The competition “A new life for the boat” features three renovated boats
This February, the Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 25 Båt, will feature boats that have been beautifully restored and revitalized. In addition to hundreds of new boats, the show annually features renovated mahogany and wooden boats. For the first time ever, three renovated boats will compete for the title "A New Life for the Boat" this year. These three boats, on display at the Venemestarin Telakka booth, have been transformed from near-derelict conditions into magnificent vessels. The boat show will take place from February 7–16, 2025, at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
For the first time, the boat show is highlighting boat recycling with a dedicated competition. Boats can, of course, be reused by recycling their materials, but they can also be renovated to give them a new life. The competition "A New Life for the Boat" features three participants: a Marino Mustang, a RO Buster, and a Tornado. A jury of boating journalists will select the winner, who will be awarded a gift card worth 1,000 euros. During the show, a public vote will also take place, with the winner receiving a gift card worth 500 euros. The winners will be announced on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Venemestarin Telakka (Venemestari’s Boatyard) booth.
Marino Mustang 1971, "The Other Woman" – Love at First Sight
Juha Parma, 37, discovered boating four years ago during a cabin weekend at Lake Päijänne. Having previously owned two Yamarin boats, he chose to invest in a Marino Mustang. When he saw a new Mustang on the water, he immediately knew he wanted one, but it was an older model to renovate that appealed to him the most. Eventually he found his dream boat through a Facebook group, and last summer he finally launched his renovated Mustang.
“I saw a new Mustang on the water about three years ago, and it was love at first sight. When I discovered the model's history and watched videos of adventurers crossing the Atlantic in a Mustang in 1972, it became clear that I had to have one. Of course, the more run-down the boat, the better. I found a suitable wreck and became 600 euros poorer, but much happier once I got it to the workshop. What started as a light project to fill dark and quiet winter evenings turned into a three-year endeavor. The only salvageable parts of the boat were essentially the fiberglass, most of the gelcoat, the cleat in the bow, and the lantern. Everything else needed to be redone, and naturally, with the principle that everything would be done personally by me – from the interior and painting to the canopy. After three years of work, I finally got the "sardine can" in the water at the end of summer 2024. A few compromises had to be made at the last minute, and some visions never materialized. Once the engine was properly broken in, I put the boat to the test by crossing the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn. One crate of beer richer, I concluded that this boat can handle anything. Over the coming winter, I plan to realize the visions that haven’t yet come to life and refine the details to make the “can” even more stylish”.
RO Buster from the 1980s – A New Life as a Casting and Rowing Boat
Olli Kattelus, 46, has been fishing his entire life. In 2013, he bought his first boat, a Suvi 5700. However, he also wanted a smaller boat that could easily be used to explore smaller lakes. Kattelus had no prior experience with boat renovation, which meant many steps had to be redone multiple times during the process. Despite this, he was able to head out on fishing trips as early as last summer.
The old RO Buster has been reborn as a casting and rowing boat. Kattelus found it in an ad about a year ago when it was for sale near his home. He went to take a look at it and concluded that the price was right, and that the 80-kilogram boat was ideal for future fishing trips. The hull also offered the possibility for various modifications. The boat had likely ended up with its previous owner through a property deal and was still being used as a cottage boat despite its poor condition. Kattelus initially planned to only replace the rotten transom, but the project quickly expanded, and in the end, everything was torn out—except for the hull. The boat now features new floors made of aluminum composite, refurbished benches, and hatches in the middle and stern, as well as new electrical wiring. Additionally, bow and stern motors have been installed along with batteries, as well as interior and navigation lights. The railings have been replaced, and two Garmin displays have been added, including LiveScope and a side scanner. The boat has undergone a complete transformation, and after the time-consuming project, it’s clear that the effort was well worth it. The renovation was carried out with great precision, and the boat's aluminum construction makes it both durable and reliable. This was Kattelus' first renovation project—and so far, the only one—although he already has ideas for future projects in mind.
Tornado 1964-65 – A Cheerful Little Speedster
When 53-year-old Sami Raittola was offered the popular 1970s speedboat Tornado, he decided to save it. Raittola already had an interest in vintage fiberglass boats and owned, in addition to another Tornado, a Sweet Sixteen. He has delved into the history of the Tornado boats and collects, among other things, old advertisements for these boats. Raittola became the second owner of the boat he has now renovated and was already out on the water with it two summers ago. The Tornado was brought ashore in the early 1970s. It had previously been used as a recreational boat and everything was in its original condition. Raittola has restored the boat and made sure to preserve its original feel – it even has the original engine, a Mercury 20hp from 1965. The boat's bilge has been renovated, but the paint still needs to be restored. “The Tornado is a light and lively little racing boat. I want to increase the appreciation for old boats – just like cars and motorcycles, old boats can be an area of interest and a passion. The Tornado was one of the most successful racing boats of the 1960s. The outboard motors were relatively small at that time, and these boats performed excellently even with smaller engines. According to the advertisement, the boat could reach over 20 knots with a 10 hp engine and was perfect for water skiing. A Tornado with a jet engine was seen in a film by Spede Pasanen from 1967. Today, the Tornado is once again relevant as a retro boat, especially as electric motors become more common. Next winter, the boat will turn 60 years old”.
The Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 25 Båt, will be held from February 7–16, 2025, at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The fair is organized by the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on behalf of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat rf. The event's sustainability partner for 2025 is the John Nurminen Foundation. During the first weekend, February 7–9, 2025, the first Helsinki Outdoor & Hunting Fair will be held simultaneously.
For more information and contact details for the renovators: Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, press contact Teija Armanto, the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, tel. +358 50 376 0804
www.venemessut.fi #venemessut
Images of the boats participating in the contest: http://mediabank.messukeskus.com
