Four east coast marine companies well known for innovation and quality have recently formed a joint venture. NorseBoat Limited, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, Hallett Canvas & Sails and Fawcett Designs are now collaborating to market, build and outfit the NorseBoat line of small craft.
The NorseBoat line includes the NorseBoat 12.5 and 17.5 Sailing & Rowing boats and the NorseBoat 21.5 Cabin and Open models. NorseBoats are versatile daysailers and camp cruisers with classic lines and high performance. They have lightweight carbon masts, fully battened mainsails and shallow draft, and are easily rigged and trailered.
In the joint venture NorseBoat oversees product development and directs the sales and marketing effort from their head office in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Lyman-Morse builds composite parts and completed NorseBoats at their facility in Thomaston, Maine. Hallett Canvas & Sails outfits the boats with carbon rigs, sails, canvas and cushions from their shop in Falmouth, Maine. Sean Fawcett oversees design considerations from Cape Elizabeth, Maine. NorseBoat 12.5 and 17.5 models for the Canadian and European markets are finished off at NorseBoat's facility in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
Lyman-Morse, with a wealth of boatbuilding experience and extensive facilities, offers increased build efficiency and a high level of fit and finish. Richard Hallett, an experienced racing sailor, will focus on sailing performance and making components more standardized and cost effective. Sean Fawcett brings abundant sailing and design experience to the joint venture. NorseBoat founder Kevin Jeffrey continues to provide the vision for versatile small craft with the reputation of "the Swiss army knife of boats".
To complement the existing line of NorseBoats, the joint venture intends to develop new models, including a ballasted sailing-only version of the NorseBoat 17.5 similar in concept to the 21.5 Open Alden Rowing will also be working with NorseBoat to create a line of recreational rowers using seaworthy NorseBoat 12.5 and 17.5 hulls.
NorseBoat Limited has been developing innovative trailerable boats and an international community of owners and enthusiasts since 2004. Their concept is simple: seaworthy sailing and rowing boats that blend classic styling with modern components and performance. www.norseboat.com
Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, based in Thomaston, Maine, produces exceptional custom, semi-custom and production sailing and motor yachts for world-class naval architects and discriminating owners. A family-run business specializing in fiberglass, advanced composites and aluminum, Lyman-Morse has built over 100 yachts since its inception in 1978. www.lymanmorse.com
Hallett Canvas and Sails, Inc. founded in Falmouth, Maine specializes in the very best of marine canvas, sails and rigging products. For 27 years Hallett Canvas & Sails has been meeting the individual needs of their clients, ensuring complete satisfaction, comfort, and confidence. www.hallettcanvasandsails.com
Sean Fawcett has more than twenty-five years as a designer and CAD industry expert, and is a veteran of three America's Cup campaigns, including the successful 1987 Stars and Stripes challenge. www.fawcettdesigns.com
