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Komodo Boat Construction is the editorial concierge for komodo boat construction — Traditional Phinisi and modern yacht builders in Komodo region. Senior specialists curate verified phinisi charters, premium liveaboards, private transfers, and bespoke itineraries across Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo, and the wider Flores region. Direct booking, transparent pricing, 24/7 in-trip support.
As an indicative planning band for 2027 delivery: a 25 m charter-standard phinisi lands around USD 250,000–600,000, a 30 m premium liveaboard around USD 600,000–1.2 million, a 35 m luxury boat around USD 1.2–2.2 million, and a 40–45 m flagship around USD 1.8–4 million. Published industry figures spread widely — basic 20–25 m hulls with simple accommodation are quoted from USD 100,000–250,000, while 45 m-plus superyacht-class projects are quoted at USD 4–8 million. The spread is spec, not length. Every number here is indicative and reconfirmed at quotation.
- What this page is: a size-by-size comparison of specification, capacity, build time and budget band.
- Who it is for: owners deciding how big to build before committing to a yard slot.
- Build time: roughly 12–18 months for a complete phinisi, 18–24 months for luxury, 24–36 months for superyacht-class.
- Where: Tana Beru, Bira, Ara and Lemo-Lemo (South Sulawesi) and Batulicin (South Kalimantan).
What does each size band actually give you?
Operating phinisi in Komodo and Raja Ampat cluster around 20–50 m LOA, 4.5–10.5 m beam and roughly 2.2–2.4 m draft, with 4–9 cabins and 6–16 guests — luxury flagships reaching 18–20. Named vessels with published specifications give useful anchors: Natural Phinisi is 21.38 m with a 4.50 m beam and 40 GT; Leticia is 29 m with a 7 m beam running twin Mitsubishi 4D10 engines and a 40 kVA generator; Neptune One is 39 m with 8 cabins for 16 guests; Majik Phinisi is 42 m LOA, 7.5 m beam, 2.2 m draft, 5 cabins for up to 8 guests with 13 crew.
| Package | LOA | Beam | Cabins / guests | Crew | Build months | Indicative band (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact charter | 24–26 m | 6.0–6.8 m | 4 / 8 | 7–9 | 10–14 | 250k–600k |
| Premium liveaboard | 29–31 m | 6.8–7.5 m | 5–6 / 10–12 | 9–12 | 14–20 | 600k–1.2M |
| Luxury dive flagship | 34–36 m | 7.5–8.5 m | 6–8 / 12–16 | 12–15 | 18–26 | 1.2M–2.2M |
| Superyacht-class | 40–45 m | 8.5–10.5 m | 5–9 / 10–20 | 13–18 | 24–36 | 1.8M–4M+ |
Draft sits at roughly 2.2–2.4 m across the range because Komodo anchorages, not naval architecture, set the limit. Cruising speed is typically 10–12 knots regardless of size.
What separates charter-standard from premium and luxury?
Three specification tiers explain most of the price spread, and they are worth choosing deliberately rather than drifting upward during the build.
| Item | Charter standard | Premium | Luxury flagship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin size | 12–15 sqm twins | 15–18 sqm twin, 18–23 sqm deluxe | 18–23 sqm deluxe, 20–30 sqm master |
| Air conditioning | Cabins only, night hours | Cabins + saloon, 24 h | Full vessel, redundant chillers |
| Power | 1 genset | 2 gensets | 2 gensets + inverter bank, solar assist |
| Watermaker | Optional, tanks only | Yes | Yes, duplex |
| Crew ratio | 0.6–0.8 per guest | 0.8–1.0 per guest | 1.0–1.4 per guest |
| Dive facility | Tanks on deck | Dive deck + compressor | Dedicated dive station, nitrox, 2 tenders |
| Extras | — | Sun deck, small spa area | Spa/massage room, yoga deck, beach club |
What drives cost per metre?
Length is the headline, but four other variables move the total more:
- Timber volume and grade. Ironwood for the keel and lower planking is the most expensive structural item and the slowest to season — heavy sections can be dried for up to a year. A wider beam consumes disproportionately more timber than extra length does.
- Class level. Building to BKI is the baseline for Indonesian flag. Electing international class such as Lloyd’s Register, RINA, ABS or DNV changes scantlings, documentation and survey attendance, and must be decided before the structural plan is frozen.
- Machinery and redundancy. Twin mains, two gensets, duplex watermakers and proper switchboards are what separate a boat that runs 120 charter days a year from one that cancels.
- Interior. The fit-out is 15–25% of the budget and it is where owners overshoot. Joinery hours, not materials, are the cost.
What does USD 250k buy versus USD 1.8M?
At the bottom of the range you get an honest, well-built wooden hull, four simple cabins with fans or night-only air conditioning, one genset, tanks instead of a watermaker, a single tender and a basic deck layout. It sells at the lower end of the Labuan Bajo day-rate spread, where traditional liveaboards are quoted at roughly IDR 15–50 million per day.
At USD 1.8 million you are buying a 35–40 m boat with six to eight properly sized cabins, a master suite of 20–30 sqm, full-vessel air conditioning, redundant power and water, a dedicated dive station, a spa or wellness space and a crew ratio above one per guest. That is the specification that supports the USD 2,500–10,000 per night bracket that well-positioned luxury liveaboards command, and the Raja Ampat cabin-charter market where luxury weeks for Jan–May 2027 are quoted at USD 5,200–12,000 per person.
Who should build which size?
Build 25 m if you run day trips and short 3D2N Komodo itineraries, want the lowest capital exposure and can accept lower nightly rates. Build 30 m if you want the best balance of build cost against charter revenue — it is where most successful Labuan Bajo charter businesses sit. Build 35 m+ if you are targeting dive groups, full-boat private charter or the Raja Ampat season, where cabin count and crew ratio directly set the rate you can hold. Do not build 40 m+ unless you have a distribution plan: the largest boats are the hardest to fill and the most expensive to idle.
Frequently asked questions
Why do published phinisi prices vary so much?
Because vendors quote different scopes. Some figures are hull-only from a beach yard; others include engineering, machinery, interior, class and delivery. Always ask what the number contains before comparing it.
Is a bigger boat cheaper per metre?
Per metre, yes, slightly. Per guest berth, often not, because larger vessels need more crew, more power and more redundancy. Cost per revenue-generating berth is the metric worth optimising.
How many cabins can a 30 m phinisi carry?
Typically five or six, for 10–12 guests, depending on beam and whether the master is placed on the main deck or above it. Pushing past that compresses cabins below comfortable charter size.
What is included in your build packages?
Design and engineering, timber and hull, machinery and systems, interior fit-out, rig and sails, safety equipment, class attendance and registration support, sea trial and handover. Park fees, crew, insurance, the operating company and marketing sit outside the build contract.
Can I upgrade the specification mid-build?
Structural changes after planking has started are expensive and can affect the stability calculation. Interior and equipment changes are manageable up to the fit-out phase. We freeze the general arrangement early for exactly this reason.
How much should I budget for annual running costs?
A common planning rule is 5–10% of build cost per year for routine maintenance, on top of crew, fuel, park fees and marketing. Treat it as an estimate; the detail is in our dry dock and annual maintenance program.
Is it cheaper to buy used?
Used 20–30 m phinisi are quoted at roughly USD 350,000–800,000 before refit, and refit budgets are easy to underestimate. Buying used makes sense when you need the boat this season, not when you need a specific layout.
When do I need to commit for a 2027 launch?
Earlier than most owners expect, because timber seasoning sets the real start date. See the 2027 yard slot calendar.
Get a package quotation
Komodo Boat Construction is operated by Komodo Luxury, part of Juara Holding Group, active in Komodo marine tourism since 2015. Tell us the itinerary, the guest count and the rate you intend to hold, and we will tell you honestly which size band supports it.
WhatsApp: +62 811 3823 875 · Email: sales@komodoluxury.com