Celebrating Thirteen Years Online
Copyright 2009 Michael Kasten, Kasten Marine Design, Inc.

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Indonesia Boatbuilding

A Photo Gallery

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).  

Click any image below to see a larger photo. 

Ara Town Center - Phinisi Statue  Ara Roof Gable Decoration  Cargo Phinisi at Alor

   Ara Town Center 

House Gable in Ara 

Kapal Layar Mesin (KLM) - Alor 

 

 Boatbuilding in South Sulawesi  Boats at Tanah Biru, Sulawesi  Michael Kasten in Tanah Biru, Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2001

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.   

Click any image below to see a larger photo.

Michael, Patti, and Haji Abdul Wahab - Builder of Silolona  Haji Abdul Wahab and Family  Cargo Phinisi at Batulicin, Kalimantan, Indonesia 

Builder p'Haji Wahab, Owner & I Builder p'Haji Wahab's Family Phinisi / KLM at Batulicin
 

Indonesian Electrical Plug...!  Computer in Use at Lofting Site - Kalimantan, Indonesia  Lofting the Silolona in Kalimantan, Indonesia 

Computer Plug In...! Designed by Computer Lofted by Hand in Borneo
 

Lofting the Silolona in Kalimantan, Indonesia  Lofting the Silolona in Kalimantan, Indonesia

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

Click any image below to see a larger photo. 

Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.  Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.  Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc. 

Ka Su So Near Ara Boats of Ka Su So The Beach at Ka Su So
  

Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.  Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.  Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.

Boatbuilding Apprentices Their Dance Troupe Apprentices Start the Journey
 

  Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.  Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.  Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc. 

Apprentice Procession Apprentice Ceremony Ceremonial Boat
 

Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.  Photo from South Sulawesi - Kasten Marine Design, Inc. 

Ara Women Gather Ara Woman
 

  

2006:  New! 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. 

Click any image below to see a larger photo. 

Large Cargo Phinisi - Sangkulirang, Kalimantan Two Cargo Phinisi- Sangkulirang, Kalimantan Cargo Phinisi - KLM - Sangkulirang, Kalimantan

Large KLM
Two KLM Aft
Two KLM Forward
 

 Lofting a 36 Meter Phinisi in Kalimantan Lofting in Kalimantan Lofting a 36 Meter Indonesian Phinisi

Building the Moulds
Lofting Floor & Mould Frames
Builder p'Haji Abdul Wahab (standing)
 

  

New!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. 

Click any image below to see a larger photo. 

Boats in Tanah Biru Boat Builders in Tanah Biru Boat Framing in Tanah Biru

Stem & Planks - Tanah Biru
Plank Edge Fastenings
Frames - Tanah Biru Style
 

 Tanah Biru Beach Tanah Biru Beach Boats

KLM Starb'd - Tanah Biru
KLM Portside - Tanah Biru
 

MORE INFORMATION

For more information on these or similar craft, please inquire


Check out these web pages related to the Indonesian Phinisi and KLM types of our design:
Phinisi History   |   Phinisi Building
 Sailing vs. KLM Types   |   A Cargo Phinisi as a Yacht...?
30m Sailing Phinisi   |   36m Phinisi   |  38m Sailing Phinisi  |   50m Sailing Phinisi
30m Charter KLM   |  33m Charter KLM  |   36m Charter KLM   |  40m Charter KLM  |  50m Charter KLM
36m Phinisi "Homecoming"   |   Indonesia Boatbuilding Images