The following is the English translation of a joint press release by the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) and the Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology, and Transport.
The legendary sailboat of Nándor Fa and József Gál is once again open to the public in fully restored, working condition at the Jenő Cholnoky Marina in Révfülöp, Hungary. Visitors can see the boat that first set sail 40 years ago and discover the remarkable story of the two sailors who became the first Hungarians to circumnavigate the Globe. They did so in a small, self-built sailboat under 10 metres (32 feet) long and with a total surface area of barely 15 square metres (161 square feet).
The exhibition marks the beginning of a 700-day series of events commemorating their 700-day voyage.
The Balaton 31-type St Jupát, named after the patron saint of canoeists, set sail on 26 September 1985. It had been built over five years by two adventurous young men from Székesfehérvár, Fa and Gál. During their more than 700 days at sea, they covered roughly 60,000 kilometres, braved waves up to seven metres high, and successfully completed their circumnavigation of the world.
Thanks to a partnership between MCC and the Hungarian Museum of Technology and Transport, the St Jupát was relaunched on Lake Balaton in September 2024 after undergoing a full restoration inside and out. The engine was refurbished; the hull above and below the waterline was repaired; the ageing plexiglass deck windows were replaced; and the exterior cladding was polished. The mast’s entire rigging system was renewed, and two new sails were installed to protect the original downwind sails. The interior was also thoroughly cleaned, preserving its authentic appearance.
The museum and MCC aim to use this unique relic of Hungarian maritime history to introduce younger generations to sailing, the world of Lake Balaton, and inspiring feats of human achievement. Now restored to its original splendour, the sailboat will soon embark on a new adventure as part of the MCC Generations Meeting 2025–26 initiative. Further information about upcoming events in the series will be available on the institutions’ websites and social media channels.
‘The story of St Jupát is a symbol of Hungarian ingenuity and refusal to accept the impossible. It was the dream of two young men with little money but boundless curiosity, living in a landlocked country behind the Iron Curtain. No business consultancy or venture capital firm would have backed such a plan—by rational expectations, it should have failed. And yet they succeeded. This should inspire all of us, and especially young people today, not to give up on our dreams even when the world tells us otherwise,’ Director General of the Hungarian Museum of Technology and Transport Domonkos Schneller has stated.
‘Every nation has its icons and symbols. Nándor Fa and József Gál are ours, and the St Jupát is one of the symbols of our history. This Hungarian boat, built with our own hands, proved on the world’s oceans that if something is done with enough care and humility, it can withstand even the greatest storms,’ Head of the MCC Business Workshop Zoltán Kovács said at a press conference marking the anniversary.
MCC’s talent development programmes place great emphasis on connecting students with national icons and symbols. As part of this, MCC students who are experienced sailors are preparing to take part in a challenging ocean race with Nándor Fa, one of the highlights of the MCC Generations Meeting 2025–26 and the 700 Days of St Jupát series.
At the Cholnoky Jenő Children’s and Youth Harbour Student Camp, where hundreds of young people can stay at a time, MCC uses sailing education not only to teach nautical skills but also to build community and pass on Lake Balaton’s sporting and sailing traditions. Strengthening ties with the local community is also a key priority, and MCC regularly welcomes local schoolchildren and kindergarten groups to take part in sailing-related programmes.
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