THE HISTORY OF A TRADITION

Historically, the Phinisi was born from a legend from an ancestral tradition of the Southern islands of Sulawesi. For the longest time, this vessel was reserved for the commercial trade. Today however, the Phinisi has become a sophisticated maritime tradition.

Its architecture is the unique combination of old constructions typically found in the Bugis-Makassar culture, and inspiration from modern European and American ships from the early 19th century.

COMBINING TIMELESS DESIGN WITH 21ST CENTURY ENGINEERING

Centuries ago, Indonesia’s wooden Phinisi boats were used to carry exotic spices, sandalwood and textiles through the ancient spice trading route. Boat builders in Sulawesi would take years to handcraft the vessels on the beach, a labor intensive yet methodical process that was guided by ritual. In December 2017, UNESCO recognised South Sulawesi’s hand-crafted sailing yachts as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ and their unique legacy lives on today in our modern Phinisi yachts, re-purposed for cruising, diving and recreation.

At Yacht Sourcing, we work with Indonesia’s few remaining Phinisi craftsmen to create custom sailing vessels ranging in length from 18 to 60 metres. Staying true to the traditional architecture of the Bugis-Makassar culture, we use fine Indonesian teak and ironwood and craft multiple sails for the traditional twin masts.

Our clients can choose from a range of finishes and designs to cater to today’s discerning traveler, from ultra-spacious deck areas for yoga or relaxing to luxe soundproof suites for a good night’s sleep. All of our new builds are fitted out with the latest technological systems and are built to modern standards while ensuring a maximum level of quality, comfort, sustainability and efficiency. From design to delivery, we provide a comprehensive service that encompasses conceptualisation, budgeting, time scheduling, project management, shipyard co-ordination and warranties.

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PHINISI STORY

BOROBUDUR

Indonesian traditional vessels and sails were first to appear on the ancient temple of Borobudur in Central Java. Touring the temple and its relief carvings, you can find several panels that depict ships that crossed to Indonesia through the Indian Ocean, bringing followers of the Buddha in search of enlightenment.

MAJAPAHIT

The Borobudur vessels were known to be used in the Majapahit navy, along with many different wooden ships. The Majapahit Empire used jongs as its main source of naval power. The djong, jong, or jung (also called junk in English) is a type of ancient sailing ship originating from Java that was widely used by Javanese and Malay sailors.

EARLY 20TH CENTURY

The first Sulawesi-made phinisi is thought to have been built for the first time in 1906. Phinisi were the engineless trading ships built and sailed in the 20th century by the seafaring cultures of South Sulawesi, most notably the Bugis and the Makassar people. They featured a tall, powerful, topsail-ketch rig, permanently standing gaff.

MODERN ERA

As with many traditional ship types, phinisi have been provided with motors, largely since 1970. Comparable to modern dhows, the masts have been shortened, while structures on deck, usually aft, have been enlarged for the crew and passengers. The phinisi is often modified into yacht charter boats by foreigner investors for tourism purposes.

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PRESENT

FROM NEW BUILDS TO REFITS

Over the years, from new builds deliveries to refurbishments and renovations, our team has been working on some renowned Phinisi projects. The year 2020 marks a milestone as Yacht Sourcing has launched 2 Phinisi yachts, will launch 2 more in the same year and started working on 2 outstanding 45m projects. If you’re interested in a Phinisi construction project, please contact our team of talented technicians for any help or advise.