The Versatile Snekke

摘要

Several years ago, a Norwegian friend seemed somewhat bemused by the idea of WoodenBoat wanting to publish an article on the snekke-Norway's double-ended motor launch. The boats were everywhere, he said. What was so special about them? I first encountered snekker (the Norwegian plural of snekke) on a visit to Norway in 1993, and on several subsequent visits have become increasingly enthralled with them. They average about 20' in length, varying by a few feet in either direction. They are simple, shapely, open boats with slow-turning engines and a variety of configurations. Some are entirely open; some have windshields; some have side decks and some don't. Others have small cabins and accommodations for short cruises. A quick search of the Internet reveals that the type has been further adapted for fiberglass production in larger cabin-cruiser-style boats. Other snekke-style production boats have been made to go much faster than a snekke was ever intended to.