Nordland (boat)

It has dominated the Lofoten and Vesterålen islands fishing industry for centuries and is closely related to the old Viking longships.

It has a high prow and stern, shallow keel, v-hull and has an inboard gunwale, which can be used to drain off the fishing nets when they are drawn on board.

Oak had been a favorite wood for ship builders for centuries for its resistance to rot, strength, and durability.

However, oak is not native to Norway north of the county of Trøndelag and is also a heavy wood which would make such boats difficult to pull up on shore, which was done on a daily basis.

[1] Nordland boats continued to be built for over 1,000 years, and in the early 20th century it was still used for fishing and coastal transport.

Two Nordland boats, the larger one sitting low in the water, loaded with a hold of timber or fish, most likely stockfish. Photo from between 1890 and 1900.
Traditional Norwegian Nordland boat near Kvitvær (Lurøy, Nordland)
The coat-of-arms of Nordland County, Norway is from modern times (1965).