The Evolution of an Indigenous Wooden Sailing Vessel
The "modern" wooden 'Pinisi' type has been derived from similar craft that have been in use in and around
Indonesia for several centuries. According to some sources, similar types have
existed prior to the 1500's, such as the
Arabian Dhow.
The sailing 'Pinisi' hull form in many ways resembles a cross between two traditional American sailing vessel
types, the Pinky Schooner and the Tancook Whaler, even though the 'Pinisi' hull type pre-dates those Western
hull forms by centuries... In other words, in its original form the 'Pinisi' was a double ended hull type,
having sharply raked stem and stern post. There was not a centerline rudder however, as with the American craft.
Instead the local Indonesian craft in the past most often made use of twin rudders, one on each aft quarter.
Used both as transport and as cargo vessels, the craft we are calling 'Pinisi' (variously spelled Pinissi,
Pinisiq, or Phinisi) have traditionally been built on the beach, where the logs have come from the forests of
Sulawesi (Celebes) and Kalimantan (Borneo), then transported to the boat building sites.
Historically, several interesting rituals and ceremonies have been part of building such a vessel, beginning
with choosing the right trees for critical parts of the structure. Just as with traditional wooden boat building
in the West, various rituals continue throughout the building process to initiate and celebrate each stage, such
as the all important laying of the keel.
The 'Pinisi' Tradition
A few clarifications of terminology are in order...
The Builders: Although the builders of these craft are commonly lumped under the category of
Bugis
peoples, there are four cultural sub-sets of boat builders to be separately distinguished in South
Sulawesi
(per the writings of Horst Liebner). The primary groups are the Konjo of the southern tip of South
Sulawesi (from near the towns of Ara, Bira, and Tanah Biru), the Mandar of West Sulawesi to the north of
Makassar, the Bugis from the region near Wajo on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Bone (the central gulf
between the two halves of Sulawesi), and the Makassarese from the region around the city of Makassar.
Among these groups, the Konjo of
South Sulawesi appear to have had the primary and most influential role as boat builders.
The Vessels: Technically, the term 'Pinisi' refers to the rig itself. In particular
'Pinisi' refers to the usual gaff-ketch type of rig. Locally this rig is referred to as a "seven sail
schooner" even though the aft gaff sail is slightly smaller than the forward gaff sail, in fact making it a
ketch rig.
Per Horst Liebner, the correct term for the sharp-stern sailing craft is 'palari' or 'lamba' among the Konjo
boat builders of
South Sulawesi. When the stem and stern post are straight, and are set at a sharply raked
angle to the keel, the hull form is the 'lamba' as opposed to the 'palari' which make use of curved timbers for
both stem and stern.
Since the term 'Pinisi' has come to be commonly applied to the hull form as well, we will use the word 'Pinisi'
here to refer to the sailing hull type for the purposes of our discussion...
These 'Pinisi' have traditionally been built in a variety of sizes. Although in the past the craft tended to be
smaller, it is not uncommon to find 30 to 40 meter vessels under construction, with an occasional Pinisi ranging
up to around 50 meters (close to 165 feet on deck) or larger.
The widespread use of a sharply raked stem and stern post is simply the practical result of making efficient use
of the timber lengths that can be conveniently brought down from the forest. In this way the vessel can be quite
large and still have a relatively modest length of keel timber. Conveniently, it also makes them very good sea
boats!
In many Indonesian boat building locations, good timber has become difficult to obtain, therefore costly. Many
builders have begun using shorter and shorter timbers, resulting in a compromised hull structure, particularly
in larger craft. With many of the ritual ceremonies becoming less and less common, some may suggest that this
too has conspired against the longevity of the ships.
One very significant improvement in the quality of available timber has been made possible by the Konjo builders
themselves... The builders of larger vessels have actually re-located! Quite a number of the Konjo
builders from Southwest Sulawesi have simply moved, in order to be close to larger supplies of good quality
timber.
In so doing, the builders of Southwest Sulawesi have literally carved a new building site and a new village out
of the jungle in Kalimantan (Borneo). Several new building sites are located in Kalimantan Selatan (South
Kalimantan) and Kalimantan Timur (East Kalimantan), on the banks of rivers close to the supply of timbers. It is
here that they have been able to obtain the size and quality of timbers necessary for building wooden vessels of
up to 50 or so meters in length.
The most advanced
of these builders have sought new sites located farther to the north
in Kalimantan Timur. When asked about this our friend and master builder
Pak Tandra
simply says, "We are boat builders. We will always follow the wood!"
Pinisi Hull Structure
In prior years, teak may have been one of the preferred woods to use for the structure, although locally
it is considered rather soft and inferior. Since teak is not especially favored and is actually no longer
plentiful, other tropical hardwoods are used. Presently in Indonesia, Ironwood and Bangkirai
are preferred for boat structures.
Obtained from the low land forests of Kalimantan, Ironwood is locally called Kayu Ulin (eusideroxylon zwageri).
One of the hardest woods in Indonesia, Ironwood has a specific gravity of 0.88 to 1.19...! Although quite heavy,
it has excellent physical properties and is not vulnerable to termites or other tropical wood eating insects or
fungus.
Kayu Bangkirai (shorea leavifolia) is also highly favored. Slightly less heavy than Ulin, Bangkirai makes
excellent planking, decking, stringers, and upper structure.
Many other tropical woods are locally used, most of which have proven to be inferior for one reason or other.
Built in the same way as the Indonesian Perahu type of hull, Pinisi have always been assembled using wooden pegs
to join the timbers. We would call the fasteners " trunnels" or tree nails.
The sequence of assembly is different than we in the West would ordinarily assume. First the keel is laid, then
the stem and stern post are erected, as usual. Then however, rather than setting up the whole array of sawn
frames or 'mold frames' these vessels are built by applying the planking first..!
First the planks next to the keel (the garboard planks) are fit and pegged to the keel. Then the next planks are
pegged to the garboard planks using "blind" dowels along the edges of the planks. One by one, additional planks
are added until there is the shape of a boat. This of course is all done by "eye" according to the experience of
each master builder.
With the planking nearly completed, frames are fitted into the hull shell. The frames are pegged to the planks,
to the keel, and to each other where the frame segments are joined. The frame butt ends either lap across the
keel (Sulawesi style), or are joined to a floor member (more common in Kalimantan), depending on the tradition
from which the individual boat builders have come.
This "planking first" approach may seem odd to our rigidly defined approach to shaping a ship in the West, but
this is as the builders among the Indonesian islands have done it since no one knows when. This is very much the
most common method used throughout Indonesian, Malaysian, and other South and Southeast Asian waters, and the
method has served the people very well indeed.
Different Boatbuilding Methods...
Clinker Built Boats: As built by Western boat builders, 'clinker built' boats have each plank's
lower edge lapped over the plank below. The laps are fastened with clench nails that function somewhat like
rivets all along the overlap. The clench nails go from outside inward, then are bent over slightly onto dome
shaped washers called roves (pronounced 'rooves') on the inside. In the West in modern times, the
fastenings are usually bronze. In prior times, both in the West and elsewhere, the lap would have either
been sewn with sinew or other strong fibers, or would have been fastened with 'trunnels' (tree nails).
With clinker built boats, the frames are applied afterward and are virtually always steam bent or
laminated out of thinner strips, glued in place. In the West, clinker built boats are almost always built
over
mould frames, though if the frames are laminated, one can
create the laminated frames first, attach them to the keel, then begin planking onto the frames.
In the West, small clinker boats are often built upside down, bigger ones upright. The clinker style produces
quite a light structure that is very rigid. Clinker style planking is usually reserved for smaller craft. There
is no absolute boundary, but presently somewhere around 40 feet on deck is where these Clinker built types give
way, and 'Carvel' planking begins to dominate.
Carvel Built Boats: Carvel planking refers to the method of planking where the planks are placed edge to
edge onto frames, which are placed first. By this method, the planks are fastened only to the frames.
The 'Pinisi' Method: In the areas surrounding the Indian Ocean, throughout Southeast Asia, and in some of
the SW Pacific, the planking is done first, prior to the framing being placed, much as with a clinker built boat, but
with the planks placed edge to edge. In order to do this, the planks are "blind edge fastened" to each other.
In centuries past, edge fastening was accomplished by sewing the plank edges together. In current times on both
larger and smaller craft, the plank edges are blind edge fastened using wooden dowels, locally called 'passak.'
Throughout these regions, mould frames are not used. Instead the boats are shaped "by eye" following the
traditions of the local builders in each area. After the planks are in place, frames are then fitted into the
emerging hull shape and fastenings are added to attach the frames to the planks.
The planking on all 'Pinisi' is therefore what Westerners would refer to as "carvel" even though the planking is
erected and fastened similarly to the "clinker" style of planking.
Although historically the Pinisi builders used 'passak' (trunnels) exclusively for edge fastening the planks,
iron drifts have now become commonplace, placed about every fourth 'passak.' These iron drifts and steel
bolts have not replaced 'passak' altogether. 'Passak' are still used at the plank scarfs, for the majority
of the plank edge dowels, and for fastening every other plank to the frames. Steel bolts are then used to
fasten the remaining intermediate planks. The steel bolts extend all the way through to also fasten the 'Lepe
Lepe' (ceiling stringers) inside the frames.
Per the writings of Adrian Horridge, the introduction of metal fastenings took place after the motorization of
these vessels. This system is very strong... it makes ultimate sense structurally.
Decks... East vs. West...
Several notes here regarding the deck structure... First though, it should be noted that it is extremely rare
indeed that a wooden vessel's deck does not leak somewhere...! Boatbuilders have used various strategies to
address this situation. Here is a brief summary of what has proven to work best, and why...
Commercial / Cargo Vessel Decks
On a cargo Pinisi built in Indonesia, and on any commercial traditional wooden vessel
or ship built in the West, the decks will always be a single layer, and they will be caulked and then 'paid'
with a mixture stuff to finish the seam.
In the West the caulking would first be a layer of spun cotton in the root of the seams, which would be topped
with oakum. Both would be hammered in to the seam using a mallet and a caulking iron. After that, the seams
would traditionally be 'paid' using a mixture of tar and rosin. The rosin used is essentially the same stuff
that's used for a violin bow... which makes it 'squeak' and vibrate the strings...!
The tar-to-rosin ratio is adjusted according to climate. On Alaskan fishing vessels for example, not much rosin
is required to stiffen the tar. For boats in the tropics, quite a lot more rosin is used. The objective is to
keep the tar stiff enough so that it does not soften in the sunlight to the point where it will "track" all over
the deck when being walked on, but not so stiff as to be inflexible or brittle... This is the traditional method
for commercial wooden vessels and it is not varied from too much if at all in the West.
On a cargo Pinisi, the decks are likewise always single layer. In Indonesia, all of the methods used in the
West are accomplished in exactly the same way, however the materials used are quite different. If done
traditionally, the deck planks are first caulked using a fine fluff gathered from a specific type of palm tree,
then topped with more coarse fibers from another type of palm, both of which are worked into the seams using a
mallet and a tool similar to a Western caulking iron. The deck planks are then 'paid' (i.e. topped off) by
sealing the seams with a rosin-like substance. This stuff is a locally derived natural substance that is
essentially boiled tree sap from a specific type of tree. If I discover what tree they use, I will include that
information here...
The traditional Indonesian methods and materials appear to work just as well as any of the traditional Western
methods or materials, if not better. The deck seam sealant (boiled tree sap) does stay sufficiently hard so it
does not track around the deck in the tropical heat, and it is more clear (i.e. not black tar based) so even if
it did soften, the tracks would not be objectionable.
In the West, the decks are either left 'dry' or they are coated with boiled linseed oil and / or tung oil
combined with just enough Japan dryer to get it to 'set up' so it is not sticky. In either case, the decks will
always be regularly sloshed with sea water to keep them clean and to preserve them, as well as to keep them
'swelled up' to help prevent leaks.
In Indonesia, we have observed the use of a similar deck coating substance on the well-built cargo Pinisi, the
composition of which I do not know, but which has a very similar appearance to linseed oil. Probably it is a
tree sap derivative.
In Indonesia a number of recent attempts have been made to substitute other materials such as nylon cordage for
the caulking (which is terrible because it is a synthetic, does not 'soak up' and does not give), combined with
epoxy for the seam compound (also terrible because it does not hold up in the sunlight and does not flex
sufficiently). Both of these are quite a lot more expensive than traditional materials, the epoxy in particular
(which is also toxic), and they do not in the end provide any better service.
In other words, if single layer decks are used, strictly traditional materials and methods are very much to be
encouraged in order to seal the deck seams, as would be done for a cargo or fishing vessel.
Yacht Decks...
On yachts though, several departures from these traditional methods are used. The more successful of them, I
will describe as follows:
Yachties often want to make use of teak top decks, as well as some alternative to tar and rosin. Most commonly
this approach takes the form of a plywood or planked sub-deck, topped with a separate teak deck.
If the sub-deck is of planking, then first the sub-deck planks are caulked and 'paid' in exactly the same way as
if it were a single layer deck - using the same methods and materials as described above.
After that, the deck is sealed in a way similar to the way a flat roof is waterproofed, i.e. using a method
similar to a 'hot roof.' Typically a layer of tar is applied onto the sub-deck which is then overlaid with heavy
tar impregnated felt (we often call it Irish Felt).
After the sub-deck is thoroughly sealed, it will then be planked over with a layer of teak decking of lesser
thickness. In Indonesia an excellent teak alternative is available, locally called Kayu Bangkirai (shorea
laevifolia, also known as shorea laevis). These top-deck seams are not 'caulked' with any kind of fibers,
however when finished the seams are 'paid' with a sealant that is poured or squeezed into pre-machined grooves
in the planking.
Typically on yachts, in order to avoid tar, there are a variety of other kinds of seam sealant used. The most
successful of these tar-substitutes in the West is one form or other of Thiokol which cures to a rubbery mastic
that does not 'track' around the deck. Boatlife is one type of seam sealant that uses Thiokol, however the best
of these products is always two-part.
Once applied, the seams need to be sanded flush. Usually the decks will be left 'dry' so the bond is not broken
(wood to Thiokol) by penetration of any oils. This seam compound regularly needs to be reefed out and renewed
(i.e. every few years) - and more often in the tropics.
Which Deck Is Best...???
Either method will work very well if it is done in a traditional manner using traditional materials and good
workmanship. In other words, this choice is primarily a matter of preference, i.e. whether you want the 'teak
decking' finish and look, or if you will be happy with a more commercial look to the top deck.
I have specified details for both methods, since there is no structural reason to prefer one over the other. The
total thickness will be the same in either case.
In my own view, I do not object to the commercial look of a single layer deck. If it is done nicely and
maintained well, it looks every bit as 'right' as a teak yacht deck - and also looks a bit more authentic on a
traditional craft.
If the deck is constructed of two layers, the tar and felt paper (or equal / similar stuff) layer is quite
important to get right. This layer will ideally be done in exactly the same way one would seal a flat roof on a
house, as long as 'flexible' materials are used and the thickness is adequate.
Whether the decks are single layer or double layer, it is inevitable that planked wood decks will eventually
leak. With a single layer deck, though it will in all likelihood leak more often, it will be far easier to find
the leaks and fix them.
Pinisi Sailing Rig
According to most sources, Indonesian and Malaysian sailing craft of all sizes originally carried a triangular
sailing rig of a type that is still in use by many of the smaller craft in Indonesia. With various Asian and
Western influences in the last several centuries, some of the larger craft began to make use of rectangular
sails similar to the Lateen or Lug rig, some of which are also still in use today.
The 'Pinisi' have been among the largest of the surviving local sailing craft. During the last hundred years or
so, the local sailing craft adopted the Western fore and aft gaff ketch rig. This rig ordinarily carries three
jibs, two gaff sails, and a tops'l above each gaff. These boats are referred to as Pinisi' or alternately may be
called "seven sail schooners."
Though it may have the look of a Western type of gaff rig, a few unusual features make the 'Pinisi' sail rig
unique. First, the gaffs are left "standing." The sails are laced to the mast and to the gaff. In order to reef
the sails, they are "brailed" to the spars. This is a very old method, but one that works well. Another
difference is that on the Pinisi, the forward mast and the bowsprit are built as a tripod or bipod, depending on
the local tradition. This makes practical use of conveniently available timber sizes.
For more information about the difference between the traditional Pinisi sailing types vs. the
more 'modern' motorized "KLM" cargo vessel types, please visit our
Sailing Pinisi web page.
Motors...!
Until the mid to late 1970's, the large fleet of cargo carrying Pinisi throughout Indonesia were strictly
sailing vessels. Since around 1978, there has been a push to motorize the fleet of sailing Pinisi. The presence
of an engine has changed these craft rather dramatically.
Currently, the vast majority of the local cargo fleet have been given engines. As a result, they are now
referred to as 'KLM' for Kapal Layar Mesin, literally translated as "Boat-Sail-Machine" or
"Motor Driven Sailing Vessel" more simply called a "Motor Sailor."
Even though the engines being used in most local Indonesian craft are always of a very small size in relation to
the size of the vessel, per Adrian Horridge many of these engine installations seem to have resulted in the
demise of the vessel itself. The presence of an engine allows the vessels to be used in ways that were not
possible under sail alone. For example, the boats can now be driven against the sea and weather. The
resulting stress on the structure seems to have conspired to shorten the life of these motorized vessels.
As a result, the presence of an engine has encouraged a number of changes, both to the hull shape, and to the
structure.... One extremely visible change has been to move away from the traditional "double ended" hull
form which we have referred to above as embodying the true 'Pinisi' type.
The KLM (motorized craft) have preserved the forward half of the traditional 'Pinisi' type,
complete with fore mast, gaff sail, tops'l, bowsprit and three jibs. The fore mast and gaff are used for
loading and off loading cargo, as well as to hang sails as emergency propulsion in the event of engine failure.
Under Indonesian law, the presence of the sails allows a substantial tax break for the cargo vessels, so the
forward rig is likely to persist for some time to come.
Gone though is the aft mast and sails, and in its place is a large cabin structure containing the bridge.
Although the bow remains virtually identical to the sailing Pinisi types, the KLM (motorized vessels) are given
a wide overhanging stern. Additionally, the keel is extended farther aft in order to provide support for a
rudder and to provide an aperture for the propeller.
The presence of engines in this fleet of wooden vessels has forced changes to the structure as well. In
addition to the usual 'wooden peg' fastened plank and frame structure, iron drifts and bolts are now used
throughout.
A further refinement to this would naturally be the use of hot dip galvanized bolts throughout, which oddly is
relatively rare in Indonesia, primarily due to its cost. In the motorized fleet, in my view an additional
refinement is needed; one that would allow the structure to better handle the stresses of an engine
installation. This would simply be to add substantial structural bulkheads at each end of the engine
space, combined with a pair of robust and long length engine bed timbers in order to spread the engine's forces
over a much larger portion of the hull's structure. Although we have seen substantial bulkheads being
used, we have not observed any vessels with heavy duty long length engine girders.
Throughout Indonesia, virtually all of the motorized Pinisi are vastly under-powered. A KLM of some 35 to
40 meters in size will ordinarily be given an engine of somewhere around 200 hp. This is adequate for
perhaps 5 knots in mild conditions. Many of these craft are given even less power in proportion to their
size. They are consequently quite slow, but very economical in terms of fuel use.
The Pinisi as a Charter Yacht
36 Meter Pinisi SILOLONA: In 2001 we were asked to design a new and improved, yet highly traditional
Indonesian Pinisi. During the summer of 2001 we journeyed to Sulawesi to research these types, and then to
Kalimantan Selatan in order to actually loft the body view of the hull and construct mould frames to guide the
shape.
The intent with this new vessel was multi-faceted. One of the primary
goals was to create a traditional, indigenous sailing 'Pinisi' for use
as a charter vessel throughout the eastern islands of Indonesia.
Additional goals have been to provide much greater strength and
longevity of structure than is lavished upon 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.
We have used this same approach with all of the Pinisi boats we have
designed for construction in Indonesia.
30 Meter Pinisi
DATU BUA:
Then late in 2007 we were asked to design a new 30m Pinisi that would be
capable under sail. At around 250 metric tons, this is considerably smaller than the 350 ton
Silolona, thus a much more handy and
affordable charter yacht. With a focus on good sailing performance, plus a charter-friendly layout, this design holds
very good promise. In 2008 with the ink barely dry on the
preliminary drawings and documents, construction was already
under way. Yikes...! A bit more advance planning is
definitely preferred.
38 Meter Pinisi AMANDIRA:
In 2009 we created a greatly improved version of the 36m Silolona. We extended
the design to 38 meters on deck, added a fully capable sailing rig, and
provided an interior layout better suited for use as a private yacht
with ample room for guests. Here, a generous owner's
stateroom is located aft on the main deck. Below forward, the guest
accommodations are equally divided into four luxury cabins. In
late 2009, building was begun on Kalimantan. In 2015 the vessel is under
charter to Aman Resorts.
50 Meter Sailing Pinisi: Early in 2007 we were asked to create a new 50m
Pinisi design that would make use of the traditional rig 'styling' but that would be much more
capable under sail. You can review this design at our 50m
Pinisi web page. At around 650 metric tons, this is nearly twice as big as the
original 36m Pinisi. Weighing over 1.4
million pounds, this is really quite a large
wooden vessel..!
The KLM as a Charter Yacht
30 Meter Kapal Layar Mesin: In 2004 we were asked to develop a prototype 30 meter charter
yacht, which was to be based heavily upon the very common Kapal Layar Mesin types now being used to carry cargo
throughout Indonesia. Please see our
30m KLM web page for more
information on this prototype design.
36 Meter KLM DUNIA BARU: Fairly soon after that in 2005 we were asked to develop a
much larger 36 meter KLM as a luxury charter yacht. With the
design completed, during the summer of 2006 we went to Indonesia once
again in order to loft the shape and build mould frames for this new 36m KLM,
the Dunia Baru. This vessel was built in Kalimantan Timur
from 2006 to 2008 and moved to Surabaya and Bali for completion of the
systems and the interior joinery. The Dunia Baru
is now fully completed (2014) and available for charters. You can see this design on our
36m KLM web page.
The owner's mission statement was that when finished, the Dunia
Baru will be the ultimate
example of what is possible with these craft. This has been
precisely the outcome. It is the natural result of proper design and
planning, top quality
indigenous boat building skills, first rate timber, hard work,
a good business plan, and an owner dedicated to making this the
very finest Indonesian
Pinisi in existence. Mission
accomplished.
50 Meter Kapal Layar Mesin:
We have developed a prototype
50m KLM design, also
aimed at charter use in Indonesia. So far, this is a prototype design only but could
easily be developed to suit a new purpose, whether as a
charter vessel or private yacht.
New Concepts...!
Most recently I have developed a series of wooden boat
designs that are specifically for construction in
Indonesia. These are more in the direction of the
hull types that would have been seen by the Indonesian
people when the Western ships of discovery sailed there
during the 1500's. They were the Portuguese
Caravelles... Although the specific vessel types that
inspired the following designs are the Privateers of the
mid to late 1700's, they are not so far removed from the
original Caravelles. In this case, they are
Brigantine Schooner rigged up to a length of 31 meters,
with the larger 45m Privateer being Barquentine Schooner
rigged. Here are the links...
17m Flores
Privateer: A 56' brigantine
schooner designed as a private yacht for construction in
Indonesia with tropical hardwoods. Accommodations
for two owners, two informal guests, and four crew.
31m Komodo
Privateer: A 102' brigantine schooner
designed as a charter yacht designed for
construction in Indonesia. The objective with this
design has been to contain the same guest suite layout
as our larger 36 to 38 meter sailing Pinisi types within
a smaller overall hull size, for the sake of economy,
but without compromising the guest cabins or the degree
of luxury they offer. A secondary objective has
been to introduce a different design to the Indonesian
charter game having much less windage for the sake of
enhanced sailing performance.
45m
Kalimantan Privateer: A 148'
Barquentine for charters and worldwide sailing.
Designed for ease of building in Indonesia using top
quality tropical hardwood. Accommodations in five
very large suites for 10 guests. An alternate
layout could provide 10 en-suite cabins for twenty
guests on dive adventures or sail training cruises.
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