Restaurering

Flirt IV was restored at Sollerud Kystkultursenter with some of Norway’s foremost boat builders. The plan was to spend 2 years, it  took 12 years in all, albeit with a few breaks. Virtually all the old was replaced with new. The whole process was permeated by an outstanding thoroughness and quality in all stages. All the materials used were the absolute best that could be obtained.

As the center had its own blacksmith, all of the metal parts that were to be used were made of acid-resistant forged steel. Keel bolts were made on site from the best quality titanium, this because titanium is bone hard and has extreme durability. All mahogany that was used in the hull and interior came from one and the same log and is unusually densely grown. These are woods that simply cannot be obtained today. The frames were made of hand-picked hook-grown oak and reinforced with forged acid-resistant steel around the mast. The wooden keel is in solid oak. All bottom logs are made of acid-resistant steel. The lead keel is original, weighs a few tons, and is fastened with strong bolts of titanium for infinite durability. The freeboard is in lacquered mahogany above the waterline, below the waterline Siberian Larch is used for maximum durability over time. 

The deck is made according to modern methods to avoid leaks, as well as to give the boat strength and rigidity which is important for efficient sailing in high winds and high seas. First there are poles, next waterproof boards, then teak poles on top glued with Sikaflex to avoid screws. 

During careful restoration, the frame was removed and a new one was made and adapted one by one. The same comprehensive process was used for the planks on the hull. Each part was made and meticulously adapted to perfection. In order to maintain the original shape of the hull, this meticulous process is important and necessary, but very extensive and time consuming. 

The end result is a boat that is stronger and more solid than any other classic sailboat. This means that the boat can sail hard even in high winds and high seas. 

The boat had a Bermuda rig when we took over, it has previously had a fork rig and bow spear. Throughout its long life, the boat has had four different rigs with divergent sailing guidance. The boat got a completely new rig and new sails in 2014. The mast and boom were made in England by the renowned mast builder Collars. The mast is built of North American Sitka Gran. All fasteners in the mast are made of acid-resistant steel by the blacksmith Gustav Sletsjøe, super light and strong. 

The standing rig is made by sailmaker and engineer Marius Borg. Marius has also delivered the sails which are completely white, but have a modern cut with elements of Kevlar. The sails were designed by R Bouizaid and Marius Borg jointly. They are extremely efficient, strong and fast. All ropes are in the highest quality Dyneema which does not stretch, at the same time as it is stronger than steel. 

A new engine was installed in 2014 and is a modern freshwater-cooled Yanmar of 28 hp. The boat has a four-blade MaxProp propeller that straightens while sailing for minimal resistance in the water. 

Long story short: Everything has been changed to new except the lead keel, some wood in the stern, and some fittings between deck and hull. The boat was launched in 2008 after 12 years of restoration. The engine was replaced in 2014. Standing and running rigs were replaced in 2014. 

The cost of the restoration is approaching ten million kroner, and considering the quality and everything that has been done, it must be said to be very reasonable. This was made possible through an agreement with Sollerud coastal culture center where apprentices were allowed to participate in restorations chosen, and that I was involved in starting the project. The owner of the renowned Walstedts Baadeværft in Denmark inspected Flirt before it was launched in 2008, and his comment was that this was done with a thoroughness that exceeded or was completely on a par with the standard they delivered.