Waow

WAOW 2 begins as a dream.

Then come the trees.
The hands.
The tools.
The patience.

And slowly, almost imperceptibly, a shape rises from the earth.

Born from the forest.
Destined for the sea.

For a little while, she belongs to neither—
reaching toward the sky,
held by the hands of men,
waiting for the water.



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WAOW 2 is in the shipyard.

The sea voyages, the remote reefs, the sunsets under sail - all of that still lies ahead.

And yet, some guests are already part of the journey. Through our participatory pre-sale, they are helping bring WAOW 2 to life while securing privileged access and preferential conditions for the years to come.

Long before the first departure, the adventure has already begun.

→ 🇬🇧🇫🇷🇩🇪 Links: https://linktr.ee/waowcharters?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=24535090-0139-4549-be13-e353567f6db4



📸 Lorine Grandjean

Golden hour, full sail… one of those magical moments we can’t wait to experience again aboard WAOW 2.



📸 Jay Monney

Five fascinating facts about traditional Indonesian phinisi

1. Built Without Formal Blueprints
Phinisi are not built from detailed architectural plans. Master shipbuilders rely on generations of inherited knowledge, proportions, and experience to shape the vessel. The hull form and structure are often determined by eye and tradition rather than computer design, making each boat slightly unique.

2. The Hull Comes Before the Frames
Unlike most Western shipbuilding methods where the skeleton is built first, traditional Indonesian boats often follow a “plank-first” technique. The outer hull planking is assembled early, and the frames are fitted afterward to reinforce the shape. This is one of the most distinctive aspects of Sulawesi boatbuilding.

3. A Boat Is Considered “Alive”
In Bugis and Konjo maritime culture, a boat is not just an object but something almost living. Important steps in the construction—such as laying the keel—are accompanied by traditional ceremonies and offerings asking for protection and safe voyages.

4. The Name “Phinisi” Refers to the Rig, Not the Hull
Strictly speaking, “phinisi” originally refers to the two-masted sailing rig, not the hull itself. The hull design belongs to a type of traditional Indonesian vessel called “palari.” Over time, the term phinisi came to describe the entire ship.

5. Entirely Built by Hand
Most phinisi vessels are still built using simple hand tools, without heavy industrial machinery. Shipwrights shape massive hardwood beams and planks by eye and by hand, using skills passed down through generations of craftsmen in South Sulawesi.



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