Here are a few of the many photos we have from our three trips to Indonesia, two of which were related to the construction of the
36m Phinisi, and a third trip in 2006 to begin construction of a 36m Kapal Layar Mesin (KLM) for charter use. Please see the links below for more information about these boats.
2001: The first group of photos is from our trip to Indonesia
during July and August of 2001. Our purpose in going there
was to research the local Phinisi types in
order to create the design for a new 36m Indonesian
Phinisi.
This group of images is from the towns of Ara and Tanah
Biru in
South Sulawesi (except for the Alor photo, which is from Nusa Tenggara).
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Ara Town Center |
House Gable in
Ara |
Kapal Layar
Mesin (KLM) - Alor |

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Boat at Tanah Biru |
Boat at Tanah Biru |
Michael Inside a 35m Phinisi |
2001: The next group of pictures is from
Batulicin (Slippery Rock), Kalimantan Selatan,
where the 36m Phinisi was built. We met
with Pak Haji Abdul Wahab there, and began
construction by lofting the shapes of the
mould frames - a first for Batulicin.
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Right click on any image here or on any of the larger
images to save it.
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Builder
p'Haji Wahab, Owner & I |
Builder
p'Haji Wahab's Family |
Phinisi / KLM at Batulicin |
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Computer Plug In...! |
Designed by Computer |
Lofted by Hand in Borneo |

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Lena & Crew |
The First Mould Frame...! |
2004: The following group of photos is from our
36m Phinisi
"Homecoming" trip during November - December 2004, during
which the 36m Phinisi of our design made her first
voyage to Ara in South Sulawesi in order to visit the
boat builders' original home. Our additional purpose in visiting
Indonesia a second time was to begin the design of a new Phinisi in the
tradition of the more modern KLM types... a new
30m Kapal Layar
Mesin for charter use. These photos are from South Sulawesi, where a ceremony was held to commemorate the launching of the
36m Phinisi.
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photo. Right click on any image here or
any larger image to save it...
|
Ka Su So Near Ara |
Boats of Ka Su So |
The Beach at Ka Su So |

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Boatbuilding Apprentices |
Their Dance Troupe |
Apprentices Start the Journey |
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Apprentice Procession |
Apprentice Ceremony |
Ceremonial Boat |
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Ara Women Gather |
Ara Woman |
2006:
The following photos are from our trip to Indonesia during May & June 2006 in order to begin construction of a new
cargo style phinisi, locally called Kapal Layar Mesin (KLM) for charter use. Kapal Layar Mesin translates as "Motor Sailor" and reflects the presence of the older sailing phinisi bow, bowsprit, and fore mast. These pics were taken fairly far up the river near Sangkulirang, Kalimantan Timur where we lofted the hull shape and built the actual mould frames for this new vessel.
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Large KLM |
Two KLM Aft |
Two KLM Forward |

|
Building the Moulds |
Lofting Floor & Mould Frames |
Builder
p'Haji Abdul Wahab (standing) |
The following photos taken during our 2006 trip are from South Sulawesi where we again visited the home of the Konjo builders at Tanah Biru and Ara. We made this side trip in order to re-acquaint ourselves with the boat building activities in Tanah Biru, and to say hello to several of the local builders we have come to know. These photos illustrate the beach and the boat building methods in use in Tanah Biru, South Sulawesi.
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Stem & Planks - Tanah Biru |
Plank Edge Fastenings |
Frames - Tanah Biru Style |
KLM Starb'd - Tanah Biru |
KLM Portside - Tanah Biru |