From the salmon river to a new generation
The Peson boat was developed in Namdalen, where years of rowing, guiding and boatbuilding met the need for a boat as good to row as one built in wood, but that asks far less of the person who owns it.
1996
A life along the Namsen
The story begins with Peson Products, founded by Kjell Pettersson in 1996. The business grew out of a close relationship with the Namsen, with rowing and guiding salmon anglers a central part of everyday life. Kjell was an experienced boatbuilder as well. Through countless hours on the river he came to know exactly what a good river boat has to withstand, how it should move through the water, and which qualities the rower depends on.
«Vi guidet folk som hadde reist langt for å komme hit. Båten var bare et middel.»
2006
Craft, materials and new products
In 2006 the business became Peson AS. Alongside the work on the river, Kjell developed craftwork tied to hunting and fishing — salmon casts and hand-made lures among them. The work demanded precision, an eye for form and a deep knowledge of materials. Together with his experience of boatbuilding and rowing, it laid the groundwork for the boat that would come later.
2017
The need for a new river boat
Traditional wooden boats row beautifully, but they need proper storage and regular upkeep. Towards the end of 2017, work began on a river boat that would keep the traditional shape and the way it behaves in the water, while being easier to own. The wood was replaced with welded, solid HDPE, while the build — keel, ribs and strakes — was carried over. No boat looks after itself entirely, but this one comes close: it can be left outdoors, it does not take in water, and it needs no caulking, painting or sanding. The boat quickly earned the trust of rowers, landowners and rental operators on the Namsen.
«Vi bygger båter vi selv vil ha. Som tåler en hard sesong, og en til etter den.»
2026
From the Namsen to new waters
Peson Boats AS carries the boat, and the knowledge behind it, forward today. The construction, the choice of material and the rowing qualities are the same ones the Peson boat became known for. Having established itself as a solid, dependable choice on the Namsen, Peson is now being made available across Norway. The boat's stability, low weight and simple upkeep suit lakes, mountain tarns, rivers and the coast alike. The aim is not to make the boat more complicated, but to make boating simpler — so that more people can experience the confidence, the durability and the feeling Peson gives on the water.