I visited Irkutsk in the early 90's. The scientists working at the Lake Baikal Freshwater Institute had assembled a truly impressive ~35' boat, complete with sleeping quarters & a full galley, mostly out of salvaged scrap from a plane crash of a few years earlier. The engine was from an old GAZ truck, the electrics from who knows.

It was a fascinating visit, and the degree to which people made the best they could with what they had made a strong impression.