How much does it cost to build a phinisi through Bali?

Published honest bands: USD 600,000–1.2 million for a standard 20–30 m new build, USD 1.8–3 million for 30–40 m luxury class, USD 4–8 million for 45 m+ superyacht class. Interior finish level and systems specification move the number more than length.

Why is the hull built in Sulawesi and not in Bali?

Because that is where the craft lives. South Sulawesi's shipwright communities hold generations of phinisi-building knowledge and the timber supply chains that go with it. Bali contributes design, contracts, supervision access and fit-out infrastructure — the combination is stronger than either alone.

Can I visit the yard while my phinisi is being built?

Yes — scheduled inspection visits are part of the program, timed to key stages: keel laying, hull planking complete, deck on, systems in. Between visits you receive photo and video progress reports from your project manager.

Will my phinisi be able to charter in Komodo legally?

Yes, with the right structure: an Indonesian company (PT PMA, foreign shareholding capped at 49% for shipping), SIUPAL licensing and Indonesian flag registration, since cabotage law reserves domestic charter for Indonesian-flagged vessels. We plan the structure alongside the build so the boat can work from delivery.

Phinisi projects, managed from Bali

Designed and contracted in Denpasar, hulls laid by master shipwrights in South Sulawesi, finished and launched for Benoa or Labuan Bajo.

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Sulawesi craftsmanship, Bali accountability

The phinisi is the signature vessel of Indonesia, and the knowledge that builds one lives in South Sulawesi shipwright families.

What we add is the management layer owners outside Indonesia actually need: naval architecture and contracts in Denpasar, scheduled hull inspections you can reach on a morning flight, and fit out at Benoa or Labuan Bajo.

The hull goes up in ulin below the waterline with teak decks, shaped by eye and adze, then meets marine certified engines, watermakers, navigation and tropical HVAC.

Hull and deck timber: Ulin and teak
Build time by class: 12 to 30 mo
When survey happens, not after: During build

Three classes

Standard, luxury and superyacht class

Interior finish and systems move the number more than length does.

Standard

20 to 30 m

A new phinisi at working scale. Twelve to eighteen months from contract.

Luxury class

30 to 40 m

More cabins, deeper finish and heavier systems. Eighteen to twenty four months.

Superyacht class

45 m and above

Built to class, on owner specification. Twenty four months and up.

From lineage to charter ready yacht

Survey happens during construction, not after it.

Brief
Operating profile and general arrangement, drawn in Denpasar.
Contract
Fixed specification and milestone payments, agreed before the keel.
Keel
Laid in South Sulawesi, in ironwood, by the families who build these.
Planking
Hull shaped by eye and adze, with inspection visits timed to the stage.
Systems
Engines, generators, watermakers and navigation fitted at Benoa.
Launch
Rig, sea trials and handover for Benoa or Labuan Bajo.

Between visits you receive photo and video progress reports from your project manager.

A phinisi under full sail in Komodo National Park

Phinisi price bands

Cabin count, rig complexity and classification are what move these.

Standard new build, 20 to 30m: USD 600k to 1.2M
Luxury class, 30 to 40m: USD 1.8 to 3M
Superyacht class, 45m and above: USD 4 to 8M

Planning ranges in USD, not quotes. Final pricing follows the design brief and specification.

Before you commission

Start a phinisi project

Tell us the itinerary you want to run, the guest count and the season you want to launch in. We reply with an honest read on class, band and timeline.

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Phinisi projects, managed from Bali

Sulawesi craftsmanship, Bali accountability