Indonesia finds luxury use for humble sailing vessel

Wooden ships augmented by rock-star features provide leisure cruises

Lamima, the world's largest working wooden yacht at 65 meters, charters for $20,000 per day. (Courtesy of Lamima)

IAN LLOYD NEUBAUER, Contributing writer

August 9, 2019 14:30 JST

LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia -- The traditional phinisi vessel -- a twin-mast, seven-sail schooner with elongated bowsprits -- once humbly traveled around the 17,504 islands of the Indonesian archipelago transporting people and cargo, going on raids or catching fish. Now they are enjoying a revival as luxury boats for high-end tourists.