Sirpale – A Pioneer, a Forgotten Classic, and a Reborn Wooden Boat
In the spring of 1905, something new was seen on the waters of Helsinki. A small inboard motorboat named “Sirpale” was among Finland’s first mass-produced inboard motorboats. Its combination of performance and an affordable price made it instantly desirable. The wooden boat cost half as much as competing models, and orders came in faster than the yard could build them.
From journalist to boat manufacturer
Eero Erkko, the founder of Päivälehti (today Helsingin Sanomat), was expelled from Finland in 1903. During his years as a refugee in the United States, he met engineer Kosti Markoff. After returning to Finland, the two established a boatyard in Helsinki, where Markoff handled the technical side and Erkko took care of sales.
The company grew rapidly and became Helsingin Moottoritehdas Oy. A fire in 1907, however, brought the rapid rise to an end, and both men continued their careers elsewhere. The Sirpale boats lived on—and although none survived, they still hold a place in the history of Finnish boating.
A Replica is born after more than a hundred years
Sirpale’s story took a new turn in 2023, when a boat enthusiast heard about the boat’s history at a class reunion from a yacht club commodore - on Sirpalesaari. That sparked an idea: what if Sirpale were built again?
Because the original drawings had not survived, new plans were created based on old advertising images. The material choice was pine battens, just like in the original Sirpale. With modern technology, the strip-planked hull was coated with epoxy and fiberglass, adding durability compared to the original structure. The exterior protection was done using Kevra epoxy and fiberglass fabric.
The replica was completed in Pyhämaa in October 2024 and moved to Uusikaupunki for engine installation. Following the original model, it was fitted with a single-cylinder engine - however, a modern diesel. The replica is not merely a museum piece but a boat that brings the past into the present day.
Sirpale returns to the water and the public
The new Sirpale was invited to the Finnish Wooden Boaters’ section at the Vene25 Helsinki Boat Show. In May, the boat was launched, and in August, it was displayed at the Puupaattei exhibition. During the same month, staff from the Päivälehden Arkisto (now the Merkki Museum and Archives) also came for a test run. In September, the engine break-in reached a full 50 hours, and the boat was moved into winter storage to await future launches.
