How much does dry dock cost for a wooden phinisi in Indonesia?

An annual yard period — haul-out, antifouling, routine recaulking, and relaunch — typically costs IDR 50–200M depending on vessel size, yard location, and what the hull inspection reveals. Bali yards charge more than South Sulawesi yards. Wooden charter vessels generally need at least one haul-out per year in tropical waters, and the yard period removes the boat from charter earning for 3–8 weeks. Major structural work (frame replacement, replank sections) every five to ten years adds IDR 500M–2B+ when it falls due.

Can you get insurance for a wooden phinisi in Indonesia?

Yes, but it requires more effort than insuring a fibreglass vessel. Some international underwriters decline the wooden-hull commercial category entirely; others require a current BKI class certificate or recent marine survey. Indonesian domestic insurers including Tugu Pratama, Wahana Tata, and Jasindo are generally more willing to underwrite the category. Hull and machinery premiums for a wooden Indonesian-flag commercial vessel typically run 1.5–4% of agreed value per year — higher than the 0.8–2% norm for fibreglass recreational yachts. P&I coverage for a small passenger vessel adds approximately USD 5,000–30,000 annually.

Phinisi Operating Costs,
Line by Line

Q: How much does it cost to run a phinisi liveaboard per month?

For a mid-tier 28–35 metre phinisi with 10–15 crew, total monthly operating costs typically fall in the range of IDR 100–200M (approximately USD 6,400–12,800). Budget open-trip operations run lower, around IDR 50–100M/month; large luxury boats with full crew and premium provisioning run considerably higher. These are estimates — no official Indonesian industry figure exists. The Riara Marine builder blog cites IDR 50–100M/month as a floor figure, useful as a published reference but treat it as a single-source minimum from a party with a commercial interest in the numbers looking favourable.

Q: What are typical phinisi crew salaries in Indonesia?

There is no official government wage table for charter-vessel crew. Based on triangulation against regional minimum wages (Bali UMP 2024: IDR 2.81M/month; West Manggarai base: IDR 2.1–2.3M/month) and reported industry practice, a budget-boat captain earns approximately IDR 7–15M/month, rising to IDR 15–30M+ on luxury vessels. Deckhands earn IDR 3–5M/month at budget tier. Dive guides typically earn IDR 4–8M/month plus tips. Total crew payroll for a 10-person boat ranges from IDR 30–70M/month depending on tier. All figures are estimates.

Q: What are current Komodo National Park fees for liveaboard operators?

The IDR 3.75M per-person scheme announced in 2022 was postponed and never implemented as of 2025. The current structure is componentised: foreign visitor entrance and conservation fees run approximately IDR 150,000–275,000 per guest per day (weekday vs weekend), with diving supplements and ranger fees on top. Operators commonly bundle these at roughly IDR 400,000–500,000 per foreign guest per day for dive liveaboards. Tariffs change and must be confirmed directly with the park authority before quoting guests — do not rely on published figures more than a few months old.

What it costs to keep a 25–40 m liveaboard crewed, seaworthy, insured and legal — crew, dry dock, insurance, fuel, park fees and mooring, every figure flagged.

A month, budget to mid tier (estimate): IDR 50–120M
A year, mid-tier model (estimate): IDR 1.2–2.35B
Of replacement value on maintenance: 7–12%
Off charter each year in the yard: 3–8 weeks

A month, budget to mid tier (estimate): IDR 50–120M
A year, mid-tier model (estimate): IDR 1.2–2.35B
Of replacement value on maintenance: 7–12%
Off charter each year in the yard: 3–8 weeks

Running Costs Matter
More Than the Price

Buyers spend months debating IDR 3B or IDR 6B for a hull, then far less time on what it costs every month in the water. No Indonesian authority publishes an OPEX table, so every line here is triangulated and flagged.

See the line items

A Month on the Water

Crew payroll, budget boat: IDR 30–70M+; Before BPJS and THR (estimate)
All-in, mid-tier 28–35 m: IDR 100–200M; 10–15 crew (estimate)
Builder's published floor: IDR 50–100M; Riara Marine (single-source)
Fuel per three-night trip: IDR 7–14M; Mid-tier burn (estimate)

Illustrative annual model

One Year, Line by Line

A mid-tier 30 m liveaboard running 130 charter days a year from Labuan Bajo. Every figure is an unaudited estimate — the structure and weight of each line matter more than the total.

01

Crew payroll, 12 crew

IDR 45–70M a month; excludes BPJS and THR

IDR 540–840M

Estimate
02

Dry dock and yard period

3–8 weeks off charter; includes antifouling

IDR 80–200M

Estimate
03

Ongoing maintenance

Caulking, varnish, bilge and systems

IDR 80–200M

Estimate
04

Insurance, H&M + P&I

2–3% of hull value plus P&I

IDR 100–250M

Estimate
05

Fuel, engine + genset

130 charter days at mid-tier burn

IDR 150–300M

Estimate
06

Mooring and harbour dues

Labuan Bajo base; confirm with KSOP and Pelindo

IDR 30–80M

Estimate
07

Komodo NP fees

Passed to guests, or this if bundled

IDR 50–100M

Approximate
08

Food and provisioning

10 guests at IDR 400–500k a day

IDR 200–400M

Estimate
09

Licences and certificates

Annual renewals, BKI, TDUP or SIUPAL

IDR 20–80M

Estimate
Total indicative range, per year

IDR 1.2–2.35B

Riara Marine's builder model: IDR 1.5–2B a year for a 10-cabin boat (single-source).

Komodo National Park

Park Fees Per Guest

The IDR 3.75M per-person scheme of 2022 was postponed and never implemented as of 2025. Today's fee is componentised — and set by decree, so it can change mid-season.

Entrance and conservation: about IDR 150–200k a day on weekdays, 225–275k on weekends.
Diving IDR 100–150k a day; ranger IDR 80–150k a visit; vessel IDR 100–200k a day.
Bundled all-in: about IDR 400–500k per foreign guest per day (approximate).
A 10-guest, five-day trip inside the park: IDR 20–25M in fees alone.

Komodo park fees explained

Where the Year Goes

Fixed costs run all year; revenue does not. Map the calendar before you model the money.

April – November

Komodo High Season

Labuan Bajo berths run about IDR 0.5–1.5M a day; 120–150 charter days can still mean IDR 30–80M in harbour costs (estimate).

Every charter

Fuel and Provisioning

A three-night trip burns 800–1,400 litres — about IDR 7–14M. Food runs IDR 300–700k per guest per day (estimate).

Komodo wet season

Reposition or Wait

Boats repositioning to Bali berth at Benoa Marina for about USD 0.50–1.00 per foot per day (estimate).

Once a year

Dry Dock

Haul-out, antifouling and recaulking: IDR 50–200M and 3–8 weeks earning nothing (estimate).

Annual renewals

Certificates

Safety certificate, load line, radio licence, SIUPAL or TDUP and BKI class: IDR 20–80M a year (estimate).

Without warning

Unplanned Downtime

A failed safety spot-check ties the boat up; one storm-opened seam can cost IDR 50–200M and three to six weeks ashore.

Questions Operators Ask

Every figure is an estimate unless marked. Confirm tariffs, wages and premiums before you quote or commit.

Talk through your numbers

How much does it cost to run a phinisi liveaboard per month?

A mid-tier 28–35 m phinisi with 10–15 crew typically runs IDR 100–200M a month (about USD 6,400–12,800). Budget open-trip boats run around IDR 50–100M; large luxury boats considerably more. All estimates — no official Indonesian figure exists.

What are typical phinisi crew salaries in Indonesia?

No official wage table exists. Triangulated against Bali UMP 2024 (IDR 2.81M a month) and industry practice, a budget-boat captain earns about IDR 7–15M a month, IDR 15–30M+ on luxury vessels. Deckhands earn IDR 3–5M; dive guides IDR 4–8M plus tips. All estimates.

How much does dry dock cost for a wooden phinisi?

An annual yard period — haul-out, antifouling, routine recaulking, relaunch — typically costs IDR 50–200M and takes the boat off charter for 3–8 weeks. Bali yards charge more than South Sulawesi. Major structural work every five to ten years adds IDR 500M–2B+ (estimate).

What are current Komodo National Park fees for liveaboards?

The IDR 3.75M scheme of 2022 was never implemented as of 2025. Entrance and conservation run about IDR 150,000–275,000 per guest per day, plus diving and ranger fees. Operators bundle roughly IDR 400,000–500,000 per foreign guest per day. Confirm with the park authority before quoting.

Can you insure a wooden phinisi in Indonesia?

Yes, with effort. Some international underwriters decline wooden commercial hulls; others require BKI class or a recent survey. Tugu Pratama, Wahana Tata and Jasindo are more willing. H&M runs about 1.5–4% of agreed value a year; P&I about USD 5,000–30,000 (estimates).

Where Do Your Numbers Sit?

Send the boat and operation you are considering, and we will talk through the variables that move your costs. No one can pay to change what we publish.

Talk through the numbers

Phinisi Operating Costs, Line by Line

Running Costs Matter More Than the Price