33 Meter Charter Phinisi - KLM
Larger Aft Perspective | Aft Perspective Above | Forward Perspective | Perspective Aft Port
Bridge Deck Layout | Main Deck Layout | Lower Deck LayoutCopyright 2009 Michael Kasten
Concept
The 33 meter design shown here was developed as an intermediate size halfway between the smaller 30 Meter KLM that we developed in 2004, and the larger 36m KLM - Dunia Baru that we developed in 2006. These vessels are all modeled after the traditional Indonesian Kapal Layar Mesin - literally translated as "boat-sail-machine" or more commonly called a "Motor Sailor." In Indonesia they are just called "KLM" or sometimes "Cargo Phinisi."
Among the images linked above, we can see that at 33 meters on deck the design is plenty large enough to carry the double upper decks. Yet another design we've developed in this lineage is a 50m KLM..!
Much of the information below is virtually identical to that provided for our other KLM designs, since they all share the same purpose and the same styling inspiration: i.e. the working KLM types of Indonesia. For a complete introduction to the history of the traditional Indonesian Phinisi types as well as the relatively newer KLM types, please see our Phinisi History web page.
The Traditional Kapal Layar Mesin...
These craft are very common throughout Indonesian waters, and are used as cargo vessels. They are built nearly everywhere in Indonesia in one form or another, and in sizes ranging from 25 meters to over 50 meters. The KLM are in fact the "semi-trucks" of the Indonesian archipelago, just as the sailing Phinisi had been before them.
The KLM are heavily based on the older sailing types of Phinisi (also spelled Pinisi) - so much so that the KLM are often called Phinisi. The KLM bow is identical to the older sailing vessels - complete with the sailing Phinisi foremast, standing-gaff sail, gaff tops'l, jib sails and bowsprit. From amidships aft though, the KLM differ from the sailing Phinisi altogether.
Aft, the sailing Phinisi would traditionally have had a pointed stern and overhanging aft deck like that on our sailing phinisi design, the 36m Phinisi. By contrast, the KLM hull has a motor vessel stern. In other words the KLM stern is wide and the "run" is straight and relatively flat. We would refer to this as having a "counter-stern" with a transom at the end.
The KLM have a broad stern, usually with an overhanging deck. Aft of amidships the working KLM usually have a two story superstructure beginning about two thirds of the deck length from the bow, thus considerably less long than on the design you see above. On cargo craft, the lower story is at deck level and is used for the galley and crew, while the upper story contains the bridge and captain's quarters. Of course there are many local variations...!
A few photos of traditional KLM types can be found on our Indonesia Pictures web page.
The KLM as a Yacht...?
In order to create a luxury yacht using the traditionally built KLM has mainly been a matter of sizing and arranging the cabins for their new purpose and to refine the hull shape for use as a yacht, rather than as a much more burdensome cargo vessel.
As a bonus, the more refined yacht hull shape is much more comfortable in the sea than the much more boxy cargo hull types, which have a reputation for having a rather harsh and unkind motion when not deeply laden with cargo. After all, a yacht need only carry a load of fuel, food, passengers, and their water toys.
Additional goals have been to provide greater strength and longevity of structure than is found among local craft. Our aim in so doing has been to reduce maintenance, to provide a high degree of comfort, improve the performance under power, and to increase the long term safety of the ship.
For more information about how we have accomplished such goals with these vessels, please see our Phinisi Building web page.
Comfort and privacy have been primary goals. Given the overall size, the interior layout is not at all crowded. Given that the vessel will be sailing in the tropics, excellent ventilation has been given the highest priority. Each cabin has a private head and shower and all accommodation spaces are air conditioned.
The Layout...
The requirement in this case was to achieve generous guest cabins below, and to provide an owner's private "grand suite" on the upper Bridge Deck. Also on the Bridge Deck are the captain's cabin, a generously sized piloting area, and a promenade deck forward of the bridge accessible from the forward deck.
On the Main Deck forward, entertaining can take place outside where most of one's tropical living will be done anyway. On the main deck aft, we put a generous lounge within the forward end of the house for the best view, and filled the rest with a large galley, walk in refrigerator, and laundry.
On the aft main deck is a covered "veranda" arranged to serve dual use as a dive shop and as a covered exterior buffet / lounge, open to the air. Quite a good place for open air sleeping too...!
On the Lower Deck forward are four large guest suites plus a forward cabin for two stewards, the guides, or possibly the dive master and assistant. The forward bunk room is also viewed as being an ideal cabin for teenage guests who may be aboard with their parents - allowing them privacy yet good access to the other guest cabins. Below decks amidships is the engine room, located right below the lounge. Below and aft are cabins for the crew.
In total, there is sufficient accommodation space for a ship's complement of two owners, plus ten guests, a cook, cook's assistant, captain, mate, engineer, second engineer, dive master, dive assistant, two deck hands, and two stewards. This amounts to around 10 to 12 crew - the preferred arrangement for chartering in Indonesia. On a vessel of this size that each crew member must be well versed in several talents...!
For private use there may not need to be such a large crew, although if you wish to be thoroughly pampered... you can be!
Summary
The best introduction to this design is to have a look at the KLM layout drawings linked at the top of this page. If the KLM / luxury yacht / managed charter yacht concept is of interest, we offer our local knowledge and a thorough set of building plans that take full advantage of traditional methods and up to date world class structure.
For the most complete review of the KLM there are Study Plans and Estimating Plans available. When complete Building Plans are purchased we will be pleased to make local introductions to a proven team for building the vessel and an extended team for managing the construction. Please see our Plans List page for plans cost and ordering information
For complete information about a traditional Indonesian Phinisi of our design that is now sailing, please see the links below.
More Information...
If this or a similar phinisi / luxury sailing yacht is of interest, we offer a thorough design service. Our preference is to take advantage of traditional methods to the maximum extent possible, but to bring the construction standard up to a classification society compliant structure. We offer our custom design services by which we can modify these types of vessels to suit a variety of requests to change the size or to modify the layout as needed, and then follow that up with our local knowledge in order to facilitate construction.
For complete information about the design and building process that we recommend please see the following links, or for more information please inquire.
Our articles about building an Indonesian Phinisi or KLM:
Phinisi History | Phinisi Building | The Ultimate Charter Phinisi
Sailing vs. KLM Types | A Cargo Phinisi as a Yacht...?
Phinisi and KLM designs that we have created or have planned:
30m Sailing Phinisi | 36m Phinisi, Silolona | 38m Sailing Phinisi | 50m Sailing Phinisi
30m Charter KLM | 33m Charter KLM | 36m KLM, Dunia Baru | 40m Charter KLM | 50m Charter KLM
Descriptions of our adventures with these boats:
Silolona "Homecoming" | Indonesia Boatbuilding Images
Please see the Plans List page to review our available Boat Plans.
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