🎣 Fishing from a rorbu: boats and fileteringsrom
Staying in a rorbu is like having a "headquarters" right by the water: a few steps to the pier, quick access to the bay, a warm kitchen and a separate area for cleaning your catch. To make your trip safe and productive, think in advance about the type of boat, the nuances of the pier, the equipment in the fileteringsrom, storage of your catch, and "sea" etiquette. Below are practical tips and ready-made adaptive blocks for your website.
🛶 The right boat for the job: how to choose the format
The type of boat determines comfort, range, and weather requirements. For short trips and "windows" during the storm season, it is better to choose stable hulls and not chase speed. Pay attention to the height of the side, the width of the cockpit, fuel consumption, the availability of navigation, life jackets, echo sounder and "trolling" mode, if it is important.
🛥️ Open Aluminum 15–17’
20–50 hpeconomicalspacious cockpit- Pros: simple, stable, buoyancy compartments.
- Cons: spray/wind, limited in waves.
- Use: coastal fishing, 2–3 people.
🌊 RIB 18–21’
60–115 hpsmooth rideseaworthy- Pros: handles waves well, safe tubes.
- Cons: open deck, wet in spray.
- Use: fast trips, 3–4 people.
🧭 Pilothouse/Cabin 19–24’
shelterecho/GPSrange- Pros: warm/dry, navigation gear, stability.
- Cons: higher rent & fuel, docking harder.
- Use: full day, family/team 3–5.
🎣 Small Coastal Dinghy 12–13’
shallow draftbudget- Pros: light, simple, affordable.
- Cons: only calm weather & bays.
- Use: harbor scouting, 1–2 people.
🌬️ Weather and "window" for departure
At sea, everything is determined by the wind, wave direction and period, visibility and precipitation. Even a "stable" forecast may not match reality in narrow straits. If in doubt, stay at the pier, fish from the shore or work during the "window" in a sheltered bay. Always inform your companion on shore of your departure plan and return time.
⚓ Pier: order and safety
The pier is a shared resource. Do not clutter the gangway with tackle, do not dry nets in the passageways, secure your boat with two or three mooring lines (taking into account the tide), and do not leave fuel cans unattended. Children must wear life jackets and be supervised. During storms and strong winds, the pier can be slippery — shoes with treads and gloves are mandatory.
🔪 Fileteringsrom: cleanliness, knives and labelling
Fileteringsrom — a specially equipped place for cutting: a table with sides and a drain, running water, boards, hooks and places for containers. The main principle is hygiene and respect for neighbours: work neatly, do not leave any "aroma" or traces, and place trimmings in specially designated containers.
❄️ Storing your catch: freezer, drying and logistics
It is best to pack fillets in portions and label them with the date — this will save your freezer and your nerves. For long-term storage, use a vacuum sealer; for short-term storage, use a container with ice in the refrigerator. It is better to dry suits and boots in a separate drying room rather than in a living area, so that the house does not absorb the "sea" smell.
🦺 Safety: people are more important than the catch
Discipline and preparation are crucial on the water. Always wear life jackets, attach a motor kill switch to yourself, keep your phone in a waterproof case, or better yet, carry a handheld radio. Do not go out alone, observe quiet hours, and keep the pier free of debris and hooks. Plan your route so that you have a reserve of fuel/time and a "safe harbour" in case the wind changes.
🦺 Life jackets and kill-switch
📱 Communication & navigation
🌧️ Weather & visibility
🧊 Warmth & dryness
🧯 First aid & essentials
📒 Catch and consumables log
Keep a brief log: date, weather, location, bait, species/weight, what to do with the catch (cook/freeze). This helps you plan for the next day and avoid overloading the freezer. Below is a simple table for notes.
| Date | Location | Weather | Bait | Species | Weight |
|---|
📨 Fishing & infrastructure request
Hello! We plan to fish from your rorbu from __ to __, we are __ people. 1) What boats are available (length/engine), are there echo sounders/GPS and life jackets in correct sizes? 2) Fuel and rules for departure/return: how is it organized? 3) Fileteringsrom: location and equipment (water, boards, containers)? 4) Catch storage: freezer size, is vacuum-packing/labeling possible? 5) Is there a drying room for suits/boots and a place to rinse gear? 6) Quiet hours on the pier and rules for night departures? Thank you!
🧭 Fisherman's etiquette at the cottage
● Do not leave tackle in common areas and do not dry nets where children walk.
● Do not throw entrails into the harbour if there are containers provided: the smell and seagulls are a problem for everyone.
● Keep knives in their sheaths and do not sharpen them on the pier railings.
● Sort your rubbish, wash the table after cutting up fish, and clean the floor — your neighbours will thank you.
● Respect the quiet in the evening and at night — sound travels far across the water.
FAQ
For small pleasure boats on the farm, instruction and basic mooring skills are often sufficient. If the boat is larger and has a powerful motor, the owners may require proof of experience. Always check the rental conditions and liability for damage.
Yes. A life jacket is the minimum safety standard in any weather and at any distance. It must be the right size, fastened and dry. The captain attaches the kill switch to himself while the boat is in motion.
There is usually a table with sides and a drain, water, boards, and containers for scraps. You are welcome to bring your own knives, but you must work cleanly: after cutting, wash the surfaces and tools, and do not leave the floor covered in scales.
It depends on the size of the freezer and your fishing plans. Pack the fillets in portions of 250–300 g, remove the air from the bags and label them with the date/type — this will save space and time in the kitchen. If the freezer is small, cook some of the catch fresh.
If you are concerned about the wind, waves, visibility or your well-being, that's a red flag. It's better to stay at the pier and work in a sheltered bay or on the shore. Fishing is not worth the risk to people and equipment.
A life jacket, a waterproof case for your phone, a thermos, warm layers, a first aid kit, a hook cutter, cable ties/duct tape, a scoop/bucket, and a spare light source. For children, bring gloves and a hat, even in summer.
Usually, the guest pays for fuel by meter/canister. Find out if the farm has canisters and where the nearest petrol station is. Never store open canisters in living quarters or rorbu.
Use two or three mooring lines at an angle, taking into account the tide. Place fenders between the boat and the pier, do not cling to other people's ropes and do not leave knots "on the crossbar" of the passages.
If there is a fileteringsrom, use only it. Cutting up fish outside leaves a smell and attracts birds, which disturbs the neighbours. In bad weather, work in a closed area.
Yes, if you follow the rules: life jackets that fit properly, clear roles, short trips in calm weather, warm layers and snacks. No playing or running on the pier; in the boat, sit inside the cockpit, not on the sides.
