Having retired in 2003 from a fast paced career in NYC and knowing I could never afford the size boat I really wanted, my life path brought me to Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago and to the island of South Sulawesi. Deep investigation into the history of the Bugis People and their long time use of wooden schooners "Pinisi's" will prove to be fascinating and enlightening, I can assure you of that. These historical links will take you back before the time of Columbus, before the time of Chinese Expeditions, and way before the time of the Dutch exploitation of these SPICE ISLANDS. 

Over the past 14 plus years, our little Traditional Fleet Community has created quite a little cruise industry operating throughout this great Archipelago. Our Pinisi schooners operate liveaboard diving programs and cultural expeditions to some fascinating destinations. The World Heritage Site of the Komodo National Park, The Asmat People of Southern part of Papua and even today try to get as close as possible to the Kratatau Volcano between the islands of Java and Sumatra. Our Surf Liveaboard boats ply the waters off the Western Coast of Sumatra and Timor.

Our days are filled with smoking volcanos, crystal clear waters and sunshine abounds !

I think it was in 1994 that I constructed my first boat named Ranger I, she was a fast sleek design based on a traditional island cargo boat and cost me around 9,000 USD, which for a 15 meter vessel with Vetus Marine engine, the price was not bad. As time passed and our construction business grew and now as 2008 approaches we have come to the point that SongLine Yachts is ready to position itself to the market. I am taking advantage of this BLOG to try out some of our stories to reconfirm to myself that we have an interesting background and some interesting wooden boat products.

We look forward to discussing wooden boats with all of you and provide the photo above of our home harbor Bira, South Sulawesi in the Republic of Indonesia.