The gap between a nine-month hull and a two-year yacht is rarely the hull itself – it is the fit-out. A plain 30 m hull can be planked and framed in about 9-12 months, but the interior, systems and certification of a charter liveaboard can double that. Size, timber supply and crew set the floor; the specification sets the ceiling.
Reported build windows
- 15-20 m: about 10-14 months.
- 20-30 m: about 14-20 months.
- 30-45+ m custom yacht: 20-24+ months.
Treat these as reported ranges. A bare working hull sits at the fast end; a fully fitted dive liveaboard sits at the slow end of the next size up.
What actually moves the date
- Timber availability and moisture – green wood cannot be forced.
- Crew size and whether the yard runs parallel builds.
- Owner change-orders mid-build, which reset schedules.
- Payment cadence – work pauses when a stage payment is late.
- Weather and the launch window, chosen around tides.
How to protect your timeline
Freeze the specification before keel-laying, keep stage payments prompt, and build ceremony dates into the plan. The full sequence is on the build-process page, and how the schedule maps to money is on the cost guide.
Ask about current keel-laying windows or email sales@komodoluxury.com
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build a wooden boat at Bira?
About 10-14 months for 15-20 m, 14-20 months for 20-30 m and 20-24+ months for 30-45+ m, depending mostly on interior fit-out. A plain 30 m hull can be done in roughly 9-12 months of hull work.