The flat boats are waiting for you at the small dock at the Kungsports Bridge (Kungsportsbron). A guide will accompany the boat ride and try to tell you the whole story about Gothenburg, apart from Swedish also in English and German.
History
June 15, 1939 the first trip with Paddan departed with paid passengers. At this time it departed from the east side of Kungsportsbron, where the station at this time were located.
The boat operated on petrol and could only take 12 people. At this time passengers could also hop on along the way. During the war the petrol became very expensive and people didn´t afford to go with the boats. It was time to event something else - the first gas driven boat arrived year 1941.
Time passed and in 1942 Paddan got hold of the first big boat that could take over 80 persons. After this year Paddan nearly increased its fleet with new boats every year. Today there is only one boat left since the 40´s.
Some fun info
At first no one believed in this idea, to go by boat around Gothenburg. It was the newspaper seller Lars Andersson at Kungsportsbron that first came up with the idea with small boats in the canal. Sorry to say he didn´t get any attention for his idea and finally it became Gundel Matsson who operated a travel agency in town, who realized the idea. Certainly it later became a big success for the city, today the small flat boats is a distinguishing feature for Gothenburg
Trips with Paddan
The trip with Paddan along the canals and out in Göta Älv takes approx 50 minutes. At Christmas time you can take a trip with Paddan to Liseberg. Then you can enjoy your coffee and the Swedish drink "glögg" with a blanket on your knees. You can also take the boat back to town if you want.
