The Flipper 640 DC was the first boat we owned. It was also the first boat to teach me how to handle the lines and my role when docking. Our Flipper also taught me to enjoy boating. This post is probably more for me than you. You see, this Spring we sold our Flipper.
Flipper is a Finnish boat brand made in the town of Kuopio. Finland actually has many great boatmakers, as many who went to the Boot Dusseldorf this year must’ve noticed. What I loved and still love about the Flipper is it’s appearance. As many might agree, it’s a very cool boat. The designer is Norwegian Espen Thorup – he sure knows style.
Our Flipper had a small cabin, big enough for two to sleep in. No head (ie. toilet) though!
The upholstery was really to my liking – the color and feel of it. I also liked the fold-out table even though it sometimes was in the way.
The motor was a Mercury 150. It sure went fast!
I must admit I shed a few tears when I visited our Flipper for the last time. Here’s a compilation of the great times we had during our two years together. The photos are from my old Istagram account and I apologize for the lopsided horizons – they are an eyesore I know!
Yeah, all geared up to go.
One of my favourite things about our Flipper was the speed.
I practiced driving the boat a bit but I was usually in charge of the lines.
We often took our Flipper out for an outing to my favourite pizzeria by the sea, Skiffer. With a sailing boat it won’t be as easy to just take it out and go to places like this.
The picture below was from a trip to my work’s recreation island. It was so sunny that we had to put the top up. And yes, you heard right. An island as a work benefit!
We visited Iso-Vasikkasaari island for day trips several times.
In Suomenlinna I managed somehow to fall off the dock when trying to reach for the boat. Into the icy cold water. In May. Oh yes. This picture was from a summer’s evening when the docking went much better.
A collage of a trip to Stora Herrö.
A break at Gåsgrund island.
Kaunissaari which means beautiful island. These days I’m very particular that my photos aren’t crooked like this, yikes.
These kinds of serene views and blue skies are the best.
Approaching Tallinn.
We stayed two nights in Tallinn on the Flipper. It felt like camping as everything seemed to always be in the wrong place and bags had to be moved from here to there constantly. It only took us two hours to cross the Baltic Sea and be in another country!
Evening at Old City Marina, Tallinn. It was unbelievable how hot it was that summer. We were sweating all night.
Summer evenings in Finland are beautiful.
That reminds me, I haven’t been knitting for a while.
A perfect Finnish summer evening is finished off with a sauna.
Nine pm and the sun was still shining brightly.
So quiet.
Magical nights. I hope our Flipper has a nice family in Sweden – they will be in for a good time so hopefully they love the Flipper like I did.
Thank you for reading! Do you like boating or sailing? Would you rather have a motorboat or a sailing boat? We have now switched to sailing – you can read about our sailing boat here.
xx
The Life and Travels of Mrs Suvi 
Bye-bye, Flipper! All I did was one week in early October in south Mediterranean on a sailboat big enough to host 12. We were 9 and I was the only woman. All the rest had their skipper licences, so I felt spoilt, needing to do nothing at all. However, after a gust of strong wind almost turned us upside down, the guys realised that sailing takes both hands, and since one was around a beer at all times, we continued by motor. Splendid all in all. I liked sleeping in a different beautiful Croatian port or just a little nook every night the best. Reaching a well-known town from the water and then sleeping in its historic centre while tourist hordes march along but you are tucked away from it all on the sea is truly something. Wishing you many happy sea adventures to come!
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Wow your trip sounds amazing and that sailing boat was huge! I would love to sail in warm waters, it’s too cold in Finland for my comfort 😉
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I love boats, I love the water, but I don’t have a boat or even a canoe. Maybe I need to cultivate better friends … with boats 😉
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Next time you meet someone, try to nonchalantly ask if they have a boat 😉
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hehe!! A different kind of ice-breaker question 😉
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Cool memory lane post. 🙂
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Thank you Matti 😀
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Loved the tribute to Flipper. I prefer speed to coasting but I’d love to try some time on a sailboat. I’ve never owned a boat of my own, but I love being on them.
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Now the comments are showing up! The joy of blogging hey 😛
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They look like they were wonderful trips and Flipper was very good to you. I love to be on the water. I prefer speed but enjoy cruising along as well. I’ve never actually been on a speedboat. I hope you really enjoy the new boat with all the adventures awaiting you.
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Thank you Joanna for your kind words! I must say I am a fan of speed too but its quite nice to sail without the sound of the motor as well 💕
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I actually meant to say I’ve never been on a sailboat. My iPhone is not playing nice with WordPress tonight, so comments aren’t showing up, combining with comments to other and I’m getting confused. Oh, well, the fun continues.
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We grew up with boats. Dad made several of them. He was a builder and he liked to make boats when he wasn’t working as a house builder. We grew up by the sea and spent most of our childhood on it or in it….wonderful.
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Wow that’s amazing Debra! Thank you for sharing 💕
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Definitely prefer yachts but motor boats are nice too. Lovely photos!
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Thanks Marion, I think now I can say that I like both 😎
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Lovely images! We don’t have sea or coast here in Jaipur so I can only admire your pictures!
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Thank you for your encouragement, I am happy to hear your kind words 😊
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🙂
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Looks like lots of good times! Only 2 hours to Tallinn! You were faster than the large cruisers! 🙂
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Thanks Snow! Yes must say it was very convenient with a fast boat of your own – no waiting in line and all that! BUT the downside is that the gas is so expensive that it cost many times as much as it would’ve on one of those large cruisers 😦 Well, no worries about that any longer with the sailing boat 😛
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Is there any kind of border control when you arrive with your own boat?
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No nothing! Unless you are coming from outside the EU. You must have your passports with you though in case there are spot checks. If you are going to Old City Marina you have to request to enter but that’s for everyone because of the cruise ships. 😎
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I have only experienced a small row boat. 😢 but would love to get out on the water for an adventure, some day! This post is amazing! Looks so fun! Your photos are beautiful and I especially like to “feet” photos!😃
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Laura, thank you so much for your lovely comment ❤ I do love a rowing boat on a lake too, it has it's own feel – very Finnish too! xx
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I know what it is to love a boat. We have had Seabrina (the name is a combination of my children’s names), a 19-foot sailing “yacht” since 1995. She’s gotten old and rickety, takes on water, is slow and too small for more than an afternoon’s sail (despite a cabin that fits five if you squeeze.) But despite the lure of a newer bigger boat, I love her lines, the way she strains as she catches the wind and bounces over the waves. She’ll sail in even the lightest air. I mostly sail with my 87-year-old Dad, my sailing teacher back in my teens. And every sail is perfect — even if we crash into a dock, find ourselves becalmed or catch a perfect breeze. (I could go on…but I won’t.) Thanks for your love letter to Flipper. So lovely.
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Oh Mary, you speak so beautifully of Seabrina! And how wonderful that your father is still enthusiastic about sailing at his age – that’s something to aim for!!
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