Classic beauties and the smell of tar at the Helsinki International Boat Show

The members of the Mahogany Yachting Society are fascinated by mahogany boats' design, material or building techniques. Some have inherited a boat and want to take care of it like a precious flower. Mahogany boat lovers feel that a fibreglass boat does not measure up to their standards. "It's not just about driving a boat but about an all-encompassing hobby. One of the high points is saving a beautiful boat, restoring it and enjoying the result. The hobby can also be quite social: there are training sessions, meetings, trips and cruising," says Risto Salmia, the secretary of the Mahogany Yachting Society.

The Helsinki International Boat Show in February is a good place to explore the world of wooden boats. "The people who come to our section include old boaters remembering what their own or their parents' boat looked like as well as young people who are enthusiastic about restoring a boat and its history. Visitors are interested in craftsmanship and the famous shine of lacquer. The theme at this year's section is the V-hull that was developed by the legendary American boat designer Raymond Hunt and its application to Finnish boats in the 1960s," Salmia relates.

The biggest attraction at the section will be a 22-foot boat that was built by Vator for the Pirttisaari Coast Guard station. It has been completely restored and the different stages of the process have been documented on film. The boat has been completely rebuilt to last another 50 years. The restoration project lasted several years and was carried out by Marko Raikamo of Espoo.

Chips will fly at boat-building demonstrations

Jukka Viinikainen, the chairman of the Finnish Association of Wooden Boat Builders, knows that for many people the only real boat is a one made of wood. "A wooden boat smells good, is beautiful and lasts from generation to generation. Some people may think a wooden boat requires a lot of work, but spring maintenance only takes a day or two. If you take good care of a boat, it will last over a hundred years."

The Helsinki International Boat Show is the year's most important event for anyone who is dreaming of a wooden boat. "Nearly ten boat builders will be on hand at our section. The supply ranges from Savo rowing boats to yachts over ten metres in length. Boats cannot be picked up at the fair, however, but must be ordered. Delivery periods vary from weeks to as much as two years: these boats are hand-crafted and not mass-produced. Orders can be made at the show without difficulty, conferring with an expert. The info desk at our section can guide visitors to the right boat builder," Viinikainen explains.

The wooden boat builders' section will have plenty to see even for people who are not in the market for a boat at the moment. "Boat-building demonstrations have been a big attraction at the Helsinki International Boat Show every year and will be on the programme again this year," Viinikainen promises.

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The 2010 Helsinki International Boat Show, which takes place at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre on 13-21 Feb 2010, is Finland's biggest recreational event for boating and other aquatic pastimes. Some 79,452 people visited the previous Boat Show in February 2009. The Finnish Fair Corporation is organising the 2010 Helsinki International Boat Show on behalf of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat.

The Boat Show is open from 11 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday (opening hours extended to 9 pm on Thu 18 Feb) and from 10 am to 6 pm on weekends (10 am to 5 pm on Sun 21 Feb). Tickets €13/9, family ticket €28. Admission restricted to boating industry professionals and media representatives from 10 am to 6 pm on Friday 12 Feb. The event's main cooperation partner is Volvo.

Further information about the Helsinki International Boat Show:
Finnish Fair Corporation, Communications Officer Petra Samppa, tel. +358 9 150 9380, petra.samppa@finnexpo.fi

Further information about the boating sector: Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat, Managing Director Jouko Huju, tel. +358 9 6962 1610, jouko@finnboat.fi

Mahogany Yachting Society:
Risto Salmia, tel. 0400 314 099, risto.salmia@kolumbus.fi

Puuveneveistäjät ry:
Jukka Viinikainen, tel. 0400 486 039, jukka.viinikainen@puuveneveistajat.fi