Questions & Answers
The most frequently asked questions can be found here
You can either search for available boats in a specific time period here.
Or you will also find a summary of which boats you can choose from the link above. Click on the boat you want to book. At the bottom of the boat page you will see a calendar that shows when the boat you want to order is available.
Payment:
Prices vary according to season. You will find price information here. here.
Option 1. To minimize your own share if the boat is damaged, you can pay an insurance of your own share of NOK 4,900. This amount is non-refundable.
Option 2. On arrival, you must pay NOK 30,000 on your credit card. This amount is reserved until the boat is returned and the condition of the boat is approved.
Option 1. You can choose to pay 35% of the total amount, the remaining 65% must be paid no later than 42 days before the holiday starts. Read more about contract terms here.
The remaining 65% of the total amount must be transferred via online banking to our bank account. If you choose this option, you will receive a confirmation by email stating how much you have to pay and to which account the amount should be transferred to.
Alternativ 2. Betal hele beløpet med en gang når du booker.
We only accept card payments and we accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Charging and infrastructure:
I tillegg til etablerte hurtigladere kan du lade båten på alle brygger som har 16A ladestrøm (dette finnes på de fleste brygger). Du finner en oversikt over hvor det finnes tilgjengelige hurtigladere here.
Just like renting an electric car, the boat you rent will be fully charged when you pick it up and you will also pay for the electricity you use.
You have to expect between NOK 500-1000 in charging current per week. (The equivalent boat with diesel power would cost about NOK 3500 per week.)
Ved endt ferie skal båten leveres tilbake fulladet, om ikke den er det vil Canal Boats Telemark trekke en del av depositumet eller sende faktura tilsvarende det det koster å fullade båten igjen.
It takes about 3 hours to charge 80% of the battery.
The longest distance between two charging points will be between Kviteseid and Lunde, this distance is 23.7 nm (nautical mile) or about 43 km.
In the same way as with an electric car, small adjustments in speed give large effects on range. The range of the boats, on the other hand, is very long if you keep a calm pace. You will at all times have an overview of how much power is left on a display on the boat, in addition, the solar panel will also be able to provide power to the operating batteries. There will therefore never be any danger of running out of power.
Examples of range in headwind: 4.9 knots = 57.6 nm, 5.6 knots = 43.9 nm, 6.2 knots = 33.5 nm, 7.5 = 20.9 nm
Boat experience
If you are born after 1980, the tenant and any other drivers of the boat must have a boating licence. Canal Boats Telemark, on the other hand, requires all riders of the boat to have at least 2 seasons of experience with boats. Read more under terms and conditions here.
In addition to the Norwegian boating licence, the International Certificates for Operator of Pleasure Craft (ICC) is also approved as a valid boating licence. click Here to see which countries are members of ICC Resolution No.40.
As part of our safety routine, everyone who rents a boat from Canal Boats Telemark will receive up to 1 hour of training on arrival. Here you go through all safety routines, you get an introduction to the boat's equipment and navigation system and you go through other practical information that is necessary before the holiday starts.
Want to feel extra safe before you go on vacation? We offer 2 hours of training with the captain for an additional fee. This can be added under "optional extras" in the booking process. The captain accompanies the first 2 hours of the trip (Ut Telemarkskysten: Porsgrunn to Brevik. Telemark Canal: Porsgrunn to Skotfoss (into the first lock chamber in Løveid lock). You will receive all training along the way and can therefore drive out of Porsgrunn immediately after check-in.
When driving on the Telemark canal, the main rule is that you should have a maximum of 5 knots when the distance to land is less than 100m. Other restrictions are usually signposted.
The age limit is 25 years
Yes, you can. A novelty for season 2022 is that you can now rent a boat with the captain. (only applies to rental of E/Y Skien, E/Y Porsgrunn, E/Y Helgeroa or E/Y Kviteseid). Relax and let the captain take full responsibility for driving the boat. If you rent a boat with a captain, we do not require any of the boat guests to have prior knowledge of navigating a boat. On the other hand, you must be helpful during the lock-up if you want to holiday up the Telemark Canal. The captain stays on land and there will be regular stops for accommodation along the way. During the day, you have the full flexibility to stop wherever you want, as long as you arrive at the planned port in the afternoon.
Itinerary will be sent by email in advance of your holiday.
Generally:
Check-in at 16:00 (you must expect about1 hour to review safety routines, standard check of boat and equipment as well as handing over of equipment / life jackets during check-in) and checkout at 08:00 (you must expect approximately 1 to 2 hours for boat examination).
Remember that you must arrive at Porsgrunn guest pier the day before checkout and no later than 15:00 the day before. The outside of the boat will be washed the same afternoon.
If you want early check-in or late checkout, it is possible to order this in the booking. If you have already booked and want this, you can contact us by phone or e-mail.
Late checkout is at 11:00, early check-in is at 13:00.
If you choose a late checkout, you must not arrive in Porsgrunn before the same day as the checkout date, but no later than 09:00. You can then relax and enjoy a long breakfast before checkout at 11:00.
Telemark watercourse:
There is good fishing in the canal watercourse and you can catch trout, perch, char, whitefish, pike and tench. In the lower parts of the Telemark Canal, you can also buy fishing licenses for salmon and sea trout.
Fishing licenses that are available in the Telemark Canal are all on www.inatur.no. Here you will also find updated fishing rules and information for the various stretches.
Fishing rules:
Everyone over the age of 16 must have a fishing license. Children under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license or pay a state fishing fee. Everyone who is going to fish in Norsjø, Heddalsvannet and Bråfjorden does not have to pay a state fishing fee. When fishing for salmon and sea trout in the rivers , everyone must pay a state fishing fee.
Fishing for salmon and sea trout is only allowed in the period June 1 to September 30.
Up to 2 salmon or sea trout can be caught per day per person.
Salmon and sea trout caught in the period October 1 to May 30 shall be set out immediately. When fishing from a boat in Norsjø, Heddalsvannet and Bråfjorden, it is possible to fish with a maximum of 4 lines with one bait (hook, lure, wobble, etc.) on each line per boat.
It is not permitted to fish with gear that can be filled with water.
The Telemark watercourse is a disease-free watercourse and all equipment that has been used in other watercourses must therefore be disinfected before use. This also applies to boats that are moved to the watercourse, - pay special attention to humid environments in cavities, ropes and textiles as well as waders, nets etc.
1) Fishing license is what you must buy from the licensees / landowner to fish within a specific area. Price approx. NOK 100 for one week per person (2020)
2) Fishing fee is a fee you must pay to the State to fish for salmon and sea trout in rivers and lakes. Single person NOK 272, - family NOK 434, - (2020)
The coast of Telemark.
Here you can fish all sorts of fish except cod which has a temporary protection until 15.06.2022
Lobsters can only be fished from 1.10 to 30.11. Everyone has to register before fishing lobster. Please contact us if you need help with this. Crab can be fished all year round and no registration is required.
The Telemark Canal
The entire canal watercourse and especially Norsjø is a source of drinking water for large population groups. It is therefore not permitted to empty septic tanks into the watercourse. Use the sewer system for septic tank emptying or empty the septic tank before entering the watercourse.
There are septic tanks at Hjellebrygga in Skien, Ulefoss guest harbour, Kviteseid, Dalen and Akkerhaugen west.
The coast of Telemark.
Along the Telemark coast, there are emptying facilities at the following locations:
Porsgrunn, Brevik, Langesund, Kragerø (by the ferry port at Stabbestad)
The nearest long-term outdoor parking is at the address: Engveien / Dr.Munchs gate (Gamle urædd). Price: About NOK 70 a day.
Do you want indoor parking? We offer indoor parking for a fee. See price list. here.
Trenger du overnatting før eller etter at du skal leie båt av oss? Vi kan varmt anbefale å booke en overnatting på Vic Hotel. Vic Hotel ligger sentralt i Porsgrunn, kun noen 100 meter fra der du henter og leverer båten. Ønsker du å booke? Ta kontakt med oss på post@canalboats.no or contact the hotel directly at https://www.vichotel.no/en/home/
What is included:
- The rental price includes:
- Boat rental
- Equipment in the boat (fully equipped kitchen with kitchen utensils)
- Bed linen and towels for all persons on board are included.
- Consumables: Washing equipment and soap products, hand soap, coffee filter, salt and pepper
- Hand soap and hand cream
Extra:
- Extra equipment (see separate price list for extra equipment here Here
- Cleaning fees totalling NOK 2490 per boat apply. (Cleaning fee covers the cleaning costs of the boat exterior and interior after use.)
- Lock up the Telemark Canal during the season. Price varies depending on the distance you want to drive. During the telemark canal season (24 June-18 August 2022) the ticket is paid directly in the first lock. For more information regarding prices, visit the Telemark Channel's own website: https://www.telemarkskanalen.no/fritidsbat/apningstider-og-priser
- Off-season lockbilet. It costs 2000kr if you want to drive t/r Skien-Løveid (Norsjø) out of season and 6000kr t/r Skien-Hogga. Out-of-season lock ticket is paid via Canal Boats Telemark's booking page,
- Fuel. You have to expect between 500-1000 NOK in electricity per week (equivalent boat with diesel operation would cost approx. 3500 NOK per week)
Yes. Bedlinen and towels for all persons on board are included. If you want extra bedlinen or towel, you can rent this for a fee.
We recommend that you bring some good non-slip boat shoes and gloves.
You can of course bring food, but there is also a grocery store, liquor store, pharmacy and more within walking distance to the guest harbour where the boats will be picked up and delivered.
The own share for which you must provide a guarantee is NOK 30,000. To minimize your own share if the boat is damaged, you can pay an insurance of your own share of NOK 3,000. This amount is not refundable, but you must not pay more if there is any damage to the boat. Read more about contract terms
Read more under terms and conditions here.
Just get in touch via e-mail or telephone if you want to order additional products such as. kayak rental or early check-in etc.
NOTE! Certain additional products such as Early check-in can not be booked if it is too short a time before the rental period starts, but get in touch and we will try our best to find a solution.
See price list and accessories here.
Yes. If you want early check-in or late checkout, it is possible to book this in the booking (we reserve the right to cancel this in case of high demand).
Early check-in is at 13:00 (standard at 16:00), late checkout is at 11:00 (standard at 09:00).
If you have already booked your boat holiday and would like this, you can contact us by phone or e-mail.
For a complete price overview of extra equipment and services, click here.
Location and traffic range:
We are located in Porsgrunn in Vestfold and Telemark county municipality.
Address Stangsgate 1, 3915 Porsgrunn
The boats must be picked up and delivered at Canal Boats Telemark's permanent wharf in Porsgrunn.
In order to receive the necessary equipment, as well as get basic training in the use of the boat, you must first show up at our office with address Stangsgate 1, 3915 Porsgrunn
Our office is only a few metres’ walk from the piers where the boats are moored
From Porsgrunn you can either drive up towards the Telemark Canal or down towards telemark coast. The telemark canal's end station is Dalen. If you want to visit Gvarv, Norsjø Ferieland, Notodden or Heddal, take off from the Telemark Canal and follow the water trail to the right just before Ulefoss, the waterway towards Notodden has no locks. If you drive down towards telemark coast you can drive towards Sørlandskysten in one direction and the Oslo fjord in the other direction.
If you drive your own car from Oslo, follow the E18 towards Kristiansand until you come to a sign for Porsgrunn (just after Larvik). If you come from Bergen, take the E134 over Haukelifjell and take off in Seljord to national road 36 towards Porsgrunn. If you come from Kristiansand, follow the E18 towards Oslo until you see the exit towards Porsgrunn (just after Brevik).
There are several parking garages in Porsgrunn. We also offer indoor parking for an extra fee. If you want indoor parking, just contact us by phone or e-mail.
There are also trains, boats and coaches going to Porsgrunn. Torp Airport is also just over half an hour away and there is an airport bus from Torp Airport that goes all the way to Porsgrunn.
No. As long as you are back in Porsgrunn at the agreed time, you can drive wherever you want.
We have made a survey of attractions and activities we recommend along the Telemark Canal and the coast of Telemark. This survey can be found here.
You can also visit Visit Telemark for inspiration and information about things you can see and experience along the Telemark Canal and the coast of Telemark. If you want to go to Visit Telemark, you can click here.
The Telemark Canal and the locks
There is a total of 8 locks with 18 lock chambers altogether. Skien, Løveid, Ulefoss, Eidsfoss, Vrangfoss, Lunde, Kjeldal, Hogga. The Telemark Canal has a length of 105 kilometres from Skien to Dalen and 80 kilometres from Skien to Notodden, and a total lifting height of 72 metres.
- The price varies depending on whether you want to lock through all the locks, or just a shorter distance.
During the telemark canal season (24 June to 18 August 2022) you pay a lock ticket when you show up at the first lock. For more information regarding prices, see the Telemark Canal's own pages:
https://www.telemarkskanalen.no/fritidsbat/apningstider-og-priser
Outside the season it costs 2000kr if you want to holiday up to Norsjø (t/r Skien-Løveid) and 6000 NOK if you want to holiday all the way up to Dalen (t/r Skien-Hogga)
We recommend that you calculate 1 week if you want to og on holiday the entire Telemark Canal.
If you want to go along both the archipelago and the Telemark Canal, we therefore recommend planning a minimum of 2 weeks holiday.
The locks have staff who will help you pass through the lock.
For more information about the locks, see the Telemark Canal's own websites:
https://www.telemarkskanalen.no/fritidsbat/praktisk-informasjon.
The locks are open from 24 June to 18 August. For more information about opening hours and other information about the locks, see the Telemark Canal's own website:
https://www.telemarkskanalen.no/fritidsbat/praktisk-informasjon
(prices are for 2021 and are subject to change)
Langbryggene Guest Harbor, Skien centre (before the first lock), no charging, water, grocery 300m, liquor store 1200m, restaurants, cinema, concerts. Port fee NOK 55 (maximum 2 days)
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Hjellebrygga guest harbor Skien centre (after the first lock), no charging option, Septic emptying, grocery 300m, liquor store 1200m, sauna 500m. Bathing possibility 500m, cinema, concerts. Port fee: free
Løveid Sluse Guest harbourSkien, charging station, grocery 500m. Harbor fee: free.
Ulefoss Guest PierCharging possibility, water, septic tank emptying, washing machine, dryer, shower, toilet, bathing possibility, grocery 300m, liquor store 300m, Port fee NOK 100,
Lunde Slusepark and Guest Harbour,charging facilities, groceries, water, inn, entertainment. Rental of canoes, kayaks and bicycles. Port fee: NOK 150 per night.
Kviteseid Guest HarbourCharging facilities, water, septic tank emptying, washing machine, dryer, shower, toilet, bathing facilities, groceries.
Lårdal Gjestebrygge Tokke. Water, septic tank kiosk, swimming, volleyball,
Dalen guest harbor, Tokke Charging facilities, septic tank emptying, groceries, swimming facilities, sauna, volleyball. Port fee: NOK 100 per night.
Nesøya MarinaNotodden. Charging option, grocery, bathing option
Akkerhaugen guest harbourwater, toilet. Port fee NOK 100
Norsjø Ferieland Guest pierWater, toilets, restaurant, activities, Harbor fee: July NOK 200, - otherwise NOK 150, -
Which jetties are located along the coast of Telemark?
(prices are for 2020 and are subject to change)
Porsgrunn Guest pier centre. Charging, septic tank emptying, washing machine, dryer, shower, toilets, grocery, liquor store, train station, cinema, restaurants, concerts, Port fee: Free for those who rent a boat from us.
Brevik Guest HarbourPorsgrunn. Septic tank emptying, washing machine, dryer, shower, toilets, grocery, restaurants. Port fee: NOK 250
Langesund, Bamble. Charging option, septic tank emptying, grocery, water, restaurants, concerts, Port fee: NOK 300 per night (1.6 to 31.8)
Valle Guest HarbourBamble. Water, washing machine, dryer, showers, toilets, groceries, restaurants. Port fee: NOK 250
Helgeroa Guest HarbourLarvik. Charging facilities, water, washing machine, dryer, shower, toilets, grocery (1 kilometre), restaurants. Harbour fee: NOK 275
Kragerø Guest Harbourdowntown. Charging option (Tallakshavn), septic tank emptying (Stabbestad), washing machine, dryer, shower, toilets, grocery, liquor store, cinema, restaurants, concerts, Harbour fee: 330 per night.
Kragerø archipelagoJomfruland, Portør, Stabbestad, Skåtøy and many, many more ..