A look inside Nordkapp’s workshop

When an idea strikes, Espen Thorup rolls out a sheet of paper and begins sketching.

Inspiration comes from a lifetime of observing the world through curious eyes, spending time at sea since before he could walk, and watching how families live aboard their boats. Long before the pen touches paper, he's already thinking about how to make life on board better.

This time, it came down to two questions: how to give the Noblesse 830 a hardtop roof, and how to add Nordkapp functionality to it. The result is the Comtesse 830, with an electrically operated sunroof that lets you enjoy the sea on your terms.

Espen’s comtesse heritage

Improving something people already love comes with pressure. But it wasn't the first time Espen was handed a job like this. In the late '90s, he designed the Nordkapp Comtesse 610, a reinterpretation of the 21 Comtesse from the early '70s. The hull stayed the same and Espen sketched out a whole new look above the waterline.

It's only fitting that the newest addition to the Comtesse series is also a redesign, envisioned by the same curious eyes and drawn by the same hand.

Espen, are there any features on the Comtesse 830 we haven't seen on a Nordkapp before?

"Nordkapp has never made a sunroof boat with an open back," Espen says. "These boats used to be hugely popular, and I think it's time for a revival in a modern form."

Tell us about the sunroof. What did you want to achieve, and what was the hardest part?

The starting point, Espen explains, was to build on the Noblesse's deck without changing it. There was no reason to develop a new one when the existing platform works well. That decision brought its own complications.

"With the new roof, we had to carefully calculate the longitudinal weight distribution to ensure the boat didn't get bow-heavy. It took time, many drawings and adjustments. But eventually it clicked, and we found the sweet spot."

The roof runs on an electrically operated soft-top system, which required raising the roofline to fit the motor.

"A soft-top roof is always challenging, and it is important to make the structure rigid and strong. We also had to create a roof with large windows while keeping the window frames as slim as possible.

"Raising the roof 15 centimetres is a lot on a boat this size and a real challenge to pull off. But it works to the boat's advantage. The extra height gives more room with the roof closed, and opening the soft top fully from the windscreen creates more of a daycruiser feel than a simple roof hatch. It's a clear practical gain and a good example of how we've modernised an old concept.

"The roof is easy to operate, and you can open it as much as you want. By opening it slightly, you get easy access to the bow sundeck."

You have said that every design involves compromises. What compromise did you have to make on the Comtesse that improved the boat?

"You have full standing height beneath the roof, in all parts except the forward section. It would have been good to have full height there as well. However, that would have meant losing the berth beneath the cockpit deck. I believe we made the right decision."

Comtesse 830 vs Noblesse 830. What do they share, and what sets them apart?

"They share the same hull and layout. One has a sunroof, one doesn't. But I don't think of them as the same boat," says Espen. "They complement each other and appeal to different customers. The Noblesse is excellent for day trips and overnight stays, but the Comtesse gives you better weather protection on your days out and is the better choice for longer stays."

Spend a few days aboard, and it's the small things that matter: the napkin that stays put instead of flying off in a gust of wind. The wake that throws spray across the boat but leaves you dry. The comfort of staying cool on warm days and warm on cool evenings. Roof spotlights that turn the cockpit into a lit room after dark so you can enjoy games, cooking and a good book past sunset.

Enclose the cockpit for the evening, and the large windows and full standing height give the space real presence. The side windows stay clear too, with none of the fogging like your neighbour's canopy. Crack the roof open slightly for fresh air, and it feels more like the comfort of home.

"The sunroof also makes it better suited for trips to and from a holiday home," Espen adds. "It's ready faster and needs less prep than an open boat. No harbour cover or full canopy is necessary. You can close just the roof, then cover or remove the cushions on the aft sofa. This makes the Comtesse quicker and easier to prepare before leaving the boat, while giving the owner more choice."

And how does the roof change things once the season turns colder?

"In colder climates, the roof can also extend the boating season. You'll still want a canopy over the aft section for full protection, but it goes up and down much faster. The rigid structure provides better insulation than just a canopy, keeping you warmer and letting you get more from the heating system if you equip one."

Drawn by hand, built by hand

When Espen finishes his drawings, he sends them from his office in Norway to Nordkapp’s workshop in Poland, where they come to life. Thousands of hours went into making Comtesse 830, along with countless conversations and out-of-the-blue ideas that popped up over coffee breaks with the team, all to give you freedom to enjoy the sea on your terms.

The Nordkapp Comtesse 830 officially releases on September 26, and we can’t wait for you to get your hands on our first sunroof weekend cruiser.