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Aerial view of a beach shipyard with hulls under construction

New build · South Sulawesi

Phinisi New Build

Commission a hand-built phinisi from the master shipwrights of South Sulawesi: ironwood hull, teak decks, built to your brief in 12–24 months.

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The short answer

A new phinisi is built by hand in South Sulawesi from ironwood and teak, typically in 12–24 months. Luxury builds run USD 1.2M–3.5M, indicative and confirmed on enquiry. International clients commission through a structured process: brief, materials, build and finishing.

Build and budget

Where to go next once you are weighing a new build.

Commissioning a phinisi

Each build follows the same four stages, whatever its size.

  1. 01

    Brief

    Size, cabins, use and budget, agreed before work starts.

  2. 02

    Materials

    Ironwood for the hull, teak for decks, canvas sails.

  3. 03

    Build

    Master shipwrights build by oral tradition, not blueprints.

  4. 04

    Final touches

    Sanding, sealing and painting before she goes to sea.

Start a build brief

The shipwrights

Indoor dining saloon finished in teak

Built by the Panrita Lopi

The phinisi is the ship of the Bugis and Makassarese people of South Sulawesi. Its master shipwrights, the Panrita Lopi, inherit their skills through oral tradition, and the craft was recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017.

  • Beach yards At Tana Beru, hulls are still laid down on the sand, as for centuries.
  • Modern yards Shipyard facilities add modern resources alongside traditional methods.
  • Sustainability Responsibly sourced ironwood and teak, less waste, low-impact sourcing.
Custom builds Phinisi price & cost

From hull to sail

What the brief decides: the hull, the rig and the teak on deck. Photos are illustrative.

Phinisi under full sail below Komodo hills
01 Traditional rig under full sail
White phinisi under sail
02 Canvas sails, a nod to heritage
Aerial view of a phinisi among islands
03 Ironwood hull built for open water
Teak upper deck of a phinisi under sail
04 Teak decking and finishing
Red-sail phinisi anchored below hills
05 Finished, painted and seaworthy

Build at a glance

Months to build
12–24
Luxury new build, indicative
USD 1.2M–3.5M
UNESCO heritage recognition
2017
Core materials: ironwood, teak, canvas
3

Figures indicative, confirmed on enquiry.

Before you commission

What we check on a build, and who a new phinisi suits.

What we check

  • Master shipwright credentials
  • Construction materials
  • Traditional vs modern techniques
  • Estimated build timeline

Who it suits

  • International yacht owners
  • Investors in maritime heritage
  • Clients seeking bespoke luxury
  • Cultural preservation advocates

Buying a phinisi guide

Good to know

Building a phinisi

Is it phinisi or pinisi?

Both. They are the same traditional Indonesian sailing ship; the spelling varies with transliteration.

Where are phinisi built?

In South Sulawesi, mainly at Tana Beru and Bira in Bulukumba, known for skilled craftsmen and traditional boatbuilding.

How long does a custom phinisi take?

Typically 12–24 months, depending on the size, complexity and specification of the build.

Who are the Panrita Lopi?

The master shipwrights of South Sulawesi. They inherit their skills through oral tradition and guide every build without blueprints.

All boat sales FAQ
Phinisi sailing at golden hour

Ready to commission a phinisi?

Share the size, cabins and timeline you have in mind. We reply with indicative figures and the next steps for a build.

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