2014 Wooden Boat Festival

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. Used both as transport and as cargo vessels, the craft we are calling 'Pinisi' have traditionally been built by hand on the beach, where the logs come from the forests of Sulawesi (Celebes) and Kalimantan (Borneo). These wooden craft have become much larger over time, with common sizes now being 100' to 150' or more. They are still used for carrying cargo. In the last decade or so there has been increased activity to build large charter vessels for the Indonesian Archipelago.