Interview with a Phinisi Builder: Preserving Craftsmanship Today

 Sitting under the shade of a coconut tree in South Sulawesi, I had the chance to chat with Pak Baco, a Phinisi boat builder whose hands hold decades of knowledge passed down through generations. These traditional Indonesian wooden boats have been sailing the seas for centuries, first used for trade and now often turned into elegant vessels for tourism, especially around places like Komodo and Raja Ampat. You can even see how some are built today, like those at https://www.komodoluxury.com/services/boat-construction/.

Pak Baco began learning the craft from his father when he was just ten years old. "I used to hand him nails and sand the wood," he said with a smile. Now in his fifties, he leads teams of younger builders, most of whom are his relatives or neighbors. “We still use simple tools, mostly wood and hand tools. It takes time and teamwork. No big machines here,” he added.

What makes Phinisi boats special, according to Pak Baco, is that each one is built by feel and experience—not off exact plans. The builders know the shape, size, and weight without needing detailed drawings. “You have to listen to the wood,” he explained. “Some pieces are strong, some have cracks. You choose what fits by looking and touching.”

Even though tourism has brought more interest to Phinisi boats, keeping the tradition alive isn’t easy. Younger people today often move to cities looking for different jobs. “Sometimes they think boat building is old-fashioned,” Pak Baco told me. “But I remind them: this skill feeds families, and it’s part of our identity.”

There’s hope, though. Local schools have started to introduce traditional boatbuilding workshops to keep the interest alive, and tourists who take boat trips often want to know how the vessels were made. This has brought more pride to the builders and their communities.

At the end of our chat, Pak Baco looked at one of the boats in progress and said, “This isn’t just wood. It carries memories, traditions, and the sea’s trust.”

Hearing his story, it’s clear that preserving Phinisi boatbuilding isn't just about saving an old craft—it’s about honoring a way of life that’s quiet, steady, and full of strength.