What makes a yacht build custom rather than production?

Ownership of the design decisions. In a custom build the general arrangement, cabin count, materials and finish level are set by you with the design team, and the contract reflects that unique specification rather than a standard model with option boxes.

Can I bring my own naval architect or interior designer?

Yes. Owners regularly pair their own designers with our engineering and yard supervision. The studio integrates external drawings into the build specification and remains responsible for making them buildable in Indonesian yards.

Are Bali custom builds good quality compared to Europe?

Different, honestly. Indonesian yards lead the world in traditional hardwood construction and deliver strong value in composite work, at labour costs well below Europe. Precision metal fabrication and exotic systems integration remain European strengths. We match the project to what the network genuinely does well.

What deposit does a custom build require?

Builds are paid in stages tied to milestones — typically a signing deposit, then instalments at keel laying, hull completion, systems installation, launch and handover. Funds fall due only as verified progress is reached, and the schedule is fixed in the contract.

Phinisi under full sail in Komodo National Park

Custom yacht builders, design first

The boat is drawn around your itinerary, guest count and budget before a single plank is ordered.

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What design led actually means

A production yard sells you a boat it already knows how to build. We start from a blank general arrangement.

Cabin count, draft for the reefs you will anchor over, range between fuel stops, where the crew sleep so service stays invisible. Those decisions are made in the Denpasar studio with naval architects.

Simple to change on paper. Costly to change in ironwood. Only then does the specification go to the yard.

Studio where every brief starts: Denpasar
Where the hulls are built: Bali and Sulawesi
Honest USD build bands: 600k to 8M

Three routes

Semi custom, full custom, one off

Honest builders distinguish three routes. We will tell you which one fits, and why, before contract.

Semi custom

Most predictable

A proven hull form with your layout and interior. Fastest route, and the easiest to price.

Full custom

Most owners

A new design brief built with established construction methods. The usual answer here.

One off

Real engineering risk

New hull forms or unusual materials. Priced and scheduled openly, never buried.

What the Bali program covers

From the first drawing to the day you take the keys.

Design
Naval architecture and interior design, drawn to your operating profile.
Contract
Build contract and permits, with the specification written in.
Hull
Construction with scheduled inspections you are welcome to attend.
Fit out
Systems and joinery integrated at Benoa.
Class
BKI survey, with RINA and Lloyds arrangements where a project needs them.
Handover
Sea trials, documentation and warranty.

Progress is documented weekly and the yard is open to you at any stage.

Budget honestly, then design to it

Bring a real number to the first meeting and the design will respect it.

A new phinisi: USD 600k to 1.2M
30m to 40m luxury builds: USD 1.8 to 3M
45m and above: USD 4 to 8M

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

Before you commission

Tell us what you want to build

What you want to operate or own, where, and when. We reply with an honest read on band, timeline and the right route.

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Custom yacht builders, design first

What design led actually means