A cargo phinisi and a luxury liveaboard can share the same hull and differ entirely above deck – and in the business case. The hull is a fraction of the cost; the fit-out, systems and certification of a charter boat are where the money and the revenue both sit. Deciding which boat you are building is a financial decision as much as a design one.
Same hull, different boat
Cargo heritage and luxury charter start from the same broad wooden hull. What changes is everything you add: interior, systems, certification and crew standard.
The two business cases
- Cargo / working – lower fit-out, lower running revenue, simpler certification.
- Luxury liveaboard – higher fit-out and certification, but charter revenue to match.
What the owner is really buying
A charter liveaboard is an income asset that must satisfy guests and surveyors; a private or working boat answers only to its owner. The cost drivers are broken down on the cost guide, and the hull choice on the boat-types page.
Frame your build's business case or email sales@komodoluxury.com
Frequently asked questions
Can one phinisi hull be either cargo or luxury?
Yes. The same wooden hull can be finished as a simple working boat or a luxury liveaboard. The hull is a fraction of the cost; the fit-out, systems and certification decide both the budget and the business case.