Stage 1
Concept and naval architecture
Workshops define purpose, range and guest capacity. Naval architects then draw hull lines, stability and weight distribution in Rhino 3D.
100+ blueprints
Bira, South Sulawesi
The phinisi construction process, keel to mast
Konjo shell-first boatbuilding meets modern naval architecture: a CAD-designed, class-aligned yacht planked by hand on the beach at Tanah Beru, then fitted out and trialled.
- 18–24 Months to build
- 100+ Design blueprints
- 20 m+ Single-timber keel
- 50+ yrs Ironwood hull life
2017
UNESCO recognition
Heritage meets engineering
A UNESCO-recognised craft, built to modern standards
Phinisi boatbuilding was recognised by UNESCO in 2017. The process starts with a conversation and respect for Konjo knowledge, then turns raw timber into a vessel at a Bira yard roughly 155 kilometres from Makassar.
Tradition shapes the hull; technology shapes the plan. Stability, weight distribution and systems are drawn in CAD and aligned with classification rules before work begins.
- Shell-first hull Planks are shaped by eye and frames fitted afterwards, led by the punggawa.
- Ironwood keel Kayu ulin from Kalimantan, denser than water and resistant to marine borers.
- Class-aligned design Drawings meet Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (BKI) or international society requirements.
Six stages
How a phinisi is built
Hull work happens on the beach; engines, systems and interiors are completed afloat in a more controlled finishing facility.
Specification figures
The build in numbers
Figures from a typical Bira build, from the keel timber to the teak decking and below-waterline protection.
- Keel timber
- 20 m+
- Often a single ironwood length, sourced from Kalimantan.
- Ironwood density
- >1.0 g/cm³
- Heavy enough to sink in water; resists marine borers.
- Hull planking
- 5–7 cm
- Teak or ironwood, steamed and bent into place.
- Fastenings
- 316 stainless
- Marine-grade bolts combined with traditional wooden dowels.
- Exterior teak decking
- 250 m², 20 mm
- Over 250 m² of 20 mm planking, resilient to sun and salt.
- Below-waterline epoxy
- 3 coats min.
- Marine epoxy resin applied below the waterline.
- Hull weight on completion
- 100+ tons
- Completed hull alone, before deck and superstructure are built.
- Design range
- 1,500+ nm
- Typical operational range defined at the concept stage.
Figures are typical values stated for builds at the yard; each vessel's specification is fixed at design stage.
Owner safeguards
Where tradition gets a modern check
The yard keeps Konjo methods for the hull and adds modern controls where longevity and safety depend on them.
Stage five
The mechanical heart of a wooden hull
A modern phinisi is a fusion of wood and wire. Engine installation needs precise positioning and alignment within the timber hull, and plumbing, wiring and ducting must stay clean, accessible and compliant with maritime safety codes.
- Recognised marine diesels Yanmar, MAN or Caterpillar, single or twin, sized to displacement.
- Comfort and safety systems Generators, desalination, air conditioning, navigation and communication electronics.
- Service across Indonesia Brands chosen for reliability, efficiency and ease of service in the archipelago.
Build Process guide
Keep reading this guide
Every stage of a phinisi build, from design freeze to handover.
FAQ
Construction questions
Typically 18 to 24 months, depending on size, complexity and interior specification. Naval architecture and design can take several months before physical construction starts on the beach in Bira.
Ironwood (kayu ulin) for the keel and frames, for its density and resistance to borers and rot. High-grade teak (kayu jati) for hull and deck planking and much of the joinery. All timber is sustainably and legally sourced.
Yes. The yard works with international naval architects and interior design firms chosen by clients, translating their designs into reality through Konjo craftsmen and technical teams.
Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (BKI) rules for commercial charter in Indonesian waters. For international recognition, vessels can be built in liaison with bodies such as RINA or Lloyd's Register.
Yes. The keel is laid and the hull planked and framed on the beach at Tanah Beru or Bira. The hull is then launched and moved to a harbour or finishing facility for engines, systems and interiors.
Visits are expected. Regular reports carry photographs and video, and client visits are encouraged at key stages: the keel-laying ceremony, hull completion and installation of major systems.
Build desk
Begin your phinisi legacy
Start a confidential discussion about commissioning your own vessel, from naval architecture to sea trials and classification.
+62 811-3941-4563 · bd@juaraholding.com