Sailing Learning By Doing · video

What this video covers

Traditional wooden Phinisi schooners are constructed on the beach in Tanabiru, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, using centuries-old maritime techniques.0:13 These two-masted vessels, typically 20 to 35 meters long and weighing up to 350 tonnes, feature hulls built from teak and ironwood sourced from Borneo or North Sulawesi.1:37 Builders rely on traditional methods, including manual chiseling and caulking with tree bark, though some newer vessels incorporate stainless steel threaded rods for structural reinforcement.8:24 Construction takes three to six months, often delayed by timber supply logistics.11:17 Once completed, the vessels are moved into the water by a manual "chain gang" of workers who drag the hull down the beach over 10 to 12 days, using jacks and grease to maintain stability.11:50 The process involves minimal measurement tools, with most work performed by eye and passed down through generations of master builders.5:08

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