Dozens of wooden ships have since been built, but the club has also collected some historic pieces, like the first ice-breaker ever built in the region. It used to open the navigating season on the Lake Onega. In the twilight of the USSR it would have ended up as scrap metal, but the club saved this piece of Soviet maritime history to turn it into a part of the museum.

Most of the money is made in the summer – scores of tourists come for boat trips and adventure tours. Russia’s filmmakers are among his clients, and Viktor also creates custom-made ships.

For Viktor it’s not only about profit, but he also wants to make sailing a part of every Russian’s life.

“In the West there’s a whole yachting industry. For many Russians a yacht is something only Abramovich has. But it’s a sport, it’s a part of our history, it's about leisure too,” he said.

A taste for sea travel the old way draws enthusiasts from far and wide. Two years ago Aleksandr Karachev left Moscow to learn the art of sailing.

“Each boat here is different, some offer quite basic living conditions, others can match a five star hotel. But being on the water is always unpredictable,” he said.

Already used to sea storms, Viktor hopes fresh ideas will also keep him afloat in times of financial turmoil. The family believes that even during these tough times there will always be those who will want a taste of adventure.