Birth and Beginnings

The history of Timppa Boat is rooted in tradition. The first Timppa began sailing the waters of Savonlinna as early as 1971. 

The boatbuilder and the first captain of the Timppa boats, Eino Kuurne, arrived in Savonlinna as a refugee from Karelia, the area Finland lost to Russia during the Second World War, and established his lifelong home in Pöllänlahti with Veera from Kerimäki. Eino worked for years as a construction contractor until he built the Timppa I on his own dock, bringing the first Timppa boat to the city’s waters. This boat was originally built in 1924 and had previously served as a log towboat, with a crew living aboard. In 1971, Eino and Veera started the Timppa boat cruise operations in Savonlinna harbor. In 1982, Eino built his second boat, Timppa II, by widening the hull of a shipwrecked vessel by two meters. Timppa II is a cruise boat specifically modified for inland water excursions, with roots significantly tied to the recent history of Savonlinna’s tourism industry.

For three decades, the Timppa boats were a defining sight in the Savonlinna market square. The boats were familiar to many, from babies to grandparents; over the years, Timppa hosted confirmation camps, student events, and war veteran cruises. The couple brought unique Saimaa experiences and soul nourishment to the area, as Veera used to say.

The heart of Eino and Veera’s successful business was, above all, a heartfelt and close relationship with the Saimaa waters, the local residents, and summer visitors. Eino’s distinctive cruise narrations and Veera’s freshly baked donuts on the boat were unique features of the area’s water tourism at the time. Having experienced war themselves, Eino and Veera were especially close to war veterans, whom the Kuurnes transported for free on their annual war veteran cruises. The Kuurnes, known for their personable nature, and their Timppa boats are still widely remembered among their old customers.

Years of Success and at the Heart of the Community

Timppa Boat’s cruise operations flourished throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s, offering a variety of experiences for both local residents and summer visitors. Timppa Boat became a central part of Savonlinna and its surroundings, quickly becoming a well-known sight in the city’s harbor.

The original Timppa boat, built in 1924, underwent many changes and improvements over the years. Eino, a warm and passionate captain, was always ready to share stories about the boat’s history and Lake Saimaa. Veera ensured that the cruises had a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Veera’s freshly baked donuts and Eino’s unique cruise narrations were specialties eagerly anticipated by many.

Timppa Boat hosted a wide range of events: confirmation camps, student events, war veteran cruises, and much more. The deck of Timppa Boat regularly saw high-ranking personnel from companies like Neste Oil and Nokia enjoying their recreation days, as well as international tourist groups savoring the cruise. These corporate leaders and key personnel took advantage of the opportunity to relax and strengthen team spirit, while tourists from around the world experienced the unique atmosphere of Lake Saimaa.

Locally, the boat became especially known for the annual student cruise of the teacher training program at the University of Eastern Finland, which carried the Timppa name for years even after the Timppa boats had ceased operations.

Eino and Veera’s dedication to the community was evident. Their warm and approachable personalities formed the soul of Timppa Boat. For many townspeople, Timppa Boat was more than just a cruise vessel; it was part of their lives, memories, and shared experiences.

Challenges and a New Opportunity

At the turn of the millennium, as Eino aged, cruise operations began to slowly decline. Activity on the boats was suspended, and the cruises were discontinued. The original Timppa boat and two other incomplete vessels were sold, but Timppa II was parked in Pöllänlahti, awaiting future adventures and preserved for future generations. However, the boat’s fate was uncertain, as it remained in the home port, exposed to the relentless wear of time and weather.

Years passed, and Timppa II began to look old and forgotten. The wooden parts of the boat started to decay, and the metal parts rusted. Many believed the boat had lost its former glory and would never sail the waters of Lake Saimaa again. The future of Timppa II looked bleak, and it was on the verge of fading into obscurity.

In 2020, almost twenty years after the cruise operations had ended, Eino and Veera’s daughter Birgitta Kuurne, along with her children Mika Muhonen, Kristiina Lindholm, and Leena Muhonen, decided it was time to restore their family legacy. For Mika especially, the fate of the boat was significant, as he had spent a lot of time aboard Timppa as a child and was particularly eager to restore the boat and its heritage. They had seen how much the boat meant to the community of Savonlinna, to its previous customers, and how it was a part of the area’s cultural history. In the spring of 2022, Birgitta’s children started the restoration project by taking Timppa II to the Laitaatsilta shipyard and embarked on an ambitious project to revive Timppa II to its former glory. Birgitta and her family began an extensive restoration effort to restore Timppa II so it could once again serve local residents and tourists. Their goal was to honor the boat’s rich history and ensure its preservation for future generations, while also bringing new vitality and significance to the Savonlinna community.

The project was a massive challenge. First, a new limited company was established for the revival of Timppa Boat, and the ownership of Timppa II was transferred from the estate to the newly formed Timppalaivat Oy. Restoration work began in the spring of 2021 with thorough research, planning, and the dismantling of the wooden structures of the boat. Everything that could be saved was carefully preserved and restored. New parts were meticulously selected to match the original style and structure of the boat. During the restoration we worked closely with local artisans and experts to ensure all work was done with respect for tradition and original quality.

Restoring the boat’s hull proved to be significantly more challenging than expected. The main contractor for the project, Laitaatsilta Shipyard Oy, faced severe financial difficulties in December 2022 and was nearly bankrupt. However, thanks to a restructuring confirmed in January 2023, the work was able to continue, though it caused significant delays to the project. Despite numerous setbacks, the ambitious Timppa II restoration project reached a significant milestone in the summer of 2023 when Timppa II became seaworthy and finally returned to Savonlinna harbor.

The hull was restored, and the interiors were cozy and traditional, but the details still required finishing touches. The work continued to fully restore the boat to its former glory. The family was proud of their achievement at this stage but knew there was still work to be done for Timppa II to fulfill its role as both a historical monument and a functional cruise boat. The intergenerational commitment to Lake Saimaa and maritime transport is evident in the operations of Timppa Boat, combining tradition, local expertise, and a love for Savonlinna’s unique nature and maritime culture. The current generation wants to maintain Eino and Veera’s spirit, offering relaxing experiences on the waters of Lake Saimaa to new and old customers alike.