Indonesia’s famed phinisi schooners are more than boats—they’re floating legacies of craftsmanship, culture, and sustainability. Handcrafted using traditional techniques passed down through generations, phinisis reflect the soul of the archipelago’s seafaring heritage. At the heart of each vessel lies a careful selection of Indonesian wood for durability, beauty, and how it shapes the vessel’s character on the water.
Celestia Yacht, a 45-meter luxury phinisi, exemplifies this tradition. Built by skilled artisans from Sulawesi using time-honoured methods and ethically sourced wood, Celestia is a modern masterpiece honouring ancient traditions. But what woods give this yacht strength, elegance, and timeless allure?
1. Ironwood (Kayu Ulin) – The Backbone of Strength
One of Indonesia’s most prized woods, Ulin (also known as Bornean ironwood), is renowned for its extraordinary density and resistance to rot, termites, and marine borers. This Indonesian wood is a top choice for hulls and keels, areas exposed to constant contact with water.
In phinisi construction, Ulin forms the structural core, giving the vessel unmatched resilience. This ironwood provides a robust foundation on luxury yachts like Celestia while ensuring the yacht can endure years of exploration through Indonesia’s diverse waters, from Komodo to Raja Ampat.
2. Teak (Kayu Jati) – The Elegant Performer
A staple in both boatbuilding and fine furniture, teak is valued for its rich golden tone, natural oils, and high tensile strength. Indigenous to Java and cultivated sustainably, teak is often used in decking, interiors, and detailing where aesthetics matter.
On Celestia Yacht, teak is likely chosen for her deck and indoor flooring—not just for its beauty but also because it remains cool underfoot and weathers gracefully over time. Its ability to withstand sun, salt, and water makes it ideal for barefoot luxury sailing.
3. Bitti Wood (Kayu Bitti) – The Traditional Choice
Bitti wood, native to Sulawesi, has been a favourite among konjo boatbuilders for centuries. Though not as widely known internationally, bitti is crucial in traditional phinisi construction due to its flexibility and ease of carving.
This makes it particularly useful for creating the curved lines of a phinisi’s bow and stern. For yachts like Celestia, bitty is used to honour tradition and preserve the vessel’s authentic Indonesian silhouette—instantly recognisable and elegant under full sail.
4. Merbau (Kayu Merbau) – The Modern Workhorse
Another dense and durable hardwood, Merbau, is often used as an alternative to teak or ironwood. It’s slightly more accessible while offering high resistance to decay and insects. With its deep reddish-brown hue, Merbau adds a warm, luxurious finish to structural and decorative elements.
For yachts like Celestia, which blend old-world charm with modern comfort, Merbau may be used in cabinetry, walls, and furniture. It offers strength without compromising on visual appeal.
5. Bangkirai – The Durable Decking Option
Bangkirai, often used in decking and outdoor applications, is another wood native to Southeast Asia that finds its way into boatbuilding. It’s valued for its weather resistance and affordability and is often used in areas that demand strength and cost-efficiency.
While Celestia Yacht leans toward premium materials like teak and ironwood, bangkirai may still be incorporated in secondary areas or crew quarters due to its practical benefits.
Sustainable Sourcing and Ethical Craftsmanship
An important consideration in modern phinisi construction is the ethical sourcing of Indonesian wood. Yachts like Celestia are luxurious and built with environmental responsibility in mind. Collaborating with local shipyards in Sulawesi that utilize sustainably managed and legally harvested woods preserves the legacy of phinisi building. This approach ensures that Indonesia’s forests remain unharmed while maintaining traditional boat crafting practices. By blending time-tested materials with eco-conscious choices, yachts like Celestia are stunning and sustainable. They are designed to sail with purpose and respect for nature.
The allure of an Indonesian phinisi comes from its craftsmanship, with each wooden plank narrating tales of tradition and nature. From the dense strength of ironwood to the refined grace of teak, these materials form the lifeblood of vessels like Celestia Yacht, marrying form with function, heritage with luxury.
As travellers step aboard Celestia, they’re not just entering a yacht. They’re stepping into a living expression of Indonesia’s maritime soul, carried forward by the winds and rooted in wood.
