Wakesurf Edition, designed in collaboration with Norwegian athlete Helene Olafsen, capable of transforming into a wakesurf boat in a matter of seconds.

Nearly six decades after its inception, Nordkapp continues to write its story — a story of design, a passion for the sea and a certain vision of Nordic freedom.

And like any good sea voyage, the adventure is far from over.