"I have a dream!" Vladimir Martous in the midst of
realizing his eccentric creative vision.
Three years ago Vladimir Martous and friends worked out it would be cheaper to build their own replica 18th century vessel and sail to a classic boat show in France than to fly there.
So they did.
Now this enterprising sailor is at it again -- rebuilding Peter the Great's original warship.
St Petersburg's founder designed the vessel himself after returning from visits to British and Dutch shipyards. In Holland, the tsar worked as a regular shipwright's apprentice for several months.
When completed, the Shtandart will be 37 meters (121 feet) long and have 28 cannons -- at least three of which will be the real thing.
Why does Mr Martous, 29, a naval architect whose thesis was on the computer modeling of propellers, build ships with nary a computer or propeller in sight?
"Maritime heritage is a big part of Russian culture that has been completely lost," he said.
"Plus, I love sailing, being on the water, and I want to share that experience with others."
Among those sharing the Shtandart experience is English historian and yachtsman Greg Palmer, 57, who met the crew of the first, smaller, ship in 1992 when it was accidentally beached on the "Gun Fleet" sandbar off Harwich, England, his home.
"The following week I left for Russia with them -- to the surprise of my wife," Mr Palmer said.
He is one of a team of 40 people working on the new ship. Most are volunteers, some are youths working through a city employment program.
So far about 500 oak trees have gone into the ship. Another 1,000 are needed.
Each is a damaged or dead tree earmarked for destruction.
Building methods are authentic down to the fact that there are no plans for the ship.
The group has a few modern tools such as a chain saw, but when that was stolen at one stage they pressed on with a hand saw.
And what do the team intend doing with the ship when they complete it late next year?
Answers range from a museum ship to a training vessel, a goodwill symbol for Russia to a corporate flagship. One thing all agree on -- it will be a seagoing sailing ship rather than just a static exhibit.