How To Reach Our Concierge

Your primary point of contact for all new commissions is our dedicated client concierge. This is not a sales desk, but rather a specialised liaison service designed to understand the scope and ambition of your project. The concierge acts as your advocate and guide, ensuring your initial questions are answered with clarity and that your brief is directed to the appropriate technical and design leads within our organisation. We facilitate a structured and thoughtful onboarding process for every potential client.

To begin the conversation, we encourage you to provide as much preliminary detail as you are comfortable sharing. Information such as the desired length overall (LOA), intended guest and crew capacity, operational purpose—be it for private bluewater cruising, luxury charter, or scientific expedition—and any existing concept designs or specification sheets will allow for a more productive initial discussion. This foundational information enables our team to grasp the essence of your vision from the outset.

Our role as a premier boat builder in Indonesia is to serve as a collaborative partner. The concierge service is the gateway to this partnership, ensuring a seamless flow of information. Whether your vision is fully formed or still a nascent idea, our team is structured to engage at any stage, helping to refine concepts, explore possibilities, and establish the parameters for a successful build in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago’s maritime heritage.

Response Time & Process

A custom yacht build is a deliberate and considered process, and our communication reflects this philosophy. Upon receiving your initial enquiry, you can expect an automated acknowledgement immediately, confirming we have your details. A personal follow-up from our concierge will then occur within 24 to 48 business hours. This is not a generic template response; it is a considered reply based on the information you have provided.

Our internal process involves a review of your enquiry by senior project management. We believe that a project of this magnitude deserves attention from our most experienced personnel from the very first interaction. Following this review, typically within three to five business days, our concierge will either provide a detailed response to your preliminary questions or propose a time for an introductory video conference. This allows for a direct, personal conversation to explore the project in greater depth.

This measured approach ensures that when we engage in a substantive discussion, we do so with a clear understanding of your objectives and the resources required. It is a testament to the meticulous planning and project management that defines every commission we undertake. This careful, unhurried process is a hallmark of the commitment every boat builder in Indonesia in our network applies to their craft, ensuring a foundation of clarity and mutual understanding before the first piece of timber is ever selected.

Languages We Operate In

Our operations are global, and our communication is structured for absolute clarity across borders. The primary language for all contractual agreements, technical specifications, project management reporting, and client correspondence is English. This ensures a consistent and legally sound framework for the entire duration of the build, eliminating ambiguity and providing a clear record for all stakeholders, from the client’s team to naval architects and classification societies.

On the ground in Sulawesi, our project managers and senior craftsmen are fluent in Bahasa Indonesia, the national language. Furthermore, they are deeply integrated into the local communities of Bira and Bulukumba, communicating with the build teams in the regional Bugis language. This linguistic and cultural fluency is critical for authentically translating the intricate, often unwritten, traditions of the *panrita lopi*—the master phinisi builders—into the structured process of a modern yacht construction project.

Your dedicated project manager serves as the essential bridge between these worlds. They are not merely translators but bicultural and bilingual professionals who can articulate the nuance of a client’s request to a Bugis craftsman and explain the subtleties of traditional woodworking to an international naval architect. This seamless integration ensures that nothing is lost in translation and that the soul of the phinisi tradition is preserved within a vessel built to precise, contemporary standards.

Office Hours & Time Zones

Our core administrative and project management operations are based in Indonesia and run on Central Indonesia Time (WITA), which is UTC+8. This time zone governs our day-to-day scheduling for our teams in Bali and Makassar. We kindly ask that you consider this when anticipating responses to non-urgent correspondence.

However, we recognise that our clients, brokers, and design partners are located across the globe. We maintain a flexible approach to communication to accommodate this reality. Scheduled calls and virtual meetings are arranged to suit your preferred time zone, whether you are in London, Monaco, Singapore, or Los Angeles. Our commitment is to be accessible and responsive, bridging the geographical distance through disciplined and well-planned communication.

The shipyards in Bira and Bulukumba operate on a rhythm dictated by tradition, community, and the tropical sun. Work typically begins shortly after dawn to take advantage of the cooler morning hours and respects the calls to prayer throughout the day. While direct communication with the shipyard floor follows this local schedule, your project manager remains your consistent point of contact, operating within a framework that serves the global nature of the project.

Visiting Sulawesi (Bira / Bulukumba shipyards / Tanjung Bira) Indonesia — Logistics

A visit to the shipyards is an essential part of the commissioning journey, offering an unparalleled insight into the craftsmanship that defines our vessels. The journey begins with a flight to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi. From Makassar, the ship-building heartland of Bulukumba is approximately a four to five-hour drive south, a scenic journey through rice paddies and coastal villages.

Our concierge service extends to arranging all ground logistics for your visit. This includes a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a trusted local driver for the transfer from Makassar. While the region is celebrated for its boat building, luxury accommodation is nascent. We will recommend the best available options, typically comfortable resorts and villas near the white sands of Tanjung Bira, which serves as a pleasant base for your visit to the nearby shipyards of Bira, Tana Beru, and Ara.

A site visit is a deeply immersive experience. You will not find a modern, sterile facility but a living, breathing testament to maritime heritage. You will walk the beachfront where these magnificent vessels are built by hand, see the massive ironwood (*kayu ulin*) keels laid upon the sand, and hear the rhythmic sounds of adzes shaping teak (*kayu jati*) planks. A senior project manager from Boat Builder Indonesia will personally guide you, facilitating conversations with the master craftsmen and providing context to the extraordinary process unfolding before you.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Commissioning Process

What is a realistic budget for a custom phinisi?

The budget for a custom phinisi varies significantly based on length, gross tonnage, interior fit-out complexity, and technical specifications. As a preliminary guide, high-quality new builds typically start from €100,000 per metre of length overall. A highly specified, luxury charter-standard vessel will command a higher investment. We provide a detailed preliminary estimate after our initial consultation, ensuring a transparent understanding of the projected costs based on your specific brief and requirements for your project with a boat builder in Indonesia.

How long does a typical build take?

A custom phinisi construction is a meticulous process, generally requiring 18 to 30 months from the signing of the contract to the vessel’s launch. The exact timeline depends on the vessel’s size, the complexity of the engineering and interior systems, and the level of customisation. The curing time for the tropical hardwoods and the handcrafted nature of the build are key factors. We develop a detailed project timeline with key milestones, which is shared and updated throughout the construction period.

Can I use my own naval architect and interior designer?

Absolutely. We operate on a collaborative model and welcome the opportunity to work with your chosen naval architect and interior design team. Our role is to facilitate this collaboration, providing our specialised knowledge of traditional Bugis construction methods and local materials to ensure their designs are executed faithfully and to the highest standard. We believe the best vessels are born from a synergy of international design expertise and authentic Indonesian craftsmanship, a core principle for our work as a boat builder in Indonesia.

What are the primary materials you use?

We build with the finest tropical hardwoods, honouring centuries of tradition. The keel and frames are constructed from ironwood (*kayu ulin*), a timber renowned for its incredible density and durability in a marine environment. For the hull and deck planking, we use high-grade teak (*kayu jati*), selected for its stability, weather resistance, and beautiful grain. All timber is sourced through legal, vetted channels, ensuring responsible forestry practices are followed for a sustainable and lasting legacy.

Are your vessels built to international standards?

Yes. While the construction methods are traditional, the engineering, safety, and stability standards are modern and internationally recognised. We build vessels in compliance with the rules of classification societies such as the Italian RINA (Registro Italiano Navale) or the Indonesian BKI (Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia). This ensures the vessel meets stringent requirements for structural integrity, safety equipment, and seaworthiness, making it suitable for commercial charter or private world cruising.

How involved can I be in the build process?

We encourage clients to be as involved as they wish. Your participation transforms the project from a simple purchase into a personal journey. We provide comprehensive monthly progress reports with detailed photography and written updates. Furthermore, we schedule site visits at critical milestones, such as the keel laying, the completion of the hull, and the installation of the main engines. Your dedicated project manager is always available to facilitate additional visits or provide specific updates upon request.

What is the payment structure for a new build?

The financial framework for a new commission is based on a clear, milestone-driven payment schedule. This structure ensures that payments are tied to tangible progress in the construction of your vessel. An initial deposit secures the project, with subsequent instalments due upon the completion of key stages, such as keel laying, hull completion, deck installation, and final handover. This transparent, phased approach provides financial security and aligns our progress directly with your investment throughout the build.

Do you manage the interior design and fit-out?

Yes, we offer a complete turnkey solution. Our service extends beyond the hull and superstructure to encompass the entire interior fit-out. We can work with your designated interior designer or provide our own experienced team to develop and execute a design that reflects your aesthetic. We manage skilled joiners, electricians, and technicians to install everything from bespoke cabinetry and fine upholstery to state-of-the-art navigation systems, ensuring a cohesive and impeccably finished vessel.

Where and how are the boats launched?

The launch is a remarkable and culturally significant event. Phinisi are built on the beaches of Bira, Tana Beru, and Ara in South Sulawesi. They are launched directly from their construction site into the sea in a traditional ceremony that involves the entire community. This centuries-old method is a powerful spectacle, connecting the new vessel to its ancestral roots. Following the traditional launch, the boat is motored to a nearby port for final commissioning and sea trials.

What after-sales support do you offer?

Our relationship with our clients extends well beyond the handover. We provide a comprehensive warranty period covering all aspects of the build. Additionally, we offer ongoing support services, including the development of customised maintenance schedules, sourcing of spare parts, and assistance with crew placement and training. Our goal is to ensure you enjoy a seamless ownership experience and that your vessel is maintained to the highest possible standard for years to come.