Upgrading of electric vessel
Expatriate Exhibition
S/S Restauration was one of the world’s first vessels of its type to feature hybrid electric propulsion
In the home port of Restauration, at Finnesand quay on Mosterøy at
One can usually access the exhibition when the conference room is not in use by Utstein Kloster Hotell's guests. Contact the hotel for information.
The expatriate room was solemnly opened on Leif Erikson Day 9. October 2021.
From the opening:
In the media:
The ship can now operate with either battery-electric or diesel-electric propulsion. The batteries can be charged via shore power, a backup generator, or by the engines generating (charging) power while sailing.
- Magnificent celebration when the Expatriate Center opened: — I think this is one of the most important things that has happened in Norway“
- The Business Association:
From the more solemn opening.
The vessel previously operated with diesel-electric propulsion, where a diesel generator powered two electric motors connected to shafts and propellers.
Equipped with a 7-ton battery pack for electric propulsion, Restauration was one of the first sailing vessels in the world to feature this solution.
It was also the American newspaper articles from this anniversary with His Majesty King Olav V:---- electric propulsion to receive a passenger certificate.
The Background of the Original Electric System:
The Background of the Original Electric System:
Arne Nordbø, who played a key role in the ship’s construction, wanted to replace engine noise with the sound of waves and began researching electric propulsion.
The board supported the idea, both for its environmental benefits and because they applied for and received funding from Transnova (now Enova) to develop Restauration’s propulsion system.
The construction of Restauration took several years, and in the meantime, Nordbø gained extensive knowledge about electric propulsion through networking and email exchanges with experts worldwide, up until the ship was launched in 2010.
Restauration as a Pioneering Vessel and Inspiration:
The machinery in Restauration received so much attention that a whale safari company in Iceland invited Arne Nordbø to serve as a consultant for Iceland’s first electrically powered vessel. His deep commitment also inspired the development of electric propulsion for larger ferries in Norway.
Modernization in 2025:
This system is now being upgraded with state-of-the-art Oceanvolt AXC36 electric motors, larger propeller diameters for increased efficiency, and a new battery bank. This modernization allows Restauration to motor-sail silently on battery power alone, with the backup generator available if needed
This quiet operation is especially valuable when navigating fjords or entering and exiting harbors, offering a calmer and more environmentally friendly experience. It’s a harmonious integration of modern technology into a historic vessel.
With this solution, we honor the legacy while demonstrating how tradition can embrace sustainability to inspire future generations.
Basis for the Chosen Upgrade
The foundation for this upgrade is based on towing measurements of Restauration, theoretical calculations using a method called Holtrop, 3D model drawings, and hydrodynamic calculations for stability. All of this has been done to provide us with knowledge about movements, forces, and resistance.
A collaboration between boat builders and traditional craftsmanship, combined with modern technology, has given us a sustainable, modern solution. The person responsible for the propulsion upgrade has been Per Stian Larsen, with Odd Kenneth Tollefsen serving as the Technical Project Manager.
We set full sails into the future
With S/S Restauration. Vessel Data:
We set full sails into the future
Med S/S Restauration. Fartøydata:
- With S/S Restauration. Vessel data:
- Vessel Type: Sloop
- Overall Length: 22 m
- Length at Waterline: 16 m
- Max Beam: 5.3 m
- Displacement: 40 tons
- Draft: 1.8 m
- Electric Motors: 2 x AXC36 Oceanvolt electric motors
- Electric Motor System Voltage: 48 V – 93.6 kWh LiFePO4 battery bank
- Call Sign: 3YPN / MMSI
- Sail Area: 250 m² Main Sail – Jib – … – …. – Fore topmast staysail – Outer jib – Flying jib
Schematic Diagram for the Oceanvolt Dual / Twin AXC30 MG Robust Electric Hybrid Propulsion System.
The History of Restauration
Restauration was originally an open clinker-built Hardanger jacht that was purchased by merchant and shipowner Theofilius Bowits in Egersund in 1802. At that time, it was named Emanuel and operated as a cargo ship along the coast and in the Baltic Sea. Bowits’ son, Torger Reiersen Bowitz, took over the jacht in 1806 and sailed her until the end of 1816. The ship was damaged in a storm while entering the southern strait of Egersund and was put ashore. From 1817 to 1820, the vessel was on the repair slip in Egersund, where it was rebuilt, receiving four new planks and a sloop stern.
A systematic review of Egersund’s customs books and ship registers from 1801 to 1825 confirms that the jacht “Emanuel” was transformed into the sloop “Restauration” in 1820. The newly renovated ship was put back into service with a new cargo capacity. In 1825, when Torger Reiersen Bowitz was facing bankruptcy, it was sold to Stavanger. The ship registers list Johs. Stene as the shipowner and L. O. Helland as the captain.
During the Tall Ship Race in Stavanger in 2004, Ryfylke Trebåtbyggjeri in Finnøy was asked if they could build a replica of the emigrant ship Restauration. This sparked an interest on Finnøy, and great care was taken to build an authentic replica. A professional advisory board with expertise was established, and the project was underway. Mostly, locally sourced pine from Stokka-dalen in Vats was used, cut at the local sawmill at Ryfylke Trebåtbyggeri. The keel for the new “Restauration” was laid in November 2007, and she was launched from Finnøy in April 2010.
There is ample documentation on how jachts and sloops looked in the early 1800s, including line drawings of hulls and rigging designs. Numerous depictions of jachts and sloops from this era exist, and traditional boatbuilding practices have been carefully preserved. The result was unique, and in 2025, Restauration stands as a floating monument and icon. Now one of Stavanger’s proudest symbols, it represents Norwegian emigration, freedom of expression, and the spirit of the emigrant journey.
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